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Last updated: April 16, 2024
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  • Situated near the Rhine River, the Cologne (Koeln) Cathedral is of quintessential Gothic design and the most recognizable landmark of its namesake city. Construction began in 1248 and was completed in the late 1800s. The two towers are over 152 m (500 ft) tall.

    Situated near the Rhine River, the Cologne (Koeln) Cathedral is of quintessential Gothic design and the most recognizable landmark of its namesake city. Construction began in 1248 and was completed in the late 1800s. The two towers are over 152 m (500 ft) tall.

  • The Goethe House at 23 Grosser Hirschgraben in the old town of Frankfurt was the residence of the Goethe family until 1795. The family's most notable personality, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, was born there in 1749, lived there till the age of 16, and returned sporadically throughout his life. The house stands next to the Goethe Museum (on the right).

    The Goethe House at 23 Grosser Hirschgraben in the old town of Frankfurt was the residence of the Goethe family until 1795. The family's most notable personality, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, was born there in 1749, lived there till the age of 16, and returned sporadically throughout his life. The house stands next to the Goethe Museum (on the right).

  • The Eurotower (on the left) and Commerzbank Tower in the bankenviertel (financial district) of Frankfurt. The skyscapers were constructed 20 years apart, 1977 and 1997, respectively.

    The Eurotower (on the left) and Commerzbank Tower in the bankenviertel (financial district) of Frankfurt. The skyscapers were constructed 20 years apart, 1977 and 1997, respectively.

  • The Operturm (Opera Tower) in Frankfurt was opened in 2010 and is named after the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) that it faces, a corner of which may be glimpsed in the very center of the photo.

    The Operturm (Opera Tower) in Frankfurt was opened in 2010 and is named after the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) that it faces, a corner of which may be glimpsed in the very center of the photo.

  • Inaugurated in 1880, the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) in Frankfurt still serves as a major concert hall, as well as a site for plays. Operas, however, are performed in the new Oper Frankfurt (Frankfurt Opera).

    Inaugurated in 1880, the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) in Frankfurt still serves as a major concert hall, as well as a site for plays. Operas, however, are performed in the new Oper Frankfurt (Frankfurt Opera).

  • Fin de siecle architecture at the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) metro stop in Frankfurt.

    Fin de siecle architecture at the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) metro stop in Frankfurt.

  • An eccentric office building weaves its way through the financial district of Frankfurt.

    An eccentric office building weaves its way through the financial district of Frankfurt.

  • An architectural sandwich in Frankfurt.

    An architectural sandwich in Frankfurt.

  • The Chamber of Commerce Building in Frankfurt. The city has been Germany's financial center for centuries, and it is the home of a number of major banks and brokerage houses. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is Germany's largest and one of the most important in the world.

    The Chamber of Commerce Building in Frankfurt. The city has been Germany's financial center for centuries, and it is the home of a number of major banks and brokerage houses. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is Germany's largest and one of the most important in the world.

  • Monument honoring Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of mechanical movable type, in the Rossmarkt (old Horse Market) of Frankfurt. His invention in the mid-15th century launched the printing revolution and is regarded as one of the key developments of modern history.

    Monument honoring Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of mechanical movable type, in the Rossmarkt (old Horse Market) of Frankfurt. His invention in the mid-15th century launched the printing revolution and is regarded as one of the key developments of modern history.

  • An 18th century archway of the Palais Thurn und Taxis and 21st century skyscrapers (Nextower) provide for an interesting architectural juxtaposition in Frankfurt.

    An 18th century archway of the Palais Thurn und Taxis and 21st century skyscrapers (Nextower) provide for an interesting architectural juxtaposition in Frankfurt.

  • Located at the edge of the Hauptwache plaza is St. Catherine's Church, the largest Lutheran church in Frankfurt. Construction of the baroque church was completed in 1681. Destroyed by World War II bombing, it was rebuilt between 1950 and 1954.

    Located at the edge of the Hauptwache plaza is St. Catherine's Church, the largest Lutheran church in Frankfurt. Construction of the baroque church was completed in 1681. Destroyed by World War II bombing, it was rebuilt between 1950 and 1954.

  • An area of the Hauptwache plaza in Frankfurt. In the background is St. Catherine's Church.

    An area of the Hauptwache plaza in Frankfurt. In the background is St. Catherine's Church.

  • The city of Heidelberg lies in Baden-Wurttemberg on the River Neckar. A Roman fortress and settlement in the area was abandoned in A.D. 260. A new settlement began in the 5th century and came to be called Bergheim. Monastic estates were set up in the area over subsequent centuries. By 1196, the first reference to Heidelberg is recorded; this is considered the founding date of the city. The University of Heidelberg - Germany's oldest - was established in 1386.

    The city of Heidelberg lies in Baden-Wurttemberg on the River Neckar. A Roman fortress and settlement in the area was abandoned in A.D. 260. A new settlement began in the 5th century and came to be called Bergheim. Monastic estates were set up in the area over subsequent centuries. By 1196, the first reference to Heidelberg is recorded; this is considered the founding date of the city. The University of Heidelberg - Germany's oldest - was established in 1386.

  • Heidelberg Castle as viewed from a town square.

    Heidelberg Castle as viewed from a town square.

  • Heidelberg Castle was first a fortification built around 1398-1410. During the 16th and 17th centuries the fortress was turned into a castle with Gothic and Renaissance features. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today the Castle is used for banquets, balls, theater performances, and classical concerts. The structure is surrounded by a park.

    Heidelberg Castle was first a fortification built around 1398-1410. During the 16th and 17th centuries the fortress was turned into a castle with Gothic and Renaissance features. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today the Castle is used for banquets, balls, theater performances, and classical concerts. The structure is surrounded by a park.

  • Heidelberg Castle as seen from the rear.

    Heidelberg Castle as seen from the rear.

  • A few "air conditioned" rooms in the ruined section of Heidelberg Castle.

    A few "air conditioned" rooms in the ruined section of Heidelberg Castle.

  • The Heilliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) in Heidelberg is first mentioned in 1239. It was the third church to be built on the market place site and it took some 150 years to construct. From about 1706 to 1936 the church was divided by an internal wall that allowed both Catholic and Protestant services to be held within at the same time. In 1936 the wall was removed and the church became exclusively Protestant.

    The Heilliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) in Heidelberg is first mentioned in 1239. It was the third church to be built on the market place site and it took some 150 years to construct. From about 1706 to 1936 the church was divided by an internal wall that allowed both Catholic and Protestant services to be held within at the same time. In 1936 the wall was removed and the church became exclusively Protestant.

  • The Old Bridge in Heidelberg is a nine-arch stone bridge erected between 1786 and 1788 to replace earlier wooden structures. Parts of it were destroyed in 1945 by the retreating German army, but it was restored within two years.

    The Old Bridge in Heidelberg is a nine-arch stone bridge erected between 1786 and 1788 to replace earlier wooden structures. Parts of it were destroyed in 1945 by the retreating German army, but it was restored within two years.

  • View of Heidelberg and the Castle from the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit.

    View of Heidelberg and the Castle from the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit.

  • Another view of Heidelberg and the Old Bridge from the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit.

    Another view of Heidelberg and the Old Bridge from the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit.

  • Flower boxes overlook a street in Ottweiler, a town in the Saarland region that dates back to the late 14th century. In the second half of the 18th century Ottweiler was renowned for its fine white porcelain, but the industry closed and today Ottweiler porcelain is some of the rarest in the world.

    Flower boxes overlook a street in Ottweiler, a town in the Saarland region that dates back to the late 14th century. In the second half of the 18th century Ottweiler was renowned for its fine white porcelain, but the industry closed and today Ottweiler porcelain is some of the rarest in the world.

  • A duke's hunting lodge and rose garden, called the Pavilion, were constructed in the 18th century and today are one of the highlights of Ottweiler.

    A duke's hunting lodge and rose garden, called the Pavilion, were constructed in the 18th century and today are one of the highlights of Ottweiler.

  • The basilica of Sankt Wendel (St. Wendel) in the eponymous town near Trier. The site was originally named Basonevillare (Baso's farm) after the feudal lord who owned it. The Bishop of Verdun bought the town in the mid-7th century, and erected a church over the grave of a very popular hermit Wendelin who died near Basonevillare. The church became such a popular pilgrimage destination that eventually a new church had to be built and Wendelin's remains were transfered there. The area around the new church became a marketplace and a town called Sankt Wendel.

    The basilica of Sankt Wendel (St. Wendel) in the eponymous town near Trier. The site was originally named Basonevillare (Baso's farm) after the feudal lord who owned it. The Bishop of Verdun bought the town in the mid-7th century, and erected a church over the grave of a very popular hermit Wendelin who died near Basonevillare. The church became such a popular pilgrimage destination that eventually a new church had to be built and Wendelin's remains were transfered there. The area around the new church became a marketplace and a town called Sankt Wendel.

  • By 16 B.C. the Romans founded Trier, which eventually became the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. It is the oldest city in Germany and the oldest seat of a Christian bishop north of the Alps. The Porta Nigra (Black Gate) in Trier is the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps and was built between A.D. 186 and 200 and guarded the northern entrance to the city. After 1035, the Porta Nigra was converted into a church. During the Napoleonic Wars -- when Trier was occupied by the French -- Napoleon ordered that the Porta Nigra be restored to its Roman form.

    By 16 B.C. the Romans founded Trier, which eventually became the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. It is the oldest city in Germany and the oldest seat of a Christian bishop north of the Alps. The Porta Nigra (Black Gate) in Trier is the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps and was built between A.D. 186 and 200 and guarded the northern entrance to the city. After 1035, the Porta Nigra was converted into a church. During the Napoleonic Wars -- when Trier was occupied by the French -- Napoleon ordered that the Porta Nigra be restored to its Roman form.

  • The Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Trier is one of the most important early Gothic cathedrals in Germany. It was built over a Roman double church and completed in 1260. Its shape is in the form of a Greek cross and its floor plan resembles a 12-petaled rose, symbol of the Virgin Mary.

    The Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Trier is one of the most important early Gothic cathedrals in Germany. It was built over a Roman double church and completed in 1260. Its shape is in the form of a Greek cross and its floor plan resembles a 12-petaled rose, symbol of the Virgin Mary.

  • In 1615, the Elector Lothar von Metternich began to construct a Rococo-style palace in Trier; Archbishop Johann Philipp von Walderdorff completed the structure in 1756. Today the palace - considered to be one of the most impressive Rococo buildings in the world - houses the Trier city government offices.

    In 1615, the Elector Lothar von Metternich began to construct a Rococo-style palace in Trier; Archbishop Johann Philipp von Walderdorff completed the structure in 1756. Today the palace - considered to be one of the most impressive Rococo buildings in the world - houses the Trier city government offices.

  • Red dots mark the locations of fires burning in countries south and east of the Baltic Sea in this early April image. The scattered fires were probably set to clear land for agricultural purposes. The Scandinavian countries, Norway and Sweden, and Finland to the north of the Sea, are still blanketed in snow. From the left, the countries lining the Baltic on the south are Denmark, Germany, Poland, Russia (Kaliningrad), Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia. Belarus forms the lower right corner of the image. Photo courtesy of NASA.

    Red dots mark the locations of fires burning in countries south and east of the Baltic Sea in this early April image. The scattered fires were probably set to clear land for agricultural purposes. The Scandinavian countries, Norway and Sweden, and Finland to the north of the Sea, are still blanketed in snow. From the left, the countries lining the Baltic on the south are Denmark, Germany, Poland, Russia (Kaliningrad), Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia. Belarus forms the lower right corner of the image. Photo courtesy of NASA.

  • This satellite photo shows Northwest Europe. Visible are the Republic of Ireland (top leftmost), the United Kingdom (top left), France (middle left), Belgium (middle), the Netherlands (top middle), Germany (right), Denmark (top right), Luxembourg (between France, Germany, and Belgium), Switzerland (bottom middle), Italy (bottom middle), and Austria (bottom right); the latter three all cloud covered. Image courtesy of NASA.

    This satellite photo shows Northwest Europe. Visible are the Republic of Ireland (top leftmost), the United Kingdom (top left), France (middle left), Belgium (middle), the Netherlands (top middle), Germany (right), Denmark (top right), Luxembourg (between France, Germany, and Belgium), Switzerland (bottom middle), Italy (bottom middle), and Austria (bottom right); the latter three all cloud covered. Image courtesy of NASA.

  • Looking down an old street in Wittenberg to the Schloss Kirche (Castle Church) where Luther nailed his 95 Theses in 1517 sparking the German Reformation. The church, completed in 1509, contains the tombs of Luther, Melanchton, and Frederick the Wise.

    Looking down an old street in Wittenberg to the Schloss Kirche (Castle Church) where Luther nailed his 95 Theses in 1517 sparking the German Reformation. The church, completed in 1509, contains the tombs of Luther, Melanchton, and Frederick the Wise.

  • The Market Place of Wittenberg with the Stadt Kirche (City Church) - also known as Marienskirche (St. Mary's Church) or Mother Church of the Reformation - in the background. Luther did most of his preaching in the church, some parts of which date to the 13th century.

    The Market Place of Wittenberg with the Stadt Kirche (City Church) - also known as Marienskirche (St. Mary's Church) or Mother Church of the Reformation - in the background. Luther did most of his preaching in the church, some parts of which date to the 13th century.

  • Albrechtsburg Castle and the Meissen Cathedral overlooking the city of Meissen, the "cradle of Saxony" and the capital of the Margraves of Meissen. The castle, designed in late Gothic style, was constructed in the 15th century as a residence. It is now a museum with murals illustrating the history of Saxony Meissen. The Gothic Meissen Cathedral, begun in 1260 on the same hill as the castle, is one of the smallest cathedrals in Europe.

    Albrechtsburg Castle and the Meissen Cathedral overlooking the city of Meissen, the "cradle of Saxony" and the capital of the Margraves of Meissen. The castle, designed in late Gothic style, was constructed in the 15th century as a residence. It is now a museum with murals illustrating the history of Saxony Meissen. The Gothic Meissen Cathedral, begun in 1260 on the same hill as the castle, is one of the smallest cathedrals in Europe.

  • Looking down on the roofs of Meissen with the Church of Our Lady in the background. The Gothic church, located next to Market Square, was built between 1460 and 1570 and was the first to have tunable chimes of porcelain bells in its tower.

    Looking down on the roofs of Meissen with the Church of Our Lady in the background. The Gothic church, located next to Market Square, was built between 1460 and 1570 and was the first to have tunable chimes of porcelain bells in its tower.

  • Dresden, the capital city of Saxony, was completely destroyed in World War II. The 40 years of urban development under East Germany considerably changed the face of the city. Since reunification in 1990, some restoration work has helped rebuild parts of the historic inner city.

    Dresden, the capital city of Saxony, was completely destroyed in World War II. The 40 years of urban development under East Germany considerably changed the face of the city. Since reunification in 1990, some restoration work has helped rebuild parts of the historic inner city.

  • The original Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Dresden, a Baroque Lutheran place of worship, was built in the 18th century. The distinctive structure was completely destroyed by the bombing of 1945. Reconstruction was begun in 1993, after German reunification, and completed in 2005. Today the church serves as a symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies and is a hugely popular tourist destination.

    The original Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Dresden, a Baroque Lutheran place of worship, was built in the 18th century. The distinctive structure was completely destroyed by the bombing of 1945. Reconstruction was begun in 1993, after German reunification, and completed in 2005. Today the church serves as a symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies and is a hugely popular tourist destination.

  • The altar of the Frauenkirche in Dresden, displaying a relief of Christ's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, survived essentially intact after the bombing in 1945.

    The altar of the Frauenkirche in Dresden, displaying a relief of Christ's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, survived essentially intact after the bombing in 1945.

  • The painted dome of the Frauenkirche in Dresden had to be completely reconstructed after the bombing in 1945.

    The painted dome of the Frauenkirche in Dresden had to be completely reconstructed after the bombing in 1945.

  • The Baroque Zwinger Palace in Dresden was constructed between 1710 and 1728 for Augustus the Strong, elector of Saxony. Leveled by bombing in 1945, it was rebuilt and today houses a number of museums.

    The Baroque Zwinger Palace in Dresden was constructed between 1710 and 1728 for Augustus the Strong, elector of Saxony. Leveled by bombing in 1945, it was rebuilt and today houses a number of museums.

  • Some sculpted highlights on the wall pavilion at the north end of the Zwinger Palace in Dresden.

    Some sculpted highlights on the wall pavilion at the north end of the Zwinger Palace in Dresden.

  • The Fuerstenzug, located on the outside wall of the Residence Palace in Dresden, depicts the rulers of Saxony over 1,000 years. It is the largest (and longest) porcelain picture in the world, composed of ca. 25,000 porcelain tiles (only the concluding section is shown here). The dimensions are 102 m by 9.5 m (957 sq m).

    The Fuerstenzug, located on the outside wall of the Residence Palace in Dresden, depicts the rulers of Saxony over 1,000 years. It is the largest (and longest) porcelain picture in the world, composed of ca. 25,000 porcelain tiles (only the concluding section is shown here). The dimensions are 102 m by 9.5 m (957 sq m).

  • A scene in Saxon Switzerland National Park near Dresden where old castles abound and visitors go to rock climb.

    A scene in Saxon Switzerland National Park near Dresden where old castles abound and visitors go to rock climb.

  • The town of Oberrathen along the Elbe River as seen from the Bastei, a rocky sandstone prominence.

    The town of Oberrathen along the Elbe River as seen from the Bastei, a rocky sandstone prominence.

  • A view showing the town of Rathen on the Elbe River. Niederrathen (Lower Rathen) on the left connects to Oberrathen (Upper Rathen) on the right by ferry.

    A view showing the town of Rathen on the Elbe River. Niederrathen (Lower Rathen) on the left connects to Oberrathen (Upper Rathen) on the right by ferry.

  • Houses along the banks of the Elbe River.

    Houses along the banks of the Elbe River.

  • Flowers blooming in an overlook at Saxon Switzerland State Park.

    Flowers blooming in an overlook at Saxon Switzerland State Park.

  • Some good climbing peaks in Saxon Switzerland State Park.

    Some good climbing peaks in Saxon Switzerland State Park.

  • An alpine lake in the foothills of the Alps near Munich.

    An alpine lake in the foothills of the Alps near Munich.

  • Neuendorf bei Wilster is a tiny park just north of Hamburg with a historic flood level pole and an information board that identifies the site as being Germany's lowest point (-3.54 m).

    Neuendorf bei Wilster is a tiny park just north of Hamburg with a historic flood level pole and an information board that identifies the site as being Germany's lowest point (-3.54 m).

  • The black and gold cross that marks Germany's highest point on its tallest mountain, Zugspitze.

    The black and gold cross that marks Germany's highest point on its tallest mountain, Zugspitze.

  • View from the top of Zugspitze looking towards Austria.

    View from the top of Zugspitze looking towards Austria.

  • A view of the colorful houses in Dinklesbuehl captured from a church tower. The city is surrounded by medieval walls and towers.

    A view of the colorful houses in Dinklesbuehl captured from a church tower. The city is surrounded by medieval walls and towers.

  • Bridge over the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg.

    Bridge over the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg.

  • Colorful flower boxes along the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg.

    Colorful flower boxes along the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg.

  • Overlooking the Pegnitz River as it flows through Nuremberg.

    Overlooking the Pegnitz River as it flows through Nuremberg.

  • River view of the half-timbered Weinstadel (former wine depot) on the Pegnitz River flowing through Nuremberg.

    River view of the half-timbered Weinstadel (former wine depot) on the Pegnitz River flowing through Nuremberg.

  • Part of the Hangman's Bridge (Henkersteg; built 1457) in Nuremberg. The city executioner used to live in the tower and the roofed walk above the River Pegnitz. Considered a "persona non grata," the hangman was avoided by the citizens of the city.

    Part of the Hangman's Bridge (Henkersteg; built 1457) in Nuremberg. The city executioner used to live in the tower and the roofed walk above the River Pegnitz. Considered a "persona non grata," the hangman was avoided by the citizens of the city.

  • The half-timbered Weinstadel (former wine depot) is one of Nuremberg's most famous buildings. Built between 1533 and 1544, it originally served as a house for lepers, but today is a student dorm.

    The half-timbered Weinstadel (former wine depot) is one of Nuremberg's most famous buildings. Built between 1533 and 1544, it originally served as a house for lepers, but today is a student dorm.

  • Winter view of Neuschwanstein Castle as seen from the Marienbruecke (Mary's Bridge). This castle is the best known of the three royal palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The design and decoration of the castle pay homage to various medieval legends.

    Winter view of Neuschwanstein Castle as seen from the Marienbruecke (Mary's Bridge). This castle is the best known of the three royal palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The design and decoration of the castle pay homage to various medieval legends.

  • Neuschwanstein Castle is the best known of the three royal palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Often referred to as the paradox castle, it is a medieval castle built at a time when castles were no longer necessary yet outfitted with the latest technological comforts such as an elevator, running water, electricity, telephones, and central heating. The foundation for the castle was laid in 1869 and it was inhabitable by 1873 though it was never finished. King Ludvig lived off and on in the castle for six months before dying in 1886. A few weeks after his death, Neschwanstein Castle opened to the public as a museum; today it welcomes millions of visitors each year. The structure is also the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disney Land.

    Neuschwanstein Castle is the best known of the three royal palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Often referred to as the paradox castle, it is a medieval castle built at a time when castles were no longer necessary yet outfitted with the latest technological comforts such as an elevator, running water, electricity, telephones, and central heating. The foundation for the castle was laid in 1869 and it was inhabitable by 1873 though it was never finished. King Ludvig lived off and on in the castle for six months before dying in 1886. A few weeks after his death, Neschwanstein Castle opened to the public as a museum; today it welcomes millions of visitors each year. The structure is also the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disney Land.

  • The story of Hansel and Gretel is depicted on this traditionally painted home in Garmisch.

    The story of Hansel and Gretel is depicted on this traditionally painted home in Garmisch.

  • The US Army Checkpoint (Checkpoint Charlie); the former crossing point between East and West Berlin.

    The US Army Checkpoint (Checkpoint Charlie); the former crossing point between East and West Berlin.

  • A preserved portion of the Berlin Wall. The wall was begun in 1961 and completely encircled West Berlin. The beginning of the end of the wall came in 1989 when the East German regime allowed East Berliners to visit West Berlin. The former wall is marked in some places by cobblestones.

    A preserved portion of the Berlin Wall. The wall was begun in 1961 and completely encircled West Berlin. The beginning of the end of the wall came in 1989 when the East German regime allowed East Berliners to visit West Berlin. The former wall is marked in some places by cobblestones.

  • Part of Schloss Cecilienhof where the Potsdam Conference - which established post-World War II order in Europe - took place in the summer of 1945.

    Part of Schloss Cecilienhof where the Potsdam Conference - which established post-World War II order in Europe - took place in the summer of 1945.

  • The terrace at Sanssouci, the former summer palace of Frederick II of Prussia, at Potsdam, near Berlin.

    The terrace at Sanssouci, the former summer palace of Frederick II of Prussia, at Potsdam, near Berlin.

  • The Hessisches Landesmuseum (Hessian State Museum) in Darmstadt is a museum of contemporary art.

    The Hessisches Landesmuseum (Hessian State Museum) in Darmstadt is a museum of contemporary art.

  • The Evangelische Christuskirche (Evangelical Christ Church) in Mainz.

    The Evangelische Christuskirche (Evangelical Christ Church) in Mainz.

  • Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich, Bavaria, is a 16- to 18-day folk festival (the world's largest) running from mid- or late-September to the first Sunday in October. More than six million people from around the world attend the event every year. The view shows the interior of one of the massive tents set up to serve food and beer to visitors. The celebration began in 1810, with the the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, when the Bavarian royalty invited the citizens of Munich to join in the festivities.

    Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich, Bavaria, is a 16- to 18-day folk festival (the world's largest) running from mid- or late-September to the first Sunday in October. More than six million people from around the world attend the event every year. The view shows the interior of one of the massive tents set up to serve food and beer to visitors. The celebration began in 1810, with the the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, when the Bavarian royalty invited the citizens of Munich to join in the festivities.

  • This 6 m- (20 ft-) tall bronze statue of composer Felix Mendelssohn in Leipzig is a replica of an original erected in 1892, but razed by the Nazis in 1936 due to his Jewish heritage. It stands on a granite pedestal with Euterpe, the Greek muse of music, and a pair of winged cherubs playing a violin and flute at his feet on the granite steps. Dedicated in 2008 in recognition of his 200th birthday, the original statue previously stood in front of the famed Leipzig Conservatory of Music (today the Leipzig Academy of Music and Theater) that he established in 1843; the reproduction stands near Leipzig’s Saint Thomas Church and the gravesite of Johann Sebastian Bach - a composer Mendelssohn greatly admired and whose music he reintroduced to 19th-century audiences.

    This 6 m- (20 ft-) tall bronze statue of composer Felix Mendelssohn in Leipzig is a replica of an original erected in 1892, but razed by the Nazis in 1936 due to his Jewish heritage. It stands on a granite pedestal with Euterpe, the Greek muse of music, and a pair of winged cherubs playing a violin and flute at his feet on the granite steps. Dedicated in 2008 in recognition of his 200th birthday, the original statue previously stood in front of the famed Leipzig Conservatory of Music (today the Leipzig Academy of Music and Theater) that he established in 1843; the reproduction stands near Leipzig’s Saint Thomas Church and the gravesite of Johann Sebastian Bach - a composer Mendelssohn greatly admired and whose music he reintroduced to 19th-century audiences.

  • Situated near the Rhine River, the Cologne (Koeln) Cathedral is of quintessential Gothic design and the most recognizable landmark of its namesake city. Construction began in 1248 and was completed in the late 1800s. The two towers are over 152 m (500 ft) tall.

    Situated near the Rhine River, the Cologne (Koeln) Cathedral is of quintessential Gothic design and the most recognizable landmark of its namesake city. Construction began in 1248 and was completed in the late 1800s. The two towers are over 152 m (500 ft) tall.

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  • The Eschenheimer Turm (Eschenheim Tower) in Frankfurt, built in the early 15th century, served as a gate in the city's late-medieval fortifications. Today it is a landmark of the city.
  • The Goethe House at 23 Grosser Hirschgraben in the old town of Frankfurt was the residence of the Goethe family until 1795. The family's most notable personality, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, was born there in 1749, lived there till the age of 16, and returned sporadically throughout his life. The house stands next to the Goethe Museum (on the right).
  • The Eurotower (on the left) and Commerzbank Tower in the bankenviertel (financial district) of Frankfurt. The skyscapers were constructed 20 years apart, 1977 and 1997, respectively.
  • The Operturm (Opera Tower) in Frankfurt was opened in 2010 and is named after the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) that it faces, a corner of which may be glimpsed in the very center of the photo.
  • Inaugurated in 1880, the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) in Frankfurt still serves as a major concert hall, as well as a site for plays. Operas, however, are performed in the new Oper Frankfurt (Frankfurt Opera).
  • Fin de siecle architecture at the Alte Oper (Old Opera House) metro stop in Frankfurt.
  • An eccentric office building weaves its way through the financial district of Frankfurt.
  • An architectural sandwich in Frankfurt.
  • The Chamber of Commerce Building in Frankfurt. The city has been Germany's financial center for centuries, and it is the home of a number of major banks and brokerage houses. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is Germany's largest and one of the most important in the world.
  • Monument honoring Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of mechanical movable type, in the Rossmarkt (old Horse Market) of Frankfurt. His invention in the mid-15th century launched the printing revolution and is regarded as one of the key developments of modern history.
  • An 18th century archway of the Palais Thurn und Taxis and 21st century skyscrapers (Nextower) provide for an interesting architectural juxtaposition in Frankfurt.
  • Located at the edge of the Hauptwache plaza is St. Catherine's Church, the largest Lutheran church in Frankfurt. Construction of the baroque church was completed in 1681. Destroyed by World War II bombing, it was rebuilt between 1950 and 1954.
  • An area of the Hauptwache plaza in Frankfurt. In the background is St. Catherine's Church.
  • The city of Heidelberg lies in Baden-Wurttemberg on the River Neckar. A Roman fortress and settlement in the area was abandoned in A.D. 260. A new settlement began in the 5th century and came to be called Bergheim. Monastic estates were set up in the area over subsequent centuries. By 1196, the first reference to Heidelberg is recorded; this is considered the founding date of the city. The University of Heidelberg - Germany's oldest - was established in 1386.
  • Heidelberg Castle as viewed from a town square.
  • Heidelberg Castle was first a fortification built around 1398-1410. During the 16th and 17th centuries the fortress was turned into a castle with Gothic and Renaissance features. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today the Castle is used for banquets, balls, theater performances, and classical concerts. The structure is surrounded by a park.
  • Heidelberg Castle as seen from the rear.
  • A few "air conditioned" rooms in the ruined section of Heidelberg Castle.
  • The Heilliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit) in Heidelberg is first mentioned in 1239. It was the third church to be built on the market place site and it took some 150 years to construct. From about 1706 to 1936 the church was divided by an internal wall that allowed both Catholic and Protestant services to be held within at the same time. In 1936 the wall was removed and the church became exclusively Protestant.
  • The Old Bridge in Heidelberg is a nine-arch stone bridge erected between 1786 and 1788 to replace earlier wooden structures. Parts of it were destroyed in 1945 by the retreating German army, but it was restored within two years.
  • View of Heidelberg and the Castle from the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit.
  • Another view of Heidelberg and the Old Bridge from the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit.
  • Flower boxes overlook a street in Ottweiler, a town in the Saarland region that dates back to the late 14th century. In the second half of the 18th century Ottweiler was renowned for its fine white porcelain, but the industry closed and today Ottweiler porcelain is some of the rarest in the world.
  • A duke's hunting lodge and rose garden, called the Pavilion, were constructed in the 18th century and today are one of the highlights of Ottweiler.
  • The basilica of Sankt Wendel (St. Wendel) in the eponymous town near Trier. The site was originally named Basonevillare (Baso's farm) after the feudal lord who owned it. The Bishop of Verdun bought the town in the mid-7th century, and erected a church over the grave of a very popular hermit Wendelin who died near Basonevillare. The church became such a popular pilgrimage destination that eventually a new church had to be built and Wendelin's remains were transfered there. The area around the new church became a marketplace and a town called Sankt Wendel.
  • By 16 B.C. the Romans founded Trier, which eventually became the capital of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. It is the oldest city in Germany and the oldest seat of a Christian bishop north of the Alps. The Porta Nigra (Black Gate) in Trier is the best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps and was built between A.D. 186 and 200 and guarded the northern entrance to the city. After 1035, the Porta Nigra was converted into a church. During the Napoleonic Wars -- when Trier was occupied by the French -- Napoleon ordered that the Porta Nigra be restored to its Roman form.
  • The Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Trier is one of the most important early Gothic cathedrals in Germany. It was built over a Roman double church and completed in 1260. Its shape is in the form of a Greek cross and its floor plan resembles a 12-petaled rose, symbol of the Virgin Mary.
  • In 1615, the Elector Lothar von Metternich began to construct a Rococo-style palace in Trier; Archbishop Johann Philipp von Walderdorff completed the structure in 1756. Today the palace - considered to be one of the most impressive Rococo buildings in the world - houses the Trier city government offices.
  • Red dots mark the locations of fires burning in countries south and east of the Baltic Sea in this early April image. The scattered fires were probably set to clear land for agricultural purposes. The Scandinavian countries, Norway and Sweden, and Finland to the north of the Sea, are still blanketed in snow. From the left, the countries lining the Baltic on the south are Denmark, Germany, Poland, Russia (Kaliningrad), Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia. Belarus forms the lower right corner of the image. Photo courtesy of NASA.
  • This satellite photo shows Northwest Europe. Visible are the Republic of Ireland (top leftmost), the United Kingdom (top left), France (middle left), Belgium (middle), the Netherlands (top middle), Germany (right), Denmark (top right), Luxembourg (between France, Germany, and Belgium), Switzerland (bottom middle), Italy (bottom middle), and Austria (bottom right); the latter three all cloud covered. Image courtesy of NASA.
  • Looking down an old street in Wittenberg to the Schloss Kirche (Castle Church) where Luther nailed his 95 Theses in 1517 sparking the German Reformation. The church, completed in 1509, contains the tombs of Luther, Melanchton, and Frederick the Wise.
  • The Market Place of Wittenberg with the Stadt Kirche (City Church) - also known as Marienskirche (St. Mary's Church) or Mother Church of the Reformation - in the background. Luther did most of his preaching in the church, some parts of which date to the 13th century.
  • Albrechtsburg Castle and the Meissen Cathedral overlooking the city of Meissen, the "cradle of Saxony" and the capital of the Margraves of Meissen. The castle, designed in late Gothic style, was constructed in the 15th century as a residence. It is now a museum with murals illustrating the history of Saxony Meissen. The Gothic Meissen Cathedral, begun in 1260 on the same hill as the castle, is one of the smallest cathedrals in Europe.
  • Looking down on the roofs of Meissen with the Church of Our Lady in the background. The Gothic church, located next to Market Square, was built between 1460 and 1570 and was the first to have tunable chimes of porcelain bells in its tower.
  • Dresden, the capital city of Saxony, was completely destroyed in World War II. The 40 years of urban development under East Germany considerably changed the face of the city. Since reunification in 1990, some restoration work has helped rebuild parts of the historic inner city.
  • The original Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) in Dresden, a Baroque Lutheran place of worship, was built in the 18th century. The distinctive structure was completely destroyed by the bombing of 1945. Reconstruction was begun in 1993, after German reunification, and completed in 2005. Today the church serves as a symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies and is a hugely popular tourist destination.
  • The altar of the Frauenkirche in Dresden, displaying a relief of Christ's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, survived essentially intact after the bombing in 1945.
  • The painted dome of the Frauenkirche in Dresden had to be completely reconstructed after the bombing in 1945.
  • The Baroque Zwinger Palace in Dresden was constructed between 1710 and 1728 for Augustus the Strong, elector of Saxony. Leveled by bombing in 1945, it was rebuilt and today houses a number of museums.
  • Some sculpted highlights on the wall pavilion at the north end of the Zwinger Palace in Dresden.
  • The Fuerstenzug, located on the outside wall of the Residence Palace in Dresden, depicts the rulers of Saxony over 1,000 years. It is the largest (and longest) porcelain picture in the world, composed of ca. 25,000 porcelain tiles (only the concluding section is shown here). The dimensions are 102 m by 9.5 m (957 sq m).
  • A scene in Saxon Switzerland National Park near Dresden where old castles abound and visitors go to rock climb.
  • The town of Oberrathen along the Elbe River as seen from the Bastei, a rocky sandstone prominence.
  • A view showing the town of Rathen on the Elbe River. Niederrathen (Lower Rathen) on the left connects to Oberrathen (Upper Rathen) on the right by ferry.
  • Houses along the banks of the Elbe River.
  • Flowers blooming in an overlook at Saxon Switzerland State Park.
  • Some good climbing peaks in Saxon Switzerland State Park.
  • An alpine lake in the foothills of the Alps near Munich.
  • Neuendorf bei Wilster is a tiny park just north of Hamburg with a historic flood level pole and an information board that identifies the site as being Germany's lowest point (-3.54 m).
  • The black and gold cross that marks Germany's highest point on its tallest mountain, Zugspitze.
  • View from the top of Zugspitze looking towards Austria.
  • A view of the colorful houses in Dinklesbuehl captured from a church tower. The city is surrounded by medieval walls and towers.
  • Bridge over the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg.
  • Colorful flower boxes along the Pegnitz River in Nuremberg.
  • Overlooking the Pegnitz River as it flows through Nuremberg.
  • River view of the half-timbered Weinstadel (former wine depot) on the Pegnitz River flowing through Nuremberg.
  • Part of the Hangman's Bridge (Henkersteg; built 1457) in Nuremberg. The city executioner used to live in the tower and the roofed walk above the River Pegnitz. Considered a "persona non grata," the hangman was avoided by the citizens of the city.
  • The half-timbered Weinstadel (former wine depot) is one of Nuremberg's most famous buildings. Built between 1533 and 1544, it originally served as a house for lepers, but today is a student dorm.
  • Winter view of Neuschwanstein Castle as seen from the Marienbruecke (Mary's Bridge). This castle is the best known of the three royal palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The design and decoration of the castle pay homage to various medieval legends.
  • Neuschwanstein Castle is the best known of the three royal palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Often referred to as the paradox castle, it is a medieval castle built at a time when castles were no longer necessary yet outfitted with the latest technological comforts such as an elevator, running water, electricity, telephones, and central heating. The foundation for the castle was laid in 1869 and it was inhabitable by 1873 though it was never finished. King Ludvig lived off and on in the castle for six months before dying in 1886. A few weeks after his death, Neschwanstein Castle opened to the public as a museum; today it welcomes millions of visitors each year. The structure is also the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disney Land.
  • The story of Hansel and Gretel is depicted on this traditionally painted home in Garmisch.
  • The US Army Checkpoint (Checkpoint Charlie); the former crossing point between East and West Berlin.
  • A preserved portion of the Berlin Wall. The wall was begun in 1961 and completely encircled West Berlin. The beginning of the end of the wall came in 1989 when the East German regime allowed East Berliners to visit West Berlin. The former wall is marked in some places by cobblestones.
  • Part of Schloss Cecilienhof where the Potsdam Conference - which established post-World War II order in Europe - took place in the summer of 1945.
  • The terrace at Sanssouci, the former summer palace of Frederick II of Prussia, at Potsdam, near Berlin.
  • The Hessisches Landesmuseum (Hessian State Museum) in Darmstadt is a museum of contemporary art.
  • The Evangelische Christuskirche (Evangelical Christ Church) in Mainz.
  • Oktoberfest, held annually in Munich, Bavaria, is a 16- to 18-day folk festival (the world's largest) running from mid- or late-September to the first Sunday in October. More than six million people from around the world attend the event every year. The view shows the interior of one of the massive tents set up to serve food and beer to visitors. The celebration began in 1810, with the the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen, when the Bavarian royalty invited the citizens of Munich to join in the festivities.
  • This 6 m- (20 ft-) tall bronze statue of composer Felix Mendelssohn in Leipzig is a replica of an original erected in 1892, but razed by the Nazis in 1936 due to his Jewish heritage. It stands on a granite pedestal with Euterpe, the Greek muse of music, and a pair of winged cherubs playing a violin and flute at his feet on the granite steps. Dedicated in 2008 in recognition of his 200th birthday, the original statue previously stood in front of the famed Leipzig Conservatory of Music (today the Leipzig Academy of Music and Theater) that he established in 1843; the reproduction stands near Leipzig’s Saint Thomas Church and the gravesite of Johann Sebastian Bach - a composer Mendelssohn greatly admired and whose music he reintroduced to 19th-century audiences.
  • Situated near the Rhine River, the Cologne (Koeln) Cathedral is of quintessential Gothic design and the most recognizable landmark of its namesake city. Construction began in 1248 and was completed in the late 1800s. The two towers are over 152 m (500 ft) tall.

Germany Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Amy GUTMANN (since 17 February 2022)

embassy: Pariser Platz 2, 10117 Berlin
Clayallee 170, 14191 Berlin (administrative services)

mailing address: 5090 Berlin Place, Washington DC  20521-5090

telephone: [49] (30) 8305-0

FAX: [49] (30) 8305-1215

email address and website:
BerlinPCO@state.gov

https://de.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s) general: Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.75% (male 5,905,124/female 5,673,727)

15-64 years: 62.97% (male 26,934,889/female 26,097,401)

65 years and over: 23.28% (2023 est.) (male 8,784,872/female 10,824,171)
2023 population pyramid
This is the population pyramid for Germany. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

51 00 N, 9 00 E

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Heliports

388 (2024)

Natural hazards

flooding

Area - comparative

three times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Montana
Area comparison map

three times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Montana

Military service age and obligation

17-23 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (must have completed compulsory full-time education and have German citizenship); conscription ended July 2011; service obligation 7-23 months or 12 years; in July 2020, the government launched a new voluntary conscript initiative focused on homeland security tasks; volunteers serve for 7 months plus 5 months as reservists over a 6 year period (2024)

note: women have been eligible for voluntary service in all military branches and positions since 2001 and accounted for about 12% of the active-duty German military in 2023

Background

As Europe's largest economy and second most-populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating world wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western economic and security organizations, the EC (now the EU) and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German reunification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

Environment - current issues

emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power by 2022; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Population below poverty line

14.7% (2021 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.1%

highest 10%: 25.2% (2019 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, medical cultures and vaccines, aircraft, industrial machinery, medical instruments (2021)

Exports - partners

US 9%, China 8%, France 8%, Netherlands 6%, UK 6% (2021)

Administrative divisions

16 states (Laender, singular - Land); Baden-Wuerttemberg, Bayern (Bavaria), Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen (Hesse), Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), Nordrhein-Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate), Saarland, Sachsen (Saxony), Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony-Anhalt), Schleswig-Holstein, Thueringen (Thuringia); note - Bayern, Sachsen, and Thueringen refer to themselves as free states (Freistaaten, singular - Freistaat), while Bremen calls itself a Free Hanseatic City (Freie Hansestadt) and Hamburg considers itself a Free and Hanseatic City (Freie und Hansestadt)

Agricultural products

milk, pork, wheat, beef, potatoes, barley, rapeseeds, chicken, eggs, sugar beets

Military and security forces

Federal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe, includes air defense), Joint Support and Enabling Service (Streitkraeftebasis, SKB), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst, ZSanDstBw), Cyber and Information Space Command (Kommando Cyber und Informationsraum, Kdo CIR) (2024)

note: responsibility for internal and border security is shared by the police forces of the 16 states, the Federal Criminal Police Office, and the Federal Police; the states’ police forces report to their respective interior ministries while the Federal Police forces report to the Federal Ministry of the Interior

Budget

revenues: $1.785 trillion (2020 est.)

expenditures: $1.945 trillion (2020 est.)

Capital

name: Berlin

geographic coordinates: 52 31 N, 13 24 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: the origin of the name is unclear but may be related to the old West Slavic (Polabian) word "berl" or "birl," meaning "swamp"

Imports - commodities

cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, medical cultures/vaccines, computers (2021)

Climate

temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind

Coastline

2,389 km

Constitution

history: previous 1919 (Weimar Constitution); latest drafted 10-23 August 1948, approved 12 May 1949, promulgated 23 May 1949, entered into force 24 May 1949

amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage and enactment into law require two-thirds majority vote by both the Bundesrat (upper house) and the Bundestag (lower house) of Parliament; articles including those on basic human rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2020; note - in early 2021, the German federal government introduced a bill to incorporate children’s rights into the constitution

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
0.95 (2022 est.)
0.845 (2021 est.)
0.876 (2020 est.)
0.893 (2019 est.)
0.847 (2018 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (since 19 March 2017)

head of government: Chancellor Olaf SCHOLZ (since 8 December 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet or Bundesminister (Federal Ministers) recommended by the chancellor, appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by a Federal Convention consisting of all members of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) and an equivalent number of delegates indirectly elected by the state parliaments; president serves a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 13 February 2022 (next to be held in February 2027); following the most recent Federal Parliament election, the party or coalition with the most representatives usually elects the chancellor who is appointed by the president to serve a renewable 4-year term; Federal Parliament vote for chancellor last held on 8 December 2021 (next to be held after the Bundestag election in 2025)

election results:
2022: Frank-Walter STEINMEIER reelected president; Federal Convention vote count - Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (SPD) 1,045, Max OTTE (CDU) 140, Gerhard TRABERT (The Left) 96, Stefanie GEBAUER (Free Voters) 58, abstentions 86

2021:  Olaf SCHOLZ (SPD) elected chancellor; Federal Parliament vote - 395 to 303

2017:  Frank-Walter STEINMEIER elected president; Federal Convention vote count - Frank-Walter STEINMEIER (SPD) 931, Christopher Butterwegge (independent) 128, abstentions 103

Fiscal year

calendar year

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and gold; these colors have played an important role in German history and can be traced back to the medieval banner of the Holy Roman Emperor - a black eagle with red claws and beak on a gold field

Illicit drugs

maritime transshipment point for cocaine heading for European drug; a major source of precursor or essential chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics

Independence

18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire); divided into four zones of occupation (UK, US, USSR, and France) in 1945 following World War II; Federal Republic of Germany (FRG or West Germany) proclaimed on 23 May 1949 and included the former UK, US, and French zones; German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) proclaimed on 7 October 1949 and included the former USSR zone; West Germany and East Germany unified on 3 October 1990; all four powers formally relinquished rights on 15 March 1991; notable earlier dates: 10 August 843 (Eastern Francia established from the division of the Carolingian Empire); 2 February 962 (crowning of OTTO I, recognized as the first Holy Roman Emperor)

Industries

iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, automobiles, food and beverages, shipbuilding, textiles

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Federal Court of Justice (court consists of 127 judges, including the court president, vice presidents, presiding judges, other judges and organized into 25 Senates subdivided into 12 civil panels, 5 criminal panels, and 8 special panels); Federal Constitutional Court or Bundesverfassungsgericht (consists of 2 Senates each subdivided into 3 chambers, each with a chairman and 8 members)

judge selection and term of office: Federal Court of Justice judges selected by the Judges Election Committee, which consists of the Secretaries of Justice from each of the 16 federated states and 16 members appointed by the Federal Parliament; judges appointed by the president; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Federal Constitutional Court judges - one-half elected by the House of Representatives and one-half by the Senate; judges appointed for 12-year terms with mandatory retirement at age 68

subordinate courts: Federal Administrative Court; Federal Finance Court; Federal Labor Court; Federal Social Court; each of the 16 federated states or Land has its own constitutional court and a hierarchy of ordinary (civil, criminal, family) and specialized (administrative, finance, labor, social) courts; two English-speaking commercial courts opened in late 2020 in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg - English-speaking Stuttgart Commercial Court and English-speaking Mannheim Commercial Court

Land boundaries

total: 3,694 km

border countries (9): Austria 801 km; Belgium 133 km; Czechia 704 km; Denmark 140 km; France 418 km; Luxembourg 128 km; Netherlands 575 km; Poland 447 km; Switzerland 348 km

Land use

agricultural land: 48% (2018 est.)

arable land: 34.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 13.3% (2018 est.)

forest: 31.8% (2018 est.)

other: 20.2% (2018 est.)

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of:
Federal Council or Bundesrat (69 seats statutory, 71 current; members appointed by each of the 16 state governments)
Federal Diet or Bundestag (736 seats statutory, 736 for the 2021-25 term - total seats can vary each electoral term; currently includes 4 seats for independent members; approximately one-half of members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and approximately one-half directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members' terms depend upon the states they represent)

elections:
Bundesrat - none; determined by the composition of the state-level governments; the composition of the Bundesrat has the potential to change any time one of the 16 states holds an election
Bundestag - last held on 26 September 2021 (next to be held by September 2025); almost all postwar German governments have been coalitions

election results:
Bundesrat - composition as of February 2024 - men 43, women 26, percentage women 37.7%

Bundestag - percent of vote by party - SPD 28%, CDU/CSU 26.8%, Alliance '90/Greens 16%, FDP 12.5%, AfD 11%, The Left 5.3%, other .04%; seats by party - SPD 206, CDU/CSU 197, Alliance '90/Greens 118, FDP 92, AfD 81, The Left 39, other 3; composition as of February 2024 - men 476, women 260, percentage women 34.9%; note - total Parliament percentage women 35.5%

note: due to Germany's recognition of the concepts of "overhang" (when a party's share of the nationwide votes would entitle it to fewer seats than the number of individual constituency seats won in an election under Germany's mixed member proportional system) and "leveling" (whereby additional seats are elected to supplement the members directly elected by each constituency in order to ensure that each party's share of the total seats is roughly proportional to the party's overall shares of votes at the national level), the 20th Bundestag is the largest to date

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS, CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

National holiday

German Unity Day, 3 October (1990)

Nationality

noun: German(s)

adjective: German

Natural resources

coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land

Geography - note

strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea; most major rivers in Germany - the Rhine, Weser, Oder, Elbe - flow northward; the Danube, which originates in the Black Forest, flows eastward

Economic overview

leading EU service-based export-driven economy; highly skilled and educated labor force; fairly fiscally conservative; energy-related economic disruptions due to Russian gas cessations; increased defense spending and rising debts

Pipelines

37 km condensate, 26,985 km gas, 2,400 km oil, 4,479 km refined products, 8 km water (2013)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance '90/Greens [Ricarda LANG and Omid NOURIPOUR]
Alternative for Germany or AfD [Alice WEIDEL and Tino CHRUPALLA]
Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Friedrich MERZ]
Christian Social Union or CSU [Markus SOEDER]
Free Democratic Party or FDP [Christian LINDNER]
Free Voters [Hubert AIWANGER]
The Left or Die Linke [Janine WISSLER and Martin SCHIRDEWAN]
Social Democratic Party or SPD [Saskia ESKEN and Lars KLINGBEIL]

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s):
Baltic Sea: Kiel, Rostock
North Sea: Bremerhaven, Brunsbuttel, Emden, Hamburg, Wilhelmshaven

oil terminal(s): Brunsbuttel Canal terminals

container port(s) (TEUs): Bremen/Bremerhaven (5,018,900), Hamburg (8,715,000) (2021)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Hamburg; Brunsbuettel (FSRU); Lubmin (FSRU); Wilhelmshaven (FSRU)

river port(s): Bremen (Weser); Bremerhaven (Geeste); Duisburg, Karlsruhe, Neuss-Dusseldorf (Rhine); Lubeck (Wakenitz); Brunsbuttel, Hamburg (Elbe)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal; age 16 for some state and municipal elections

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: with one of Europe’s largest telecom markets, Germany hosts a number of significant operators which offer effective competition in the mobile and broadband sectors; the German mobile market is driven by mobile data, with the number of mobile broadband subscribers having increased rapidly in recent years; with LTE now effectively universally available, considerable progress has recently been made in building out 5G networks (2022)

domestic: 46 per 100 for fixed-line and 128 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)

international: country code - 49; landing points for SeaMeWe-3, TAT-14, AC-1, CONTACT-3, Fehmarn Balt, C-Lion1, GC1, GlobalConnect-KPN, and Germany-Denmark 2 & 3 - submarine cables to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia; as well as earth stations in the Inmarsat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik satellite systems (2019)

Terrain

lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south

Government type

federal parliamentary republic

Country name

conventional long form: Federal Republic of Germany

conventional short form: Germany

local long form: Bundesrepublik Deutschland

local short form: Deutschland

former: German Reich

etymology: the Gauls (Celts) of Western Europe may have referred to the newly arriving Germanic tribes who settled in neighboring areas east of the Rhine during the first centuries B.C. as "Germani," a term the Romans adopted as "Germania"; the native designation "Deutsch" comes from the Old High German "diutisc" meaning "of the people"

Location

Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark

Map references

Europe

Irrigated land

5,056 sq km (2020)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Andreas MICHAELIS (since 15 September 2023)

chancery: 4645 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 298-4000

FAX: [1] (202) 298-4261

email address and website:
info@washington.diplo.de

https://www.germany.info/us-en

consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Internet country code

.de

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 664,238 (Syria), 183,631 (Afghanistan), 151,254 (Iraq), 64,496 (Eritrea), 47,658 (Iran), 38,755 (Turkey), 32,155 (Somalia), 13,334 (Russia), 12,155 (Nigeria), 9,250 (Pakistan), 6,257 (Serbia and Kosovo), 6,912 (Ethiopia), 5,532 (Azerbaijan) (mid-year 2022); 1,139,690 (Ukraine) (as of 3 February 2024)

stateless persons: 28,941 (2022)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.082 trillion (2022 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: AAA (1994)

Moody's rating: Aaa (1986)

Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1983)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained. Credit ratings prior to 1989 refer to West Germany.

Total renewable water resources

154 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years

male: 17 years

female: 17 years (2020)

Urbanization

urban population: 77.8% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.13% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
total population growth rate v. urban population growth rate, 2000-2030

Broadcast media

a mixture of publicly operated and privately owned TV and radio stations; 70 national and regional public broadcasters compete with nearly 400 privately owned national and regional TV stations; more than 90% of households have cable or satellite TV; hundreds of radio stations including multiple national radio networks, regional radio networks, and a large number of local radio stations

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)

lyrics/music: August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN

note: adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; following appropriation by the Nazis of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism, it was banned after 1945; in 1952, its third verse was adopted by West Germany as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany
This is an audio of the National Anthem for Germany. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

3.574 million BERLIN (capital), 1.788 million Hamburg, 1.576 million Munich, 1.144 million Cologne, 796,000 Frankfurt (2023)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Physicians density

4.44 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Hospital bed density

8 beds/1,000 population (2017)

National symbol(s)

eagle; national colors: black, red, yellow

Mother's mean age at first birth

29.9 years (2020 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

67% (2018)

note: percent of women aged 18-49

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 53.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 19.5% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 47.3% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -39.7% (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 56.4

youth dependency ratio: 21.7

elderly dependency ratio: 34.7

potential support ratio: 2.9 (2021 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a German citizen or a resident alien who has lived in Germany at least 8 years

dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission from government

residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years

Population distribution

second most populous country in Europe; a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations, particularly in the far western part of the industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2021)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 20 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1,113

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 109,796,202 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7,969,860,000 (2018) mt-km

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

D

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

German 85.4%, Turkish 1.8%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Syrian 1.1%, Romanian 1%, Poland 1%, other/stateless/unspecified 8.3% (2022 est.)

note:  data represent population by nationality

Religions

Roman Catholic 24.8%, Protestant 22.6%, Muslim 3.7%, other 5.1%, none 43.8% (2022 est.)

Languages

German (official); note - Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romani are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romani are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

major-language sample(s):
Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
German audio sample

Imports - partners

China 10%, Netherlands 10%, Poland 7%, France 6%, Italy 6%  (2021)

Disputes - international

none identified

Military - note

the Bundeswehr’s core mission is the defense of Germany and its NATO partners; it has a wide range of peacetime duties, including crisis management, cyber security, deterrence, homeland security, humanitarian and disaster relief, and international peacekeeping and stability operations; as a key member of NATO and the EU, the Bundeswehr typically operates in a coalition environment, and its capabilities are largely based on NATO and EU planning goals and needs; it has participated in a range of NATO and EU missions in Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as global maritime operations; the Bundeswehr has close bilateral defense ties with a number of EU countries, including the Czechia, France, the Netherlands, and Romania, as well as the UK and the US; it also contributes forces to UN peacekeeping missions

the Bundeswehr was established in 1955; at the height of the Cold War in the 1980s, it had nearly 600,000 personnel, over 7,000 tanks, and 1,000 combat aircraft; in addition, over 400,000 soldiers from other NATO countries—including about 200,000 US military personnel—were stationed in West Germany; in the years following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the Bundeswehr shrank by more than 60% in size (over 90% in tanks and about 80% in aircraft), while funding fell from nearly 3% of GDP and over 4% of government spending in the mid-1980s to 1.2% and 1.6% respectively; by the 2010s, the Bundeswehr’s ability to fulfill its regional security commitments had deteriorated; the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 and full-scale assault on Ukraine in 2022 led to renewed emphasis on Germany’s leadership role in European defense and NATO and efforts to boost funding for the Bundeswehr to improve readiness, modernize, and expand

the current Bundeswehr Army is comprised of two armored divisions and a rapid forces division; the armored divisions have multiple armored and mechanized infantry brigades, including a Dutch brigade and a bi-national Franco-German brigade; one of the divisions also has a mountain infantry brigade; the rapid forces division has airborne, special operations, and helicopter forces, as well as a Dutch air mobile infantry brigade

the Navy is organized into flotillas for high seas and coastal operations; the high seas flotilla has 12 frigates, while the coastal flotilla has five corvettes and six submarines, plus mine warfare vessels, special operations forces, and marines; the marines cooperate closely with their Dutch counterparts, the Corps Mariniers, and together form a bi-national amphibious group; the Navy also has an aviation command for missions such as maritime surveillance, anti-submarine, and anti-surface warfare

the Air Force has commands for air, transport/logistics, and space operations; it has about 200 combat aircraft, plus dozens of aircraft for other missions, such as transport, tankers, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance, as well as more than 80 helicopters of various types (2023)

Elevation

highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m

lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.5 m

mean elevation: 263 m

Literacy

total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Current health expenditure

12.8% of GDP (2020)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 185,000 active-duty armed forces personnel (62,000 Army; 16,000 Navy; 27,000 Air Force; 20,000 Medical Service, 14,000 Cyber and Information Space Command; 45,000 other, including central staff, support, logistics, etc.) (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the inventory of Federal Armed Forces is comprised of weapons systems produced domestically or jointly with other European countries and Western imports, particularly from the US; in recent years, the US has been the leading foreign supplier; Germany's defense industry is capable of manufacturing the full spectrum of air, land, and naval military weapons systems, and Germany is one of the world's leading arms exporters; it also participates in joint defense production projects with the US and European partners (2024)

Military deployments

100 Estonia; up to 500 Iraq (NATO); Lebanon 170 (UNIFIL); up to 1,700 Lithuania (NATO); 100 Romania (NATO); 280 Slovakia (NATO) (2024)

note: the German military has over 2,000 ground forces, plus air and naval contingents deployed on some 18 foreign missions 

Terrorist group(s)

Terrorist group(s): Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); al-Qa'ida

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 10.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 17.68 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 400 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 51.046 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 24,415,302 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 47.8% (2015 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 10.7% of household expenditures (2018 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 3.2% of household expenditures (2018 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 10.73 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 727.97 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 49.92 megatons (2020 est.)

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Major lakes (area sq km)

fresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Austria) - 540 sq km

salt water lake(s): Stettiner Haff/Zalew Szczecinski (shared with Poland) - 900 sq km

Major rivers (by length in km)

Donau (Danube) river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhein (Rhine) (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 52 (49 cultural, 3 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Museumsinsel (Museum Island), Berlin (c); Palaces and Parks of Potsdam and Berlin (c); Speyer Cathedral (c); Upper Middle Rhine Valley (c); Aachen Cathedral (c); Bauhaus and its Sites in Weimar, Dessau, and Bernau (c); Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura (c); Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar, and Upper Harz Water Management System (c); Roman Monuments, Cathedral of St. Peter, and Church of Our Lady in Trier (c); Hanseatic City of Lübeck (c); Old Town of Regensburg (c); Messel Pit Fossil Site (n)

Coal

production: 114.86 million metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 145.379 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 2.317 million metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 31.503 million metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 35.9 billion metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 40.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 11.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 9.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 23.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 4.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 10.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

note: as of April 2023, Germany has closed its three remaining nuclear power plants

Natural gas

production: 5.129 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

consumption: 8.755 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.)

imports: 83.12 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 23.39 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 135,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 2,346,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,720,600 bbl/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 115.2 million barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.77 (2023 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

54.4% (2023 est.)

Remittances

0.47% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.49% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Nuclear energy

Number of operational nuclear reactors: 0

Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 0

Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 0GW

Percent of total electricity production: 0%

Percent of total energy produced: 0%

Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 33

Space program overview

has one of Europe’s largest space programs; is a key member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and one of its largest contributors; builds and operates satellites, satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs), space probes, unmanned orbiters, and reusable space planes; conducts research and develops a range of other space-related capabilities technologies, including satellite payloads (cameras, remote sensing, communications, optics, sensors, etc.), rockets and rocket propulsion, propulsion assisted landing technologies, and aeronautics; participates in ESA’s astronaut training program and human space flight operations and hosts the European Astronaut Center; participates in other international space programs, such as the International Space Station (ISS); hosts the mission control centers for the ISS and the ESA, as well as the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT); in addition to ESA/EU and their member states, has ties to a range of foreign space programs, including those of China, Japan, Russia, and the US; has a robust commercial space industry sector that develops a broad range of space capabilities, including satellite launchers, and cooperates closely with DLR, ESA, and other international commercial entities and government agencies (2023)

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in Appendix S

Space launch site(s)

none; launched an initiative in 2020 with the aim of launching SLVs from a floating, mobile platform in the North Sea, with a logistics base in Bremerhaven (2023)

Space agency/agencies

German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR; established 1997); predecessor organization, German Test and Research Institute for Aviation and Space Flight, was established in 1969; note – the Federal Republic of Germany was allowed to research space flight after gaining sovereignty in 1955 (2023)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 8

global geoparks and regional networks: Bergstraße-Odenwald ; Harz, Braunschweiger Land; Swabian Alb; TERRA.vita; Vulkaneifel; Thuringia Inselsberg -Drei Gleichen; Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa (includes Poland); Ries (2023)

Labor force

44.198 million (2022 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 7% (2021 est.)

male: 7.2%

female: 6.6%

Net migration rate

1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Median age

total: 46.7 years (2023 est.)

male: 45.4 years

female: 48.2 years

Debt - external

$5,671,463,000,000 (2019 est.)
$5,751,408,000,000 (2018 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$293.914 billion (2022 est.)
$295.736 billion (2021 est.)
$268.409 billion (2020 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Waterways

7,300 km (2022) (Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea)

Refined petroleum products - imports

883,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Public debt

63.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
67.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government and social security funds; the series are presented as a percentage of GDP and in millions of euros; GDP used as a denominator is the gross domestic product at current market prices; data expressed in national currency are converted into euro using end-of-year exchange rates provided by the European Central Bank

Total fertility rate

1.58 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Military expenditures

1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2022)
1.5% of GDP (2021)
1.5% of GDP (2020)
1.4% of GDP (2019)

Unemployment rate

3.14% (2022 est.)
3.64% (2021 est.)
3.86% (2020 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

84,220,184 (2023 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Internet users

total: 75.53 million (2021 est.)

percent of population: 91% (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

726.881 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 218.636 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 316.064 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 192.181 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Area

total: 357,022 sq km

land: 348,672 sq km

water: 8,350 sq km

Taxes and other revenues

11.18% (of GDP) (2021 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.523 trillion (2022 est.)
$4.442 trillion (2021 est.)
$4.306 trillion (2020 est.)

note: data in 2017 dollars

Roadways

total: 830,000 km 830,000 km

paved: 830,000 km (2022) (includes 13,155 km of expressways)

note: includes local roads

Airports

838 (2024)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)

male: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 106.4 million (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

31.7 (2019 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.87% (2022 est.)
3.07% (2021 est.)
0.14% (2020 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Refined petroleum products - exports

494,000 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Current account balance

$172.459 billion (2022 est.)
$329.969 billion (2021 est.)
$275.87 billion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$54,000 (2022 est.)
$53,400 (2021 est.)
$51,800 (2020 est.)

note: data in 2017 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 36,215,303 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2020 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 22% (2020 est.)

male: 24.1% (2020 est.)

female: 19.9% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.3% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

161.174 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Death rate

12 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Birth rate

9 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 248.265 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 500.35 billion kWh (2020 est.)

exports: 66.931 billion kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 48.047 billion kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 25.97 billion kWh (2020 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 595 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 1, container ship 69, general cargo 82, oil tanker 32, other 411

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.5% (2014/17)

Imports

$1.973 trillion (2022 est.)
$1.785 trillion (2021 est.)
$1.464 trillion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$2.06 trillion (2022 est.)
$2.021 trillion (2021 est.)
$1.692 trillion (2020 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 38.58 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

2.158 million bbl/day (2017 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 10.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 5.57 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 3.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 1.97 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 81.7 years (2023 est.)

male: 79.4 years

female: 84.2 years

Real GDP growth rate

1.81% (2022 est.)
3.16% (2021 est.)
-3.83% (2020 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

-0.92% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Railways

total: 39,379 km (2020) 20,942 km electrified

15 km 0.900-mm gauge, 24 km 0.750-mm gauge (2015)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.7% (2017 est.)

industry: 30.7% (2017 est.)

services: 68.6% (2017 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

4.7% of GDP (2020 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.12% (2023 est.)
Sources: