Testing embeddings

Sentence Transformer: all-MiniLM-L6-v2

Type your search: What is Germany?
(Document(page_content="Germany has been described as a [[great power]] with [[Economy of Germany|a strong economy]]; it has the [[List of sovereign states in Europe by GDP (nominal)|largest economy in Europe]], the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP]] and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fifth-largest by PPP]]. As a global power in industrial, [[Science and technology in Germany|scientific and technological]] sectors, it is both the world's [[List of countries by exports|third-largest exporter]] and [[List of countries by imports|importer]]. As a [[developed country]] it [[Social security in Germany|offers social security]], [[Healthcare in Germany|a universal health care system]] and [[Higher education in Germany|a tuition-free university education]]. Germany is a member of the [[United Nations]], the European Union, [[NATO]], the [[Council of Europe]], the [[G7]], the [[G20]] and the [[OECD]]. It has the [[List of World Heritage sites in Germany|third-greatest number]] of [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]s.", metadata={'source': '4'}), 0.7956284284591675)
Type your search: Where is Germany located?
(Document(page_content='Germany is the [[List of European countries by area|seventh-largest country]] in Europe;<ref name="CIA">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany/ |title=Germany |website=World Factbook |publisher=CIA |accessdate=29 March 2020 |archivedate=9 January 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109075739/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany |url-status=live }}</ref> bordering [[Denmark]] to the north, [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]] to the east, [[Austria]] to the southeast, and [[Switzerland]] to the south-southwest. [[France]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Belgium]] are situated to the west, with the [[Netherlands]] to the northwest. Germany is also bordered by the North Sea and, at the north-northeast, by the Baltic Sea. German territory covers {{convert|357022|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, consisting of {{convert|348672|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|8350|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of water.', metadata={'source': '41'}), 0.7727616429328918)
Type your search: What is music like in Germany?
(Document(page_content='=== Music ===\n\n{{Main|Music of Germany}}\n\n[[File:Beethoven.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Ludwig van Beethoven]] (1770–1827), composer]]', metadata={'source': '100'}), 1.0404777526855469)
Type your search: Types of music in Germany?
(Document(page_content='=== Music ===\n\n{{Main|Music of Germany}}\n\n[[File:Beethoven.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Ludwig van Beethoven]] (1770–1827), composer]]', metadata={'source': '100'}), 0.9345985651016235)
Type your search: How is climate in Germany?
(Document(page_content='=== Climate ===\nMost of Germany has a [[temperate]] climate, ranging from [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]] in the north and west to [[Continental climate|continental]] in the east and southeast. Winters range from the cold in the Southern Alps to cool and are generally overcast with limited precipitation, while summers can vary from hot and dry to cool and rainy. The northern regions have prevailing westerly winds that bring in moist air from the North Sea, moderating the temperature and increasing precipitation. Conversely, the southeast regions have more extreme temperatures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Climate|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|title=Germany: Climate|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124307/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Climate|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>', metadata={'source': '43'}), 0.602766215801239)
Type your search: What are the states in Germany?
(Document(page_content='=== Constituent states ===\n{{Main|States of Germany|Federalism in Germany|List of current Minister-presidents of the German federal states}}\nGermany is a [[federation]] and comprises [[States of Germany|sixteen constituent states]] which are collectively referred to as {{lang|de|Länder}}.<ref name="Britannica">{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany |title=Germany |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |url-status=live |accessdate=18 March 2021 |archivedate=13 June 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613043752/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany }}</ref> Each state ({{Lang|de|Land}}) has its own constitution,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.landtag.nrw.de/portal/WWW/GB_I/I.7/Europa/Wissenswertes/English_information/North_Rhine_Westphalia_Constitution_revised.jsp |title=Example for state constitution: "Constitution of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia" |publisher=[[Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia|Landtag (state assembly) of North Rhine-Westphalia]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117011619/http://www.landtag.nrw.de/portal/WWW/GB_I/I.7/Europa/Wissenswertes/English_information/North_Rhine_Westphalia_Constitution_revised.jsp |archivedate=17 January 2013 |accessdate=17 July 2011}}</ref> and is largely autonomous in regard to its internal organisation.<ref name="Britannica"/> {{As of|2017}} Germany is divided into 401 [[Districts of Germany|districts]] ({{lang|de|Kreise}}) at a municipal level; these consist of 294 [[List of rural districts of Germany|rural districts]] and 107 [[Urban districts of Germany|urban districts]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/Verwaltungsgliederung/Verwalt2QAktuell.xlsx?__blob=publicationFile |title=Verwaltungsgliederung in Deutschland am 30 June 2017 – Gebietsstand: 30 June 2017 (2. Quartal) |date=July 2017 |publisher=[[Statistisches Bundesamt]] Deutschland |language=German |format=XLS |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010084800/https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/Verwaltungsgliederung/Verwalt2QAktuell.xlsx?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=10 October 2017 |accessdate=9 August 2017}}</ref><!--"Kreis", "Landkreis" and 3 special regional districts count as rural districts; "Stadtkreis" and "kreisfreie Stadt" are urban districts.-->', metadata={'source': '53'}), 0.796591579914093)
Type your search: Tell me about the Law in Germany.   
(Document(page_content='Criminal and private laws are codified on the national level in the {{lang|de|[[Strafgesetzbuch]]}} and the {{lang|de|[[Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch]]}} respectively. The German penal system seeks the rehabilitation of the criminal and the protection of the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=§&nbsp;2 Strafvollzugsgesetz |language=de |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvollzg/__2.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501122109/http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvollzg/__2.html |archivedate=1 May 2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Except for petty crimes, which are tried before a single professional judge, and serious [[political crime]]s, all charges are tried before mixed tribunals on which [[lay judge]]s ({{lang|de|[[Schöffe]]n}}) sit side by side with professional judges.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-V-ng-8jOoQC&pg=PA23 |title=Criminal Justice in Germany |last1=Jehle |first1=Jörg-Martin |last2=German Federal Ministry of Justice |author2-link=Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany) |publisher=Forum-Verlag |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-936999-51-8 |page=23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922094303/https://books.google.com/books?id=-V-ng-8jOoQC&pg=PA23 |archivedate=22 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Casper |first1=Gerhard |last2=Zeisel |first2=Hans |author-link2=:de:Hans Zeisel |date=January 1972 |title=Lay Judges in the German Criminal Courts |journal=[[Journal of Legal Studies]] |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=135–191 |doi=10.1086/467481 |jstor=724014 |s2cid=144941508 |author1-link=Gerhard Casper}}</ref>', metadata={'source': '58'}), 0.8319143056869507)
Type your search: What about Demographics?
(Document(page_content='== Demographics ==\n\n{{Main|Demographics of Germany|Germans}}', metadata={'source': '78'}), 0.9281097650527954)
Type your search: How many people live in Germany?
(Document(page_content='== Demographics ==\n\n{{Main|Demographics of Germany|Germans}}', metadata={'source': '78'}), 0.9153034687042236)
Type your search: Germany population
(Document(page_content='== Demographics ==\n\n{{Main|Demographics of Germany|Germans}}', metadata={'source': '78'}), 0.8902984857559204)
Type your search: 

Vicuna

Type your search: What is Germany?
Sending prompt  What is Germany?
(Document(page_content='{{clear}}\n\n=== Law ===\n\n{{Main|Law of Germany|Judiciary of Germany|Law enforcement in Germany}}', metadata={'source': '56'}), 0.25790396332740784)
Type your search: Where is Germany located?
Sending prompt  Where is Germany located?
(Document(page_content="Formal [[unification of Germany]] into the modern nation-state was commenced on 18 August 1866 with the [[North German Confederation Treaty]] establishing the [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]-led [[North German Confederation]] later transformed in 1871 into the [[German Empire]]. After [[World War I]] and the [[German Revolution of 1918–1919]], the Empire was in turn transformed into the semi-presidential [[Weimar Republic]]. The [[Adolf Hitler's rise to power|Nazi seizure of power]] in 1933 led to the establishment of [[Nazi Germany|a totalitarian dictatorship]], [[World War II]], and [[the Holocaust]]. After the [[end of World War II in Europe]] and a period of [[Allied-occupied Germany|Allied occupation]], in 1949, [[Germany as a whole]] was organized into two separate polities with limited sovereignty: the Federal Republic of Germany, generally known as [[West Germany]], and the German Democratic Republic, [[East Germany]], while Berlin ''[[de jure]]'' continued its [[Four Power Agreement on Berlin|Four Power status]]. The Federal Republic of Germany was a founding member of the [[European Economic Community]] and the [[European Union]], while the German Democratic Republic was a communist [[Eastern Bloc]] state and member of the [[Warsaw Pact]]. After the [[Peaceful Revolution|fall]] of [[Socialist Unity Party of Germany|communist]] led-government in East Germany, [[German reunification]] saw the [[New states of Germany|former East German states]] join the Federal Republic of Germany on [[German Unity Day|3 October 1990]]—becoming a [[federal parliamentary republic]].", metadata={'source': '3'}), 0.23711107671260834)
Type your search:  What is music like in Germany?
Sending prompt  What is music like in Germany?
(Document(page_content='=== Infrastructure ===\n\n{{Main|Transport in Germany|Energy in Germany|Telecommunications in Germany|Water supply and sanitation in Germany}}\n\n[[File:ICE 3 Oberhaider-Wald-Tunnel.jpg|thumb|right|An [[ICE 3]] on the [[Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line]]]]', metadata={'source': '72'}), 0.17445217072963715)
Type your search: Types of music in Germany?
Sending prompt  Types of music in Germany?
(Document(page_content='{{clear}}\n\n=== Law ===\n\n{{Main|Law of Germany|Judiciary of Germany|Law enforcement in Germany}}', metadata={'source': '56'}), 0.1916220486164093)
Type your search: How is climate in Germany?
Sending prompt  How is climate in Germany?
(Document(page_content='=== Infrastructure ===\n\n{{Main|Transport in Germany|Energy in Germany|Telecommunications in Germany|Water supply and sanitation in Germany}}\n\n[[File:ICE 3 Oberhaider-Wald-Tunnel.jpg|thumb|right|An [[ICE 3]] on the [[Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line]]]]', metadata={'source': '72'}), 0.19269950687885284)
Type your search: What are the states in Germany?
Sending prompt  What are the states in Germany?
(Document(page_content="Formal [[unification of Germany]] into the modern nation-state was commenced on 18 August 1866 with the [[North German Confederation Treaty]] establishing the [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]-led [[North German Confederation]] later transformed in 1871 into the [[German Empire]]. After [[World War I]] and the [[German Revolution of 1918–1919]], the Empire was in turn transformed into the semi-presidential [[Weimar Republic]]. The [[Adolf Hitler's rise to power|Nazi seizure of power]] in 1933 led to the establishment of [[Nazi Germany|a totalitarian dictatorship]], [[World War II]], and [[the Holocaust]]. After the [[end of World War II in Europe]] and a period of [[Allied-occupied Germany|Allied occupation]], in 1949, [[Germany as a whole]] was organized into two separate polities with limited sovereignty: the Federal Republic of Germany, generally known as [[West Germany]], and the German Democratic Republic, [[East Germany]], while Berlin ''[[de jure]]'' continued its [[Four Power Agreement on Berlin|Four Power status]]. The Federal Republic of Germany was a founding member of the [[European Economic Community]] and the [[European Union]], while the German Democratic Republic was a communist [[Eastern Bloc]] state and member of the [[Warsaw Pact]]. After the [[Peaceful Revolution|fall]] of [[Socialist Unity Party of Germany|communist]] led-government in East Germany, [[German reunification]] saw the [[New states of Germany|former East German states]] join the Federal Republic of Germany on [[German Unity Day|3 October 1990]]—becoming a [[federal parliamentary republic]].", metadata={'source': '3'}), 0.14908373355865479)
Type your search: Tell me about the Law in Germany.
Sending prompt  Tell me about the Law in Germany.
(Document(page_content="Formal [[unification of Germany]] into the modern nation-state was commenced on 18 August 1866 with the [[North German Confederation Treaty]] establishing the [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]-led [[North German Confederation]] later transformed in 1871 into the [[German Empire]]. After [[World War I]] and the [[German Revolution of 1918–1919]], the Empire was in turn transformed into the semi-presidential [[Weimar Republic]]. The [[Adolf Hitler's rise to power|Nazi seizure of power]] in 1933 led to the establishment of [[Nazi Germany|a totalitarian dictatorship]], [[World War II]], and [[the Holocaust]]. After the [[end of World War II in Europe]] and a period of [[Allied-occupied Germany|Allied occupation]], in 1949, [[Germany as a whole]] was organized into two separate polities with limited sovereignty: the Federal Republic of Germany, generally known as [[West Germany]], and the German Democratic Republic, [[East Germany]], while Berlin ''[[de jure]]'' continued its [[Four Power Agreement on Berlin|Four Power status]]. The Federal Republic of Germany was a founding member of the [[European Economic Community]] and the [[European Union]], while the German Democratic Republic was a communist [[Eastern Bloc]] state and member of the [[Warsaw Pact]]. After the [[Peaceful Revolution|fall]] of [[Socialist Unity Party of Germany|communist]] led-government in East Germany, [[German reunification]] saw the [[New states of Germany|former East German states]] join the Federal Republic of Germany on [[German Unity Day|3 October 1990]]—becoming a [[federal parliamentary republic]].", metadata={'source': '3'}), 0.133097842335701)
Type your search:  What about Demographics?
Sending prompt  What about Demographics?
(Document(page_content='== Demographics ==\n\n{{Main|Demographics of Germany|Germans}}', metadata={'source': '78'}), 0.1663506031036377)
Type your search: How many people live in Germany?
Sending prompt  How many people live in Germany?
(Document(page_content="Formal [[unification of Germany]] into the modern nation-state was commenced on 18 August 1866 with the [[North German Confederation Treaty]] establishing the [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]-led [[North German Confederation]] later transformed in 1871 into the [[German Empire]]. After [[World War I]] and the [[German Revolution of 1918–1919]], the Empire was in turn transformed into the semi-presidential [[Weimar Republic]]. The [[Adolf Hitler's rise to power|Nazi seizure of power]] in 1933 led to the establishment of [[Nazi Germany|a totalitarian dictatorship]], [[World War II]], and [[the Holocaust]]. After the [[end of World War II in Europe]] and a period of [[Allied-occupied Germany|Allied occupation]], in 1949, [[Germany as a whole]] was organized into two separate polities with limited sovereignty: the Federal Republic of Germany, generally known as [[West Germany]], and the German Democratic Republic, [[East Germany]], while Berlin ''[[de jure]]'' continued its [[Four Power Agreement on Berlin|Four Power status]]. The Federal Republic of Germany was a founding member of the [[European Economic Community]] and the [[European Union]], while the German Democratic Republic was a communist [[Eastern Bloc]] state and member of the [[Warsaw Pact]]. After the [[Peaceful Revolution|fall]] of [[Socialist Unity Party of Germany|communist]] led-government in East Germany, [[German reunification]] saw the [[New states of Germany|former East German states]] join the Federal Republic of Germany on [[German Unity Day|3 October 1990]]—becoming a [[federal parliamentary republic]].", metadata={'source': '3'}), 0.1791595220565796)
Type your search: Germany population
Sending prompt  Germany population
(Document(page_content='=== Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany ===\n\n{{Main|Weimar Republic|Nazi Germany}}', metadata={'source': '24'}), 0.4850788414478302)
Type your search: 

X Original text

{{Short description|Country in Central Europe}}
{{Redirect|Deutschland|other uses|Deutschland (disambiguation)|and|Germany (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|Federal Republic of Germany|the republic from 1949 to 1990|West Germany|the republic since 1990|History of Germany (1990–present)}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
{{featured article}}
{{use British English|date=August 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{coord|51|N|9|E|display=title}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Federal Republic of Germany
| common_name            = Germany
| native_name            = {{nowrap|{{small|{{native name|de|Bundesrepublik Deutschland}}}}}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Germany.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of arms of Germany.svg
| coa_size               = 80
| national_anthem        = {{lang|de|[[Deutschlandlied]]}}{{efn|From 1952 to 1990, the entire "Deutschlandlied" was the national anthem, but only the third verse was sung on official occasions. Since 1991, the third verse alone has been the national anthem.<ref name="PresidentsOffice">{{cite web|url=http://www.bundespraesident.de/DE/Amt-und-Aufgaben/Wirken-im-Inland/Repraesentation-und-Integration/repraesentation-und-integration-node.html|title=Repräsentation und Integration|publisher=[[Bundespräsidialamt]]|language=de|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307221541/http://www.bundespraesident.de/DE/Amt-und-Aufgaben/Wirken-im-Inland/Repraesentation-und-Integration/repraesentation-und-integration-node.html|archivedate=7 March 2016|accessdate=8 March 2016}}</ref>}}<br/>"Song of Germany"<br/><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|[[File:German national anthem performed by the US Navy Band.ogg]]}}</div>
| image_map              = {{switcher|[[File:EU-Germany (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:EU-Germany.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Europe|default=1}}
| map_caption            = {{map caption
  | location_color = dark green
  | region = Europe
  | region_color = dark grey
  | subregion = the [[European Union]]
  | subregion_color = light green
  }}
| map_width              = 250px
| capital                = [[Berlin]]<small>{{efn|Berlin is the sole constitutional capital and ''de jure'' seat of government, but the former provisional capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, [[Bonn]], has the special title of "federal city" ({{lang|de|Bundesstadt}}) and is the primary seat of six ministries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/politics/the-german-federal-government|website=deutschland.de|title=The German Federal Government|date=23 January 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430004825/https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/politics/the-german-federal-government|archivedate=30 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}</small>
| coordinates            = {{Coord|52|31|N|13|23|E|type:city}}
| largest_city           = capital
| official_languages     = [[German language|German]]{{efn|[[Danish language|Danish]], [[Low German]], [[Sorbian languages|Sorbian]], [[Romani language|Romani]], and [[Frisian languages|Frisian]] are recognised by the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2018/09/the-protection-of-minority-and-regional-languages-in-germany/|publisher=Library of Congress|last=Gesley|first=Jenny|title=The Protection of Minority and Regional Languages in Germany|date=26 September 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525092638/https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2018/09/the-protection-of-minority-and-regional-languages-in-germany/|archivedate=25 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>}}
| demonym                = [[Germans|German]]
| government_type        = [[Federal parliamentary republic]]<ref name="CIA"/>
| leader_title1          = [[President of Germany|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]]
| leader_title2          = [[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor]]
| leader_name2           = [[Olaf Scholz]]
| legislature            = [[Bundestag]], [[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]]{{efn|The Bundesrat is sometimes referred to as an upper chamber of the German legislature. This is technically incorrect, since the German Constitution defines the Bundestag and Bundesrat as two separate legislative institutions. Hence, the federal legislature of Germany consists of two unicameral legislative institutions, not one bicameral parliament.}}
| area_km2               = 357,592
| area_footnote          = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Laender-Regionen/Regionales/_inhalt.html|accessdate=2 January 2023|title=Regionales|publisher=Destatis}}</ref>
| area_rank              = 63rd <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| area_sq_mi             = 137,847 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| percent_water          = 1.27 (2015)<ref>{{cite web|title=Surface water and surface water change|accessdate=11 October 2020|publisher=[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] (OECD)|url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER#|archivedate=24 March 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324133453/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=SURFACE_WATER|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_estimate    = {{increase neutral}} 84,270,625<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Bevoelkerung/Bevoelkerungsstand/Tabellen/liste-zensus-geschlecht-staatsangehoerigkeit.html |publisher=Destatis|accessdate=7 February 2023|title=Bevölkerung nach Nationalität und Geschlecht (Quartalszahlen)}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = Q3 2022
| population_estimate_rank = 19th
| population_density_km2 = 232
| population_density_sq_mi = 601 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| population_density_rank = 58th
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $5.317 trillion<ref name="imf2">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2022/October/weo-report?c=134,&s=NGDP_RPCH,NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2019&ey=2026&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook database: October 2022 |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |date=October 2022 |accessdate=12 October 2022}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 5th
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2022
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $63,835<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 18th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $4.031 trillion<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 4th
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2022
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $48,398<ref name="imf2" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 20th
| Gini                   = 30.5 <!--number only-->
| Gini_year              = 2020
| Gini_change            = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name="eurogini">{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en|title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income|publisher=[[Eurostat]]|accessdate=21 June 2022|archivedate=9 October 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009091832/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI                    = 0.942 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year               = 2021<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908052326/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2021-22pdf_1.pdf |archivedate=8 September 2022 |title=Human Development Report 2021/2022|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|date=8 September 2022}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 9th
| currency               = [[Euro]] ([[Euro sign|€]])
| currency_code          = EUR
| time_zone              = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset             = +1
| utc_offset_DST         = +2
| time_zone_DST          = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| cctld                  = [[.de]]
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Germany|+49]]
| today                  = 
| drives_on              = Right
}}

'''Germany''',{{efn|{{lang-de|Deutschland}}, {{IPA-de|ˈdɔʏtʃlant|pron|De-Deutschland.ogg}}}} officially the '''Federal Republic of Germany''',{{efn|{{Lang-de|Bundesrepublik Deutschland}}, {{IPA-de|ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant|pron|De-Bundesrepublik Deutschland.ogg}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Duden, Aussprachewörterbuch|publisher=Dudenverlag|year=2005|isbn=978-3-411-04066-7|editor-last=Mangold|editor-first=Max|edition=6th|pages=271, 53f|language=de}}</ref>}} is a country in [[Central Europe]]. It is the [[List of European countries by population|second-most populous country]] in Europe after [[Russia]], and the most populous [[member state of the European Union]]. Germany is situated between the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] and [[North Sea|North]] seas to the north, and the [[Alps]] to the south. Its 16 [[States of Germany|constituent states]] are bordered by [[Denmark]] to the north, [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]] to the east, [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]] to the south, and [[France]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Belgium]], and the [[Netherlands]] to the west. The nation's capital and [[List of cities in Germany by population|most populous city]] is [[Berlin]] and its main financial centre is [[Frankfurt]]; the largest urban area is the [[Ruhr]].

Various [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]] [[List of ancient Germanic peoples|tribes]] have inhabited the northern parts of modern Germany since [[classical antiquity]]. A region named [[Germania]] was documented before AD 100. In 962, the [[Kingdom of Germany]] formed the bulk of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. During the 16th century, [[Northern Germany|northern German regions]] became the centre of the [[Reformation|Protestant Reformation]]. Following the [[Napoleonic Wars]] and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, the [[German Confederation]] was formed in 1815.

Formal [[unification of Germany]] into the modern nation-state was commenced on 18 August 1866 with the [[North German Confederation Treaty]] establishing the [[Kingdom of Prussia|Prussia]]-led [[North German Confederation]] later transformed in 1871 into the [[German Empire]]. After [[World War I]] and the [[German Revolution of 1918–1919]], the Empire was in turn transformed into the semi-presidential [[Weimar Republic]]. The [[Adolf Hitler's rise to power|Nazi seizure of power]] in 1933 led to the establishment of [[Nazi Germany|a totalitarian dictatorship]], [[World War II]], and [[the Holocaust]]. After the [[end of World War II in Europe]] and a period of [[Allied-occupied Germany|Allied occupation]], in 1949, [[Germany as a whole]] was organized into two separate polities with limited sovereignty: the Federal Republic of Germany, generally known as [[West Germany]], and the German Democratic Republic, [[East Germany]], while Berlin ''[[de jure]]'' continued its [[Four Power Agreement on Berlin|Four Power status]]. The Federal Republic of Germany was a founding member of the [[European Economic Community]] and the [[European Union]], while the German Democratic Republic was a communist [[Eastern Bloc]] state and member of the [[Warsaw Pact]]. After the [[Peaceful Revolution|fall]] of [[Socialist Unity Party of Germany|communist]] led-government in East Germany, [[German reunification]] saw the [[New states of Germany|former East German states]] join the Federal Republic of Germany on [[German Unity Day|3 October 1990]]—becoming a [[federal parliamentary republic]].

Germany has been described as a [[great power]] with [[Economy of Germany|a strong economy]]; it has the [[List of sovereign states in Europe by GDP (nominal)|largest economy in Europe]], the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP]] and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fifth-largest by PPP]]. As a global power in industrial, [[Science and technology in Germany|scientific and technological]] sectors, it is both the world's [[List of countries by exports|third-largest exporter]] and [[List of countries by imports|importer]]. As a [[developed country]] it [[Social security in Germany|offers social security]], [[Healthcare in Germany|a universal health care system]] and [[Higher education in Germany|a tuition-free university education]]. Germany is a member of the [[United Nations]], the European Union, [[NATO]], the [[Council of Europe]], the [[G7]], the [[G20]] and the [[OECD]]. It has the [[List of World Heritage sites in Germany|third-greatest number]] of [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]]s.

== Etymology ==<!--linked-->

{{Further|Names of Germany|Germani|Germania}}

The English word ''Germany'' derives from the Latin {{lang|la|[[Germania]]}}, which came into use after [[Julius Caesar]] adopted it for the peoples east of the [[Rhine]].<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/germany00hage/page/4 |title=Germany: A New History |last=Schulze |first=Hagen |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-674-80688-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/germany00hage/page/4 4] |author-link=Hagen Schulze}}</ref> The [[German language|German]] term {{lang|de|Deutschland}}, originally {{lang|gmh|diutisciu land}} ('the German lands') is derived from {{wikt-lang|de|deutsch}} ([[cf.]] ''[[wikt:Dutch#English|Dutch]]''), descended from [[Old High German]] {{lang|goh|diutisc}} 'of the people' (from {{lang|goh|diot}} or {{lang|goh|diota}} 'people'), originally used to distinguish the [[Vernacular|language of the common people]] from [[Latin]] and its [[Romance languages|Romance descendants]]. This in turn descends from [[Proto-Germanic language|Proto-Germanic]] {{lang|gem-x-proto|[[wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/þiudiskaz|þiudiskaz]]}} 'of the people' (see also the Latinised form {{lang|la|[[Theodiscus]]}}), derived from {{lang|gem-x-proto|[[wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Germanic/þeudō|þeudō]]}}, descended from [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] *''{{PIE|[[wikt:Reconstruction:Proto-Indo-European/tewtéh₂|tewtéh₂-]]}}'' 'people', from which the word ''[[Teutons]]'' also originates.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iKfYGNwwNVIC&pg=PA523 |title=Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Althochdeutschen, Band II |last1=Lloyd |first1=Albert L. |last2=Lühr |first2=Rosemarie |last3=Springer |first3=Otto |publisher=Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht |year=1998 |isbn=978-3-525-20768-0 |pages=699–704 |language=German |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911012455/https://books.google.com/books?id=iKfYGNwwNVIC&pg=PA523 |archivedate=11 September 2015 |url-status=live}} (for {{lang|goh|diutisc}}). {{cite book |last1=Lloyd |first1=Albert L. |title=Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Althochdeutschen, Band II |year=1998 |publisher=Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht |isbn=978-3-525-20768-0 |pages=685–686|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iKfYGNwwNVIC&pg=PA516 |last2=Lühr |first2=Rosemarie |last3=Springer |first3=Otto |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916000730/https://books.google.com/books?id=iKfYGNwwNVIC&pg=PA516 |archivedate=16 September 2015 }} (for {{lang|goh|diot}}).</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of Germany}}
{{For timeline|Timeline of German history}}

Pre-human ancestors, the [[Danuvius guggenmosi]], who were present in Germany over 11 million years ago, are theorized to be among the earliest ones to walk on two legs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McRae |first1=Mike |title=We Just Found an 11-Million-Year-Old Ancestor That Hints How Humans Began to Walk |url=https://www.sciencealert.com/discovery-of-a-new-11-million-year-old-ancestor-reveals-how-humans-began-to-walk |work=ScienceAlert |date=6 November 2019}}</ref> Ancient humans were present in Germany at least 600,000 years ago.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Wagner |first1=G. A |last2=Krbetschek |first2=M |last3=Degering |first3=D |last4=Bahain |first4=J.-J |last5=Shao |first5=Q |last6=Falgueres |first6=C |last7=Voinchet |first7=P |last8=Dolo |first8=J.-M |last9=Garcia |first9=T |last10=Rightmire |first10=G. P |date=27 August 2010 |title=Radiometric dating of the type-site for Homo heidelbergensis at Mauer, Germany |journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America|PNAS]] |volume=107 |issue=46 |pages=19726–19730 |bibcode=2010PNAS..10719726W |doi=10.1073/pnas.1012722107 |pmc=2993404 |pmid=21041630 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The first non-modern human fossil (the [[Neanderthal]]) was discovered in the [[Neandertal (valley)|Neander Valley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/who-were-the-neanderthals.html|publisher=Natural History Museum|title=Who were the Neanderthals?|last=Hendry|first=Lisa|date=5 May 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330003649/https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/who-were-the-neanderthals.html|archivedate=30 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly dated evidence of modern humans has been found in the [[Caves and Ice Age Art in the Swabian Jura|Swabian Jura]], including 42,000-year-old flutes which are the oldest musical instruments ever found,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18196349 |title=Earliest music instruments found |date=25 May 2012 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903041534/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18196349 |archivedate=3 September 2017 }}</ref> the 40,000-year-old [[Lion-man|Lion Man]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Ice-Age-iLion-Mani-is-worlds-earliest-figurative-sculpture/28595 |title=Ice Age Lion Man is world's earliest figurative sculpture |date=31 January 2013 |website=[[The Art Newspaper]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215162121/http://www.theartnewspaper.com/articles/Ice-Age-iLion-Mani-is-worlds-earliest-figurative-sculpture/28595 |archivedate=15 February 2015 }}</ref> and the 35,000-year-old [[Venus of Hohle Fels]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/nature07995|journal=Nature|volume=459|title=A female figurine from the basal Aurignacian of Hohle Fels Cave in southwestern Germany|last=Conard|first=Nicholas|year=2009|issue=7244|pages=248–252|doi=10.1038/nature07995|pmid=19444215|bibcode=2009Natur.459..248C|s2cid=205216692 |accessdate=12 March 2020|archivedate=12 February 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212045830/https://www.nature.com/articles/nature07995|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Nebra sky disk]], created during the [[European Bronze Age]], has been attributed to a German site.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-6/nebra-sky-disc/ |title=Nebra Sky Disc |date=2013 |publisher=UNESCO |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011061740/http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-6/nebra-sky-disc/ |archivedate=11 October 2014 }}</ref>

=== Germanic tribes and The Frankish Empire ===

{{Main|Jastorf culture|Germanic peoples|Germania|Migration Period|Frankish Realm}}

The [[Germanic peoples]] are [[ethnogenesis|thought to date from]] the [[Nordic Bronze Age]], early [[Pre-Roman Iron Age|Iron Age]], or the [[Jastorf culture]].<ref name="Heather">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/History#ref58082 |title=Germany: Ancient History |last=Heather |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Heather |encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Britannica Online]] |accessdate=21 November 2020|archivedate=31 March 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331232159/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/History#ref58082 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Germanic Tribes (Teutons)|website=History Files |url=https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsEurope/BarbarianGermanics.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426121258/https://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsEurope/BarbarianGermanics.htm |archivedate=26 April 2020 |url-status=live|accessdate=16 March 2020}}</ref> From southern [[Scandinavia]] and [[northern Germany]], they expanded south, east, and west, coming into contact with the [[Celts|Celt]]ic, [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]], [[Balts|Baltic]], and [[Early Slavs|Slavic]] tribes.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/unset0000unse_g6n9/page/35 |title=Medieval Experience: 300–1400 |last=Claster |first=Jill N. |publisher=New York University Press |year=1982 |isbn=978-0-8147-1381-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/unset0000unse_g6n9/page/35 35]}}</ref>

[[File:Roman Trier model 1.jpg|thumb|right|Model of [[History of Trier|Augusta Treverorum]] (Trier) in the 4th century]]
Under [[Augustus]], the [[Roman Empire]] began to invade lands inhabited by the Germanic tribes, creating a short-lived Roman province of [[Germania Antiqua|Germania]] between the Rhine and [[Elbe]] rivers. In 9&nbsp;AD, three [[Roman legion]]s were [[Battle of the Teutoburg Forest|defeated]] by [[Arminius]].<ref>{{cite book|page=13|title=The Battle That Stopped Rome: Emperor Augustus, Arminius, and the Slaughter of the Legions in the Teutoburg Forest|last=Wells|first=Peter|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|year=2004|isbn=978-0-393-35203-0}}</ref> By 100&nbsp;AD, when [[Tacitus]] wrote ''[[Germania (book)|Germania]]'', Germanic tribes had settled along the Rhine and the Danube (the [[Limes Germanicus]]), occupying most of modern Germany. However, [[Baden Württemberg|Baden-Württemberg]], southern [[Bavaria]], southern [[Hesse]] and the western [[Rhineland]] had been [[Germanic Wars|incorporated]] into [[Roman province]]s.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=9–13}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Modi |first=J. J. |date=1916 |title=The Ancient Germans: Their History, Constitution, Religion, Manners and Customs |url=https://archive.org/stream/TheJournalOfTheAnthropologicalSocietyOfBombay/The-Journal-of-the-Anthropological-society-of-Bombay#page/n651/mode/2up |journal=The Journal of the Anthropological Society of Bombay |volume=10 |issue=7 |quote=Raetia (modern Bavaria and the adjoining country) |page=647}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Cambridge Ancient History: X, The Augustan Empire, 43 B.C. – A.D. 69 |last=Rüger |first=C. |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-521-26430-3 |editor-last=Bowman |editor-first=Alan K. |edition=2nd |volume=10 |pages=527–28 |chapter=Germany |orig-year=1996 |editor-last2=Champlin |editor-first2=Edward |editor-last3=Lintott |editor-first3=Andrew |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JZLW4-wba7UC&pg=PA528 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161223193524/https://books.google.com/books?id=JZLW4-wba7UC&pg=PA528 |archivedate=23 December 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Around 260, Germanic peoples broke into Roman-controlled lands.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The crisis of empire, A.D. 193–337 |last1=Bowman |first1=Alan K. |last2=Garnsey |first2=Peter |last3=Cameron |first3=Averil |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-0-521-30199-2 |series=The Cambridge Ancient History |volume=12 |page=442}}</ref> After the invasion of the [[Huns]] in 375, and with the decline of Rome from 395, Germanic tribes moved farther southwest: the Franks established the [[Frankish Kingdom]] and pushed east to subjugate [[Duchy of Saxony|Saxony]] and [[Duchy of Bavaria|Bavaria]], and areas of what is today eastern Germany were inhabited by [[West Slavs|Western Slavic]] tribes.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=9–13}}
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=== East Francia and The Holy Roman Empire ===

{{Main|East Francia|Holy Roman Empire}}

[[File:East Francia 843.svg|thumb|upright=1.05|right|The kingdom of [[East Francia]] in 843]]
[[Charlemagne]] founded the [[Carolingian Empire]] in 800; it was [[Treaty of Verdun|divided in 843]].{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|p= 11}} The eastern successor kingdom of [[East Francia]] stretched from the Rhine in the west to the Elbe river in the east and from the North Sea to the Alps.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|p= 11}} Subsequently, the Holy Roman Empire emerged from it. The [[Ottonian]] rulers (919–1024) consolidated several major [[Stem duchy|duchies]].<ref>{{cite book|page=55|title=Franks and Saracens|last=Falk|first=Avner|publisher=Routledge|year=2018|isbn=978-0-429-89969-0}}</ref> In 996, [[Pope Gregory V|Gregory V]] became the first German Pope, appointed by his cousin [[Otto III]], whom he shortly after crowned Holy Roman Emperor. The Holy Roman Empire absorbed northern Italy and [[Burgundy (historical region)|Burgundy]] under the [[Salian]] emperors (1024–1125), although the emperors lost power through the [[Investiture Controversy]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Lives of the Popes: The Pontiffs from St. Peter to Benedict XVI |last=McBrien, Richard |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2000 |page=138}}</ref>

Under the [[House of Hohenstaufen|Hohenstaufen]] emperors (1138–1254), German princes encouraged German settlement to the south and east ({{lang|de|[[Ostsiedlung]]}}).{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp= 19–20}} Members of the [[Hanseatic League]], mostly north German towns, prospered in the expansion of trade.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp= 13–24}} The population declined starting with the [[Great Famine of 1315–1317|Great Famine]] in 1315, followed by the [[Black Death]] of 1348–50.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nelson |first=Lynn Harry |url=http://www.vlib.us/medieval/lectures/black_death.html |title=The Great Famine (1315–1317) and the Black Death (1346–1351) |publisher=University of Kansas |accessdate=19 March 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429072010/http://www.vlib.us/medieval/lectures/black_death.html |archivedate=29 April 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Golden Bull of 1356|Golden Bull]] issued in 1356 provided the constitutional structure of the Empire and codified the election of the emperor by seven [[prince-elector]]s.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|p= 27}}

[[File:Lucas Cranach d.Ä. - Martin Luther, 1528 (Veste Coburg).jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.75|[[Martin Luther]] (1483–1546), [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Reformation|Reformer]]]]

[[Johannes Gutenberg]] introduced moveable-type [[printing]] to Europe, laying the basis for the [[democratization of knowledge]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Eisenstein|first=Elizabeth|year=1980|pages=[https://archive.org/details/printingpressasa00eise_181/page/n24 3]–43|title=The printing press as an agent of change|url=https://archive.org/details/printingpressasa00eise_181|url-access=limited|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-29955-8}}</ref> In 1517, [[Martin Luther]] incited the Protestant Reformation and his [[Luther Bible|translation of the Bible]] began the standardization of the language; the 1555 [[Peace of Augsburg]] tolerated the "Evangelical" faith ([[Lutheranism]]), but also decreed that the faith of the prince was to be the faith of his subjects ({{lang|la|[[cuius regio, eius religio]]}}).<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.barcelonagse.eu/sites/default/files/working_paper_pdfs/540.pdf|last=Cantoni|first=Davide |title=Adopting a New Religion: The Case of Protestantism in 16th Century Germany|year=2011 |journal=Barcelona GSE Working Paper Series |accessdate=17 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809160613/http://www.barcelonagse.eu/sites/default/files/working_paper_pdfs/540.pdf |archivedate=9 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> From the [[Cologne War]] through the [[Thirty Years' War]]s (1618–1648), religious conflict devastated German lands and significantly reduced the population.<ref name="Philpott">{{Cite journal |last=Philpott |first=Daniel |date=January 2000 |title=The Religious Roots of Modern International Relations |journal=World Politics |volume=52 |issue=2 |pages=206–245 |doi=10.1017/S0043887100002604|s2cid=40773221 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/savagewarsofpeac0000macf/page/51 |title=The Savage Wars of Peace: England, Japan and the Malthusian Trap |last=Macfarlane |first=Alan |publisher=Blackwell |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-631-18117-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/savagewarsofpeac0000macf/page/51 51]}}</ref>

The [[Peace of Westphalia]] ended religious warfare among the [[Imperial Estate]]s;<ref name="Philpott" /> their mostly German-speaking rulers were able to choose [[Roman Catholicism]], [[Lutheranism]], or the Reformed faith as their official religion.<ref>For a general discussion of the impact of the Reformation on the Holy Roman Empire, see {{cite book|last=Holborn|first=Hajo|author-link=Hajo Holborn|title=A History of Modern Germany, The Reformation |publisher=Princeton University Press|year= 1959|pages=123–248}}</ref> The legal system initiated by a series of [[Imperial Reform]]s (approximately 1495–1555) provided for considerable local autonomy and a stronger [[Imperial Diet (Holy Roman Empire)|Imperial Diet]].<ref>{{cite book|page=113 |title=Law and Empire: Ideas, Practices, Actors|editor1=Jeroen Duindam |editor2=Jill Diana Harries |editor3=Caroline Humfress |editor4=Hurvitz Nimrod |publisher=Brill|year=2013|isbn=978-90-04-24951-6}}</ref> The [[House of Habsburg]] held the imperial crown from 1438 until the death of [[Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles VI]] in 1740. Following the [[War of the Austrian Succession]] and the [[Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)|Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle]], Charles VI's daughter [[Maria Theresa]] ruled as [[Queen consort|empress consort]] when her husband, [[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis I]], became emperor.<ref>{{cite book|page=[https://archive.org/details/culturespowereur00scot_130/page/n62 45]|title=Cultures of Power in Europe during the Long Eighteenth Century|editor1=Hamish Scott |editor2=Brendan Simms|year=2007 |url=https://archive.org/details/culturespowereur00scot_130|url-access=limited|isbn=978-1-139-46377-5 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=British Museum|accessdate=15 March 2020|url=https://research.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/term_details.aspx?bioId=49231|title=Maria Theresa, Holy Roman Empress and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152726/https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG111929|url-status=live}}</ref>

From 1740, [[German dualism|dualism]] between the Austrian [[Habsburg monarchy]] and the [[Kingdom of Prussia]] dominated German history. In 1772, 1793, and 1795, Prussia and Austria, along with the [[Russian Empire]], agreed to the [[Partitions of Poland]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=A History of Eastern Europe: Crisis and Change |url=https://archive.org/details/historyeasterneu00bide_296 |url-access=limited |last1=Bideleux |first1=Robert |last2=Jeffries |first2=Ian |publisher=Routledge |year=1998 |page=[https://archive.org/details/historyeasterneu00bide_296/page/n171 156]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Region, State and Identity in Central and Eastern Europe |last1=Batt |first1=Judy |last2=Wolczuk |first2=Kataryna |publisher=Routledge |year=2002 |page=153}}</ref> During the period of the [[French Revolutionary Wars]], the [[Napoleonic era]] and the subsequent [[Final Recess of the Reichsdeputation|final meeting of the Imperial Diet]], most of the [[Free Imperial Cities]] were annexed by dynastic territories; the ecclesiastical territories were secularised and annexed. In 1806 the {{lang|de|Imperium}} was dissolved; France, Russia, Prussia and the Habsburgs (Austria) competed for hegemony in the German states during the [[Napoleonic Wars]].{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|p= 97}}

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=== German Confederation and Empire ===

{{Main|German question|German Confederation|Unification of Germany|German Empire|German colonial empire}}

[[File:German Confederation (1815).svg|thumb|The [[German Confederation]] in 1815]]

Following the fall of [[Napoleon]], the [[Congress of Vienna]] founded the German Confederation, a loose league of [[States of the German Confederation|39 sovereign states]]. The appointment of the [[emperor of Austria]] as the permanent president reflected the Congress's rejection of [[Prussia]]'s rising influence. Disagreement within [[Concert of Europe|restoration]] politics partly led to the rise of [[Liberalism in Germany|liberal]] movements, followed by new measures of repression by Austrian statesman [[Klemens von Metternich]].<ref>{{cite book|pages=307–308|title=The Wiley-Blackwell Dictionary of Modern European History Since 1789|editor1=Nicholas Atkin |editor2=Michael Biddiss |editor3=Frank Tallett|publisher=Wiley|year=2011|isbn=978-1-4443-9072-8}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=Austria, Prussia, and the German Confederation: The Defense of Central Europe, 1815–1854|last=Sondhaus|first=Lawrence|pages=50–74|editor1=Talbot C. Imlay |editor2=Monica Duffy Toft|title=The Fog of Peace and War Planning: Military and Strategic Planning under Uncertainty|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|isbn=978-1-134-21088-6}}</ref> The {{lang|de|[[Zollverein]]}}, a tariff union, furthered economic unity.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Henderson |first=W. O. |date=January 1934 |title=The Zollverein |journal=History |volume=19 |issue=73 |pages=1–19 |doi=10.1111/j.1468-229X.1934.tb01791.x}}</ref> In light of [[Revolutions of 1848|revolutionary movements in Europe]], intellectuals and commoners started the [[German revolutions of 1848–1849|revolutions of 1848 in the German states]], raising the German question. King [[Frederick William IV of Prussia]] was offered the title of emperor, but with a loss of power; he rejected the crown and the proposed constitution, a temporary setback for the movement.<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=40963126|title='The Old Forms are Breaking Up, ... Our New Germany is Rebuilding Itself': Constitutionalism, Nationalism and the Creation of a German Polity during the Revolutions of 1848–49|last=Hewitson|first=Mark|journal=The English Historical Review|volume=125|number=516|pages=1173–1214|year=2010|doi=10.1093/ehr/ceq276}}</ref>

King [[William I, German Emperor|William I]] appointed [[Otto von Bismarck]] as the [[Minister President of Prussia|minister president of Prussia]] in 1862. Bismarck successfully concluded the [[Second Schleswig War|war with Denmark in 1864]]; the subsequent decisive Prussian victory in the [[Austro-Prussian War]] of 1866 enabled him to create the [[North German Confederation]] which excluded [[Austrian Empire|Austria]]. After the defeat of France in the [[Franco-Prussian War]], the German princes proclaimed the founding of the German Empire in 1871. Prussia was the dominant constituent state of the new empire; the King of Prussia ruled as its Kaiser, and Berlin became its capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://history.state.gov/countries/issues/german-unification|title=Issues Relevant to U.S. Foreign Diplomacy: Unification of German States|publisher=US Department of State Office of the Historian|accessdate=18 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001095812/https://history.state.gov/countries/issues/german-unification|archivedate=1 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="bismarck">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/bismarck_otto_von.shtml|title=Otto von Bismarck (1815–1898)|publisher=BBC|accessdate=18 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127025023/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/bismarck_otto_von.shtml|archivedate=27 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the {{lang|de|[[Gründerzeit]]}} period following the unification of Germany, Bismarck's foreign policy as [[chancellor of Germany]] secured Germany's position as a great nation by forging alliances and avoiding war.<ref name="bismarck" /> However, under [[Wilhelm II, German Emperor|Wilhelm II]], Germany took an [[New Imperialism|imperialistic]] course, leading to friction with neighbouring countries.<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=260734 |title=Kaiser Wilhelm II and German Politics|journal=Journal of Contemporary History|volume=25|year=1990|pages=289–316 |last1=Mommsen|first1=Wolfgang J.|issue=2/3|doi=10.1177/002200949002500207|s2cid=154177053 }}</ref> A [[Dual Alliance (1879)|dual alliance]] was created with the [[multinational state|multinational realm]] of [[Austria-Hungary]]; the [[Triple Alliance (1882)|Triple Alliance of 1882]] included Italy. Britain, France and Russia also concluded alliances to protect against Habsburg interference with Russian interests in the Balkans or German interference against France.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp= 135, 149}} At the [[Berlin Conference]] in 1884, Germany claimed several [[List of former German colonies|colonies]] including [[German East Africa]], [[German South West Africa]], [[Togoland]], and [[Kamerun]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=100 maps |publisher=Sterling Publishing |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-4027-2885-3 |editor-last=Black, John |page=202}}</ref> Later, Germany further expanded its colonial empire to include holdings in the Pacific and China.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/how-imperial-germany-lost-asia/|magazine=The Diplomat|title=How Imperial Germany Lost Asia|last=Farley|first=Robert|date=17 October 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319015901/https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/how-imperial-germany-lost-asia/|archivedate=19 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The colonial government in South West Africa (present-day [[Namibia]]), from 1904 to 1907, carried out the [[Herero and Namaqua genocide|annihilation of the local Herero and Namaqua peoples]] as punishment for an uprising;<ref>{{cite book|last1=Olusoga|first1= David |last2= Erichsen|first2= Casper |year=2010|title= The Kaiser's Holocaust: Germany's Forgotten Genocide and the Colonial Roots of Nazism|publisher= Faber and Faber|isbn=978-0-571-23141-6}}</ref><ref name="Bazyler">{{Cite book|title=Holocaust, Genocide, and the Law: A Quest for Justice in a Post-Holocaust World|author=Michael Bazyler|author-link=Michael Bazyler|date=2016|pages=169–70|publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref> this was the 20th century's first [[genocide]].<ref name="Bazyler" />

The [[Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria|assassination]] of [[Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria|Austria's crown prince]] on 28 June 1914 provided the pretext for Austria-Hungary to attack Serbia and trigger [[World War I]]. After four years of warfare, in which approximately two million German soldiers were killed,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/aged-107-last-german-world-war-i-veteran-believed-to-have-died-a-530319.html |title=Last German World War I veteran believed to have died |last=Crossland |first=David |date=22 January 2008 |work=Spiegel Online |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008172434/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/aged-107-last-german-world-war-i-veteran-believed-to-have-died-a-530319.html |archivedate=8 October 2012 }}</ref> a [[Armistice with Germany|general armistice]] ended the fighting. In the [[German Revolution of 1918–1919|German Revolution]] (November 1918), Emperor Wilhelm II and the ruling princes [[abdication|abdicated]] their positions, and Germany was declared a [[federal republic]]. Germany's new leadership signed the [[Treaty of Versailles]] in 1919, accepting defeat by the [[Allies of World War I|Allies]]. Germans perceived the treaty as humiliating, which was seen by historians as influential in the rise of [[Adolf Hitler]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Versailles: A Reassessment after 75 Years |last1=Boemeke |first1=Manfred F. |last2=Feldman |first2=Gerald D. |last3=Glaser |first3=Elisabeth |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-0-521-62132-8 |series=Publications of the German Historical Institute |pages=1–20, 203–220, 469–505 }}</ref> Germany lost around 13% of its European territory and ceded all of its colonial possessions in Africa and the Pacific.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/media_nm.php?MediaId=1620 |title=GERMAN TERRITORIAL LOSSES, TREATY OF VERSAILLES, 1919 |publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704070745/https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/media_nm.php?MediaId=1620 |archivedate=4 July 2016 |accessdate=11 June 2016}}</ref>

=== Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany ===

{{Main|Weimar Republic|Nazi Germany}}

On 11 August 1919, President [[Friedrich Ebert]] signed the democratic [[Weimar Constitution]].{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=156–160}} In the subsequent struggle for power, [[Bavarian Soviet Republic|communists seized power in Bavaria]], but conservative elements elsewhere attempted to overthrow the Republic in the {{Lang|deu|[[Kapp Putsch]]|italic=no}}. Street fighting in the major industrial centres, the [[occupation of the Ruhr]] by Belgian and French troops, and a period of [[Hyperinflation in the Weimar Republic|hyperinflation]] followed. A [[Dawes Plan|debt restructuring plan]] and the creation of a [[German Rentenmark|new currency]] in 1924 ushered in the [[Golden Twenties]], an era of artistic innovation and liberal cultural life.<ref>{{cite book|pages=56–70|chapter=1919–1922: Years of Crisis and Uncertainty|title=Weimar and the Rise of Hitler|publisher=Macmillan|last=Nicholls|first=AJ |year=2016|isbn=978-1-349-21337-5}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|jstor=3113137|title=The United States and the Reconstruction of Germany in the 1920s|first=Frank|last=Costigliola |journal=The Business History Review |volume=50 |number=4|year=1976|pages=477–502|doi=10.2307/3113137|s2cid=155602870 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|page=86|title=The Weimar Republic|last=Kolb|first=Eberhard|edition=2nd|publisher=Psychology Press |year=2005|isbn=978-0-415-34441-8|translator1=P. S. Falla |translator2=R. J. Park}}</ref>

[[File:Hitler portrait crop.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.75|[[Adolf Hitler]], dictator of Nazi Germany (1933–1945)]]

The worldwide [[Great Depression]] hit Germany in 1929. Chancellor [[Heinrich Brüning]]'s government pursued a [[Causes of the Great Depression#Leave-it-alone liquidationism (1929–1933)|policy of fiscal austerity]] and [[Weimar Republic#Brüning's policy of deflation (1930–1932)|deflation]] which caused unemployment of nearly 30% by 1932.<ref name="chronicle">{{Cite web|title=PROLOGUE: Roots of the Holocaust |website=The Holocaust Chronicle |url=http://www.holocaustchronicle.org/StaticPages/50.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101004701/http://www.holocaustchronicle.org/StaticPages/50.html |archivedate=1 January 2015 |accessdate=28 September 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Nazi Party]] led by [[Adolf Hitler]] became the largest party in the Reichstag after [[July 1932 German federal election|a special election in 1932]] and Hindenburg appointed Hitler as chancellor of Germany on 30 January 1933.{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=155–158, 172–177}} After the [[Reichstag fire]], a [[Reichstag Fire Decree|decree]] abrogated basic [[civil rights]] and the first [[Nazi concentration camps|Nazi concentration camp]] opened.<ref>{{cite book|first=Richard |last=Evans|title=The Coming of the Third Reich|publisher= Penguin|year= 2003|isbn=978-0-14-303469-8|page=344}}</ref><ref name="MNN">{{Cite journal |date=21 March 1933 |title=Ein Konzentrationslager für politische Gefangene in der Nähe von Dachau |url=http://www.holocaust-history.org/dachau-gas-chambers/photo.cgi?02 |journal=Münchner Neueste Nachrichten|language=German |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000510093525/http://www.holocaust-history.org/dachau-gas-chambers/photo.cgi?02 |archivedate=10 May 2000}}</ref> On 23 March 1933, the [[Enabling Act of 1933|Enabling Act]] gave Hitler unrestricted legislative power, overriding the constitution,<ref>{{cite web |first1=Marc |last1=von Lüpke-Schwarz |title=The law that 'enabled' Hitler's dictatorship |url=https://www.dw.com/en/the-law-that-enabled-hitlers-dictatorship/a-16689839 |date=23 March 2013 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427005942/https://www.dw.com/en/the-law-that-enabled-hitlers-dictatorship/a-16689839 |archivedate=27 April 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> and marked the beginning of Nazi Germany. His government established a centralised [[Totalitarianism|totalitarian state]], [[1933 German referendum|withdrew from the League of Nations]], and dramatically increased the country's [[German re-armament|rearmament]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/nazi/wirtschaft/index.html |title=Industrie und Wirtschaft |publisher=Deutsches Historisches Museum |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430190641/http://www.dhm.de/lemo/html/nazi/wirtschaft/index.html |archivedate=30 April 2011 |accessdate=25 March 2011}}</ref> A government-sponsored programme for economic renewal focused on public works, the most famous of which was the {{Lang|deu|[[Reichsautobahn|Autobahn]]}}.<ref>{{cite book|last=Evans|first= Richard |year=2005|title=The Third Reich in Power|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-14-303790-3|pages=[https://archive.org/details/thirdreichinpowe00evan/page/322 322]–326, 329 |url=https://archive.org/details/thirdreichinpowe00evan|url-access=registration}}</ref>

In 1935, the regime withdrew from the Treaty of Versailles and introduced the [[Nuremberg Laws]] which targeted [[Jews]] and other minorities.<ref>{{cite web|magazine=Prologue|last=Bradsher|first=Greg|year=2010 |title=The Nuremberg Laws |url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/winter/nuremberg.html |volume=42|accessdate=20 March 2020|url-status=live|archivedate=25 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425130322/https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2010/winter/nuremberg.html}}</ref> Germany also reacquired control of the [[Territory of the Saar Basin|Saarland]] in 1935,{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=188–189}} [[remilitarization of the Rhineland|remilitarised the Rhineland]] in 1936, [[Anschluss|annexed]] Austria in 1938, [[Sudetenland#Sudetenland as part of Nazi Germany|annexed]] the Sudetenland in 1938 with the [[Munich Agreement]], and in violation of the agreement [[German occupation of Czechoslovakia|occupied Czechoslovakia]] in March 1939.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/descent-into-war.htm |publisher=National Archives|title=Descent into War|accessdate=19 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320015948/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/cabinetpapers/themes/descent-into-war.htm|archivedate=20 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> {{lang|de|[[Kristallnacht]]}} (Night of Broken Glass) saw the burning of synagogues, the destruction of Jewish businesses, and mass arrests of Jewish people.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007697 |title=The "Night of Broken Glass" |publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075203/https://www.ushmm.org/outreach/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007697 |archivedate=11 February 2017 |accessdate=8 February 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Europe under Nazi domination.png|thumb|[[German-occupied Europe]] in 1942 during [[World War II]]; Germany (Reich) is shown in bold black.|upright=1.35]]

In August 1939, [[Government of Nazi Germany|Hitler's government]] negotiated the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]] that divided Eastern Europe into German and [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] spheres of influence.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact|title=German-Soviet Pact|publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|accessdate=19 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311115713/https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/german-soviet-pact|archivedate=11 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> On 1 September 1939, Germany [[invasion of Poland|invaded Poland]], beginning [[World War II]] in Europe;{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=190–195}} Britain and France declared war on Germany on 3 September.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hiden|first1=John|last2=Lane|first2= Thomas|year=200|title=The Baltic and the Outbreak of the Second World War|publisher=Cambridge University Press |url=https://archive.org/details/balticoutbreakse00hide |url-access=limited|isbn=978-0-521-53120-7 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/balticoutbreakse00hide/page/n156 143]–144}}</ref> In the spring of 1940, Germany [[Operation Weserübung|conquered Denmark and Norway]], [[German invasion of the Netherlands|the Netherlands]], [[German invasion of Belgium (1940)|Belgium]], [[German invasion of Luxembourg|Luxembourg]], and [[Battle of France|France]], forcing the French government to sign an [[armistice]]. The British repelled German air attacks in the [[Battle of Britain]] in the same year. In 1941, German troops [[Invasion of Yugoslavia|invaded Yugoslavia]], [[Battle of Greece|Greece]] and the [[Operation Barbarossa|Soviet Union]]. By 1942, Germany and its allies controlled most of [[German-occupied Europe|continental Europe]] and [[North Africa]], but following the Soviet victory at the [[Battle of Stalingrad]], the Allied [[North African Campaign|reconquest of North Africa]] and [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|invasion of Italy]] in 1943, German forces suffered repeated military defeats. In 1944, the Soviets [[Eastern Front (World War II)#Summer 1944|pushed into Eastern Europe]]; the Western allies [[Operation Overlord|landed in France]] and entered Germany despite a [[Battle of the Bulge|final German counteroffensive]]. Following [[Death of Adolf Hitler|Hitler's suicide]] during the [[Battle of Berlin]], [[German Instrument of Surrender|Germany signed the surrender document]] on 8 May 1945, ending World War II in Europe{{sfn|Fulbrook |1991|pp=190–195}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-key-dates|publisher=United States Holocaust Memorial Museum|title=World War II: Key Dates|accessdate=19 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311150818/https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/world-war-ii-key-dates|archivedate=11 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and Nazi Germany. Following the end of the war, surviving Nazi officials were tried for [[War crimes of the Wehrmacht|war crimes]] at the [[Nuremberg trials]].<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|first=Ian|last=Kershaw|title=Stalinism and Nazism: dictatorships in comparison|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1997|page=150|isbn=978-0-521-56521-9}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/nuremberg_article_01.shtml |title=Nuremberg: Nazis on Trial |last=Overy |first=Richard |date=17 February 2011 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316053707/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/nuremberg_article_01.shtml |archivedate=16 March 2011 }}</ref>

In what later became known as [[the Holocaust]], the German government persecuted minorities, including interning them in concentration and [[Extermination camp|death camps]] across Europe. In total [[Holocaust victims|17 million people were systematically murdered]], including 6&nbsp;million Jews, at least 130,000 [[Porajmos|Romani]], 275,000 [[Aktion T4|disabled people]], thousands of [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], thousands of [[Persecution of homosexuals in Nazi Germany|homosexuals]], and hundreds of thousands of [[Nacht und Nebel|political and religious opponents]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust |url=https://archive.org/details/columbiaguidetot00niew |url-access=registration |last1=Niewyk |first1=Donald L. |last2=Nicosia, Francis R. |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-231-11200-0 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/columbiaguidetot00niew/page/n466 45]–52}}</ref> [[Generalplan Ost|Nazi policies]] in German-occupied countries resulted in the deaths of an estimated 2.7&nbsp;million [[Polish people|Poles]],<ref>{{cite book |title= Polska 1939–1945: Straty osobowe i ofiary represji pod dwiema okupacjami |publisher=Institute of National Remembrance|page=9|year=2009}}</ref> 1.3&nbsp;million [[Ukrainians]], 1&nbsp;million [[Belarusians]] and 3.5&nbsp;million [[German mistreatment of Soviet prisoners of war|Soviet prisoners of war]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Maksudov|first=S|year=1994 |title=Soviet Deaths in the Great Patriotic War: A Note|journal=Europe-Asia Studies|volume=46|number=4 |pages=671–680 |doi=10.1080/09668139408412190|pmid=12288331}}</ref><ref name="books.google.com"/> German military [[German casualties in World War II|casualties]] have been estimated at 5.3&nbsp;million,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Deutsche militärische Verluste im Zweiten Weltkrieg |last=Overmans, Rüdiger |year=2000 |publisher=Oldenbourg |isbn=978-3-486-56531-7}}</ref> and around 900,000 German civilians died.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The End; Germany 1944–45 |last=Kershaw |first=Ian |publisher=Allen Lane |year=2011 |page=279}}</ref> Around [[Flight and expulsion of Germans (1944–1950)|12&nbsp;million ethnic Germans were expelled]] from across Eastern Europe, and Germany lost roughly [[Former eastern territories of Germany|one-quarter]] of its pre-war territory.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Demshuk|first=Andrew|year=2012|title=The Lost German East |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ySLyE6YJEn0C&pg=PA52 |isbn=978-1-107-02073-3|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201215323/https://books.google.com/books?id=ySLyE6YJEn0C&pg=PA52 |archivedate=1 December 2016|url-status=live|publisher=Cambridge University Press|page=52}}</ref>

=== East and West Germany ===
{{Main|History of Germany (1945–1990)|Allied Control Council|West Germany|East Germany}}
[[File:Map-Germany-1945.svg|thumb|1947 Germany with the [[Allied-occupied Germany|American, Soviet, British, and French occupation zones]] as well as [[Fourth French Republic|French]]-controlled [[Saar Protectorate|Saarland]]. [[Former eastern territories of Germany|Territories]] east of the [[Oder-Neisse line]] were transferred to [[Provisional Government of National Unity|Poland]] and the [[Soviet Union]] under the [[Potsdam Agreement|terms]] of the [[Potsdam Conference]].<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=40109536|title=Unfinished Business from Potsdam: Britain, West Germany, and the Oder-Neisse Line, 1945–1962|last=Hughes|first=R. Gerald|journal=The International History Review|volume=27|number= 2 |year= 2005|pages=259–294|doi=10.1080/07075332.2005.9641060|s2cid=162858499 }}</ref>]]

After [[Nazi Germany]] surrendered, the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] partitioned Berlin and Germany's remaining territory into four occupation zones. The western sectors, controlled by France, the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]], were merged on 23 May 1949 to form the [[West Germany|Federal Republic of Germany]] ({{lang-de|Bundesrepublik Deutschland}}); on 7 October 1949, the Soviet Zone became the [[East Germany|German Democratic Republic]] (GDR) ({{lang-de|Deutsche Demokratische Republik}}; DDR). They were informally known as West Germany and East Germany.<ref>{{cite journal|doi=10.1093/hwj/dbp009|year=2009|title=Trabant and Beetle: the Two Germanies, 1949–89|journal=History Workshop Journal|volume=68|pages=1–2}}</ref> East Germany selected [[East Berlin]] as its capital, while West Germany chose [[Bonn]] as a provisional capital, to emphasise its stance that the two-state solution was temporary.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Capital dilemma: Germany's search for a new architecture of democracy |last=Wise |first=Michael Z. |publisher=Princeton Architectural Press |year=1998 |isbn=978-1-56898-134-5 |page=[https://archive.org/details/capitaldilemmage0000wise/page/23 23] |url=https://archive.org/details/capitaldilemmage0000wise/page/23 }}</ref>

West Germany was established as a federal parliamentary republic with a "[[social market economy]]". Starting in 1948 West Germany became a major recipient of reconstruction aid under the American [[Marshall Plan]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Economic Growth in Europe Since 1945 |last=Carlin, Wendy |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-521-49964-4 |editor-last=Crafts, Nicholas |page=464 |chapter=West German growth and institutions (1945–90) |editor-last2=Toniolo, Gianni}}</ref> [[Konrad Adenauer]] was elected the first [[Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany|federal chancellor]] of Germany in 1949. The country enjoyed prolonged economic growth ({{lang|de|[[Wirtschaftswunder]]}}) beginning in the early 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bpb.de/izpb/10131/wirtschaft-in-beiden-deutschen-staaten-teil-1 |title=Deutschland in den 50er Jahren: Wirtschaft in beiden deutschen Staaten |first=Werner|last= Bührer |date=24 December 2002 |publisher=Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung |trans-title=Economy in both German states |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201210446/http://www.bpb.de/izpb/10131/wirtschaft-in-beiden-deutschen-staaten-teil-1 |archivedate=1 December 2017 |issue=256}}</ref> West Germany joined [[NATO]] in 1955 and was a founding member of the [[European Economic Community]].<ref>{{cite book|page=149|title=A History of Germany 1918–2014: The Divided Nation|publisher=Wiley|last=Fulbrook|first=Mary|year=2014|isbn=978-1-118-77613-1}}</ref>

East Germany was an [[Eastern Bloc]] state under political and military control by the [[Soviet Union]] via occupation forces and the [[Warsaw Pact]]. Although East Germany claimed to be a democracy, political power was exercised solely by leading members ({{lang|de|[[Politburo|Politbüro]]}}) of the communist-controlled [[Socialist Unity Party of Germany]], supported by the {{Lang|deu|[[Stasi]]|italic=no}}, an immense secret service.<ref>{{cite book|pages=22, 41|title=The Workers' and Peasants' State: Communism and Society in East Germany Under Ulbricht 1945–71|last1=Major|first1=Patrick|last2=Osmond|first2=Jonathan|publisher=Manchester University Press|year=2002|isbn=978-0-7190-6289-6}}</ref> While [[Communist propaganda|East German propaganda]] was based on the benefits of the GDR's social programmes and the alleged threat of a West German invasion, many of its citizens looked to the West for freedom and prosperity.<ref name="NYT_19890822">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/22/world/westward-tide-of-east-germans-is-a-popular-no-confidence-vote.html |title=Westward Tide of East Germans Is a Popular No-Confidence Vote |last=Protzman |first=Ferdinand |date=22 August 1989 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004232849/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/08/22/world/westward-tide-of-east-germans-is-a-popular-no-confidence-vote.html |archivedate=4 October 2012 }}</ref> The [[Berlin Wall]], built in 1961, prevented East German citizens from escaping to West Germany, becoming a symbol of the [[Cold War]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/places/berlin_wall |title=The Berlin Wall |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226011158/http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/places/berlin_wall |archivedate=26 February 2017 |accessdate=8 February 2017|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

Tensions between East and West Germany were reduced in the late 1960s by Chancellor [[Willy Brandt]]'s {{lang|de|[[Ostpolitik]]}}.<ref>{{cite book|pages=122–123|title=The European Defence Initiative: Europe's Bid for Equality|last=Williams|first=Geoffrey|publisher=Springer|year=1986|isbn=978-1-349-07825-7}}</ref> In 1989, Hungary decided to dismantle the [[Iron Curtain]] and [[Removal of Hungary's border fence with Austria|open its border with Austria]], causing the emigration of thousands of East Germans to West Germany via Hungary and Austria. This had devastating effects on the GDR, where regular [[Monday demonstrations in East Germany|mass demonstrations]] received increasing support. In an effort to help retain East Germany as a state, the East German authorities eased border restrictions, but this actually led to an acceleration of the {{lang|de|Wende}} reform process culminating in the ''[[Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany|Two Plus Four Treaty]]'' under which Germany regained full sovereignty. This permitted [[German reunification]] on 3 October 1990, with the accession of the [[New states of Germany|five re-established states]] of the former GDR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wendemuseum.org/sites/default/files/10-9-09Iconoclash%20updated%20brochure_small.pdf|publisher=Wende Museum|title=Iconoclash! Political Imagery from the Berlin Wall to German Unification|last=Deshmukh|first=Marion|accessdate=20 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152657/https://www.wendemuseum.org/sites/default/files/10-9-09Iconoclash%20updated%20brochure_small.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The fall of the Wall in 1989 became a symbol of the [[Fall of Communism]], the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union]], German reunification and {{lang|de|[[Die Wende]]}}.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/views/y/1999/11/burns.wall.nov8 |title=What the Berlin Wall still stands for |date=8 November 1999 |work=CNN Interactive |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206104205/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/views/y/1999/11/burns.wall.nov8/ |archivedate=6 February 2008}}</ref>

=== Reunified Germany and the European Union ===

{{Main|German reunification|History of Germany since 1990}}

[[File:Thefalloftheberlinwall1989.JPG|thumb|left|The [[Berlin Wall]] during [[Fall of the Berlin Wall|its fall]] in 1989, with the [[Brandenburg Gate]] in the background]]

United Germany was considered the enlarged continuation of West Germany so it retained its memberships in international organisations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/einigvtr/art_11.html |title=Vertrag zwischen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik über die Herstellung der Einheit Deutschlands (Einigungsvertrag) Art 11 Verträge der Bundesrepublik Deutschland |publisher=Bundesministerium für Justiz und Verbraucherschutz |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225035417/http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/einigvtr/art_11.html |archivedate=25 February 2015 |accessdate=15 May 2015}}</ref> Based on the [[Berlin/Bonn Act]] (1994), Berlin again became the capital of Germany, while Bonn obtained the unique status of a {{lang|de|Bundesstadt}} (federal city) retaining some federal ministries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/berlin_bonng/gesamt.pdf |title=Gesetz zur Umsetzung des Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages vom 20. Juni 1991 zur Vollendung der Einheit Deutschlands |date=26 April 1994 |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz |language=German |trans-title=Law on the Implementation of the Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages vom 20. Juni 1991 zur Vollendung der Einheit Deutschlands |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714155722/https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/berlin_bonng/gesamt.pdf |archivedate=14 July 2016 }}</ref> The relocation of the government was completed in 1999, and modernisation of the East German economy was scheduled to last until 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.focus.de/panorama/boulevard/brennpunkt-hauptstadt-umzug_aid_175751.html |title=Brennpunkt: Hauptstadt-Umzug |date=12 April 1999 |work=Focus |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430043907/http://www.focus.de/panorama/boulevard/brennpunkt-hauptstadt-umzug_aid_175751.html |archivedate=30 April 2011 |language=German}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/world/europe/19germany.html |title=In East Germany, a Decline as Stark as a Wall |last=Kulish |first=Nicholas |date=19 June 2009 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403073216/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/19/world/europe/19germany.html |archivedate=3 April 2011}}</ref>

Since reunification, Germany has taken a more active role in the [[European Union]], signing the [[Maastricht Treaty]] in 1992 and the [[Lisbon Treaty]] in 2007,<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=20787989|title=Germany's EU Policy: The Domestic Discourse|last=Lemke|first=Christiane|journal=German Studies Review|volume=33|number= 3 |year= 2010|pages= 503–516}}</ref> and co-founding the [[Eurozone]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/09/world/europe/eurozone-fast-facts/index.html|publisher=CNN|title=Eurozone Fast Facts|date=21 January 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321015105/https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/09/world/europe/eurozone-fast-facts/index.html|archivedate=21 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Germany sent a peacekeeping force to secure stability in the [[1999 NATO bombing in Yugoslavia|Balkans]] and sent [[Bundeswehr|German troops]] to [[Afghanistan]] as part of a NATO effort to provide [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|security in that country]] after the ousting of the [[Taliban]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/world/europe/31iht-germany.3343963.html |title=Germany is planning a Bosnia withdrawal |last=Dempsey |first=Judy |date=31 October 2006 |work=International Herald Tribune |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111000841/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/31/world/europe/31iht-germany.3343963.html |archivedate=11 November 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-extend-afghanistan-military-mission/a-47501552|website=DW|title=Germany to extend Afghanistan military mission|accessdate=20 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200304064259/https://www.dw.com/en/germany-to-extend-afghanistan-military-mission/a-47501552|archivedate=4 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the [[2005 German federal election|2005 elections]], [[Angela Merkel]] became the first female chancellor. In 2009 the German government approved a €50&nbsp;billion stimulus plan.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20090106-germany-agrees-new-50-billion-euro-stimulus-plan |title=Germany agrees on 50-billion-euro stimulus plan |date=6 January 2009 |work=France 24 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513022443/http://www.france24.com/en/20090106-germany-agrees-new-50-billion-euro-stimulus-plan |archivedate=13 May 2011}}</ref> Among the major German political projects of the early 21st century are the advancement of [[European integration]], the [[Energy transition in Germany|energy transition]] ({{lang|de|Energiewende}}) for a [[sustainable energy]] supply, the [[Debt brake (Germany)|debt brake]] for balanced budgets, measures to increase the [[Ageing of Europe#Germany|fertility rate]] ([[Natalistic politics|pronatalism]]), and high-tech strategies for the transition of the German economy, summarised as [[Industry 4.0]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merkel-regierungserklaerung110.html |title=Government declaration by Angela Merkel |date=29 January 2014 |publisher=ARD Tagesschau |language=German |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101010608/http://www.tagesschau.de/inland/merkel-regierungserklaerung110.html |archivedate=1 January 2015}}</ref> During the [[2015 European migrant crisis]], the country took in over a million refugees and migrants.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34131911 |title=Migrant crisis: Migration to Europe explained in seven charts |date=28 January 2016 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131030536/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34131911 |archivedate=31 January 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

== Geography ==

{{Main|Geography of Germany}}

[[File:Deutschland topo.jpg|thumb|upright|Physical map of Germany]]

Germany is the [[List of European countries by area|seventh-largest country]] in Europe;<ref name="CIA">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany/ |title=Germany |website=World Factbook |publisher=CIA |accessdate=29 March 2020 |archivedate=9 January 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109075739/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany |url-status=live }}</ref> bordering [[Denmark]] to the north, [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]] to the east, [[Austria]] to the southeast, and [[Switzerland]] to the south-southwest. [[France]], [[Luxembourg]] and [[Belgium]] are situated to the west, with the [[Netherlands]] to the northwest. Germany is also bordered by the North Sea and, at the north-northeast, by the Baltic Sea. German territory covers {{convert|357022|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, consisting of {{convert|348672|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|8350|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of water.

Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Alps (highest point: the [[Zugspitze]] at {{convert|2963|m|ft|0|disp=or}}) in the south to the shores of the North Sea ({{lang|de|Nordsee}}) in the northwest and the [[Baltic Sea]] ({{lang|de|Ostsee}}) in the northeast. The forested uplands of central Germany and the lowlands of northern Germany (lowest point: in the municipality [[Neuendorf-Sachsenbande]], [[Wilstermarsch]] at {{convert|3.54|m|ft|1|disp=or}} below sea level<ref>{{cite journal|title=17: Gebiet und geografische Angaben|journal=Statistische Jahrbuch Schleswig-Holstein 2019/2020|page=307|publisher=Statistisches Amt für Hamburg und Schleswig-Holstein|location=Hamburg|date=2020|language=de|url=https://www.statistik-nord.de/fileadmin/Dokumente/Jahrb%C3%BCcher/Schleswig-Holstein/JB19SH_17_fertig.pdf|issn=0487-6423|accessdate=8 September 2020|archivedate=28 October 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028083227/https://www.statistik-nord.de/fileadmin/Dokumente/Jahrb%C3%BCcher/Schleswig-Holstein/JB19SH_17_fertig.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>) are traversed by such major rivers as the Rhine, [[Danube]] and Elbe. Significant natural resources include iron ore, coal, [[potash]], timber, [[lignite]], [[uranium]], copper, natural gas, salt, and nickel.<ref name="CIA" />

=== Climate ===
Most of Germany has a [[temperate]] climate, ranging from [[Oceanic climate|oceanic]] in the north and west to [[Continental climate|continental]] in the east and southeast. Winters range from the cold in the Southern Alps to cool and are generally overcast with limited precipitation, while summers can vary from hot and dry to cool and rainy. The northern regions have prevailing westerly winds that bring in moist air from the North Sea, moderating the temperature and increasing precipitation. Conversely, the southeast regions have more extreme temperatures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Climate|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|title=Germany: Climate|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124307/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany/Climate|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

From February 2019–2020, average monthly temperatures in Germany ranged from a low of {{convert|3.3|C}} in January 2020 to a high of {{convert|19.8|C}} in June 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/982472/average-monthly-temperature-germany/|website=Statista|title=Average monthly temperature in Germany from February 2019 to February 2020|date=February 2020|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124304/https://www.statista.com/statistics/982472/average-monthly-temperature-germany/|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Average monthly precipitation ranged from 30 litres per square metre in February and April 2019 to 125 litres per square metre in February 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/982744/average-monthly-precipitation-germany/|website=Statista|title=Average monthly precipitation in Germany from February 2019 to February 2020|date=February 2020|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124319/https://www.statista.com/statistics/982744/average-monthly-precipitation-germany/|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Average monthly hours of sunshine ranged from 45 in November 2019 to 300 in June 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/982758/average-sunshine-hours-germany/|title=Average monthly sunshine hours in Germany from February 2019 to February 2020|website=Statista|date=February 2020|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323124317/https://www.statista.com/statistics/982758/average-sunshine-hours-germany/|archivedate=23 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Biodiversity ===

[[File:Herbst am Watzmann.jpg|thumb|right|[[Berchtesgaden National Park]]]]

The territory of Germany can be divided into five terrestrial [[ecoregion]]s: [[Atlantic mixed forests]], [[Baltic mixed forests]], [[Central European mixed forests]], [[Western European broadleaf forests]], and [[Alps conifer and mixed forests]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}</ref> {{As of|2016}} 51% of Germany's land area is devoted to agriculture, while 30% is forested and 14% is covered by settlements or infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/climate-impact-farming-land-use-change-and-forestry-germany|title=Climate impact of farming, land use (change) and forestry in Germany|last=Appunn|first=Kerstine|website=Clean Energy Wire|date=30 October 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513071605/https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/climate-impact-farming-land-use-change-and-forestry-germany|archivedate=13 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Plants and animals include those generally common to Central Europe. According to the National Forest Inventory, [[beeches]], [[oak]]s, and other [[deciduous]] trees constitute just over 40% of the forests; roughly 60% are [[conifers]], particularly [[spruce]] and [[pine]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundeswaldinventur.de/en/third-national-forest-inventory/the-forest-habitat-more-biological-diversity-in-the-forests/spruce-pine-beech-oak-the-most-common-tree-species/|accessdate=23 March 2020|title=Spruce, pine, beech, oak – the most common tree species|website=Third National Forest Inventory|publisher=Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324013625/https://www.bundeswaldinventur.de/en/third-national-forest-inventory/the-forest-habitat-more-biological-diversity-in-the-forests/spruce-pine-beech-oak-the-most-common-tree-species/|archivedate=24 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> There are many species of [[fern]]s, [[flowers]], [[fungi]], and [[mosses]]. Wild animals include [[Central European red deer|roe deer]], [[Central European boar|wild boar]], [[mouflon]] (a subspecies of wild sheep), [[Red fox|fox]], [[European badger|badger]], [[European hare|hare]], and small numbers of the [[Eurasian beaver]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Adventure Guide Germany |last=Bekker |first=Henk |publisher=Hunter |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-58843-503-3 |page=14}}</ref> The blue [[cornflower]] was once a German [[floral emblem|national symbol]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g5GBAAAAMAAJ |title=Compendium of Symbolic and Ritual Plants in Europe: Herbs |last1=Marcel Cleene |last2=Marie Claire Lejeune |publisher=Man & Culture |year=2002 |pages=194–196 |isbn=978-90-77135-04-4 |accessdate=3 June 2020 |archivedate=6 June 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606042551/https://books.google.com/books?id=g5GBAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 16 [[List of national parks of Germany|national parks in Germany]] include the [[Jasmund National Park]], the [[Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park]], the [[Müritz National Park]], the [[Wadden Sea National Parks]], the [[Harz National Park]], the [[Hainich National Park]], the [[Black Forest National Park]], the [[Saxon Switzerland National Park]], the [[Bavarian Forest National Park]] and the [[Berchtesgaden National Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/national-parks.html|title=National Parks|publisher=Federal Agency for Nature Conservation|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324013623/https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/national-parks.html|archivedate=24 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, there are 17 [[Biosphere Reserves in Germany|Biosphere Reserves]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/biosphere-reserves.html|title=Biosphere reserves|publisher=Federal Agency for Nature Conservation|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324013622/https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/biosphere-reserves.html|archivedate=24 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and 105 [[Nature parks (Germany)|nature parks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/nature-parks.html|title=Nature parks|publisher=Federal Agency for Nature Conservation|accessdate=23 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419120316/https://www.bfn.de/en/activities/protected-areas/nature-parks.html|archivedate=19 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> More than [[List of zoos in Germany|400 zoos and animal parks]] operate in Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.americanzoos.info/Zoofacts.html |title=Zoo Facts |publisher=Zoos and Aquariums of America |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031007010357/http://www.americanzoos.info/Zoofacts.html |archivedate=7 October 2003 |accessdate=16 April 2011}}</ref> The [[Berlin Zoological Garden|Berlin Zoo]], which opened in 1844, is the oldest in Germany, and claims the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.zoo-berlin.de/zoo/unternehmen/historie.html |title=Der Zoologische Garten Berlin |publisher=Zoo Berlin |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430015152/http://www.zoo-berlin.de/zoo/unternehmen/historie.html |archivedate=30 April 2011 |accessdate=19 March 2011}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

== Politics ==

{{Main|Politics of Germany|Taxation in Germany|Federal budget of Germany}}

{| class="wikitable floatright"
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| [[File:German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Helsinki 8.4.2022 (51990863165).jpg|155px]] || style="text-align:left;" | [[File:Olaf Scholz 3.5.2022 (3).jpg|168px]]
|-
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]]<br /><small>[[President of Germany|President]]<br />(representative head of state)</small>
| style="text-align:center;"|[[Olaf Scholz]]<br /><small>[[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor]]<br />(head of government)</small>
|}

Germany is a [[federal republic|federal]], [[parliamentary democratic|parliamentary]], [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] republic. Federal [[legislative power]] is vested in the parliament consisting of the {{lang|de|[[Bundestag]]}} (Federal Diet) and {{lang|de|[[Bundesrat of Germany|Bundesrat]]}} (Federal Council), which together form the legislative body. The {{lang|de|Bundestag}} is elected through [[direct election]]s using the [[mixed-member proportional representation]] system. The members of the {{lang|de|Bundesrat}} represent and are appointed by the governments of the sixteen federated states.<ref name="CIA" /> The German political system operates under a framework laid out in the 1949 constitution known as the {{lang|de|[[Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany|Grundgesetz]]}} (Basic Law). Amendments generally require a two-thirds majority of both the {{lang|de|Bundestag}} and the {{lang|de|Bundesrat}}; the fundamental principles of the constitution, as expressed in the articles guaranteeing human dignity, the separation of powers, the federal structure, and the [[rule of law]], are valid in perpetuity.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/pdf/80201000.pdf |title=Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany |date=October 2010 |website=Deutscher Bundestag |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619180331/https://www.btg-bestellservice.de/pdf/80201000.pdf |archivedate=19 June 2017 |accessdate=14 April 2011}}</ref>

The [[President of Germany|president]], currently [[Frank-Walter Steinmeier]], is the [[head of state]] and invested primarily with representative responsibilities and powers. He is elected by the {{lang|de|[[Bundesversammlung (Germany)|Bundesversammlung]]}} (federal convention), an institution consisting of the members of the {{lang|de|Bundestag}} and an equal number of state delegates.<ref name="CIA" /> The second-highest official in the [[German order of precedence]] is the {{lang|de|Bundestagspräsident}} ([[President of the Bundestag]]), who is elected by the {{lang|de|Bundestag}} and responsible for overseeing the daily sessions of the body.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/election-2013-the-german-parliament/a-17100952|website=DW|title=Election 2013: The German parliament|date=19 September 2013|last=Seiffert|first=Jeanette|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328230357/https://www.dw.com/en/election-2013-the-german-parliament/a-17100952|archivedate=28 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The third-highest official and the [[head of government]] is the chancellor, who is appointed by the {{lang|de|Bundespräsident}} after being elected by the party or coalition with the most seats in the {{lang|de|Bundestag}}.<ref name="CIA" /> The chancellor, currently [[Olaf Scholz]], is the head of government and exercises [[executive (government)|executive power]] through his [[Cabinet of Germany|Cabinet]].<ref name="CIA" />

Since 1949, the party system has been dominated by the [[Christian Democratic Union (Germany)|Christian Democratic Union]] and the [[Social Democratic Party of Germany]]. So far every chancellor has been a member of one of these parties. However, the smaller liberal [[Free Democratic Party (Germany)|Free Democratic Party]] and the [[Alliance 90/The Greens]] have also been junior partners in [[coalition government]]s. Since 2007, the democratic socialist party [[The Left (Germany)|The Left]] has been a staple in the German {{lang|de|Bundestag}}, though they have never been part of the federal government. In the [[2017 German federal election]], the right-wing populist [[Alternative for Germany]] gained enough votes to attain representation in the parliament for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-political-parties-cdu-csu-spd-afd-fdp-left-party-greens-what-you-need-to-know/a-38085900|website=DW|date=7 June 2019|title=Germany's political parties CDU, CSU, SPD, AfD, FDP, Left party, Greens – what you need to know|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214204745/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-political-parties-cdu-csu-spd-afd-fdp-left-party-greens-what-you-need-to-know/a-38085900|archivedate=14 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/german-election-results-exit-poll-2017-live-latest-afd-mps-merkel-alternative-a7964796.html|website=The Independent|title=German elections: Far-right wins MPs for first time in half a century|last=Stone|first=Jon|date=24 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227224650/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/german-election-results-exit-poll-2017-live-latest-afd-mps-merkel-alternative-a7964796.html|archivedate=27 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Constituent states ===
{{Main|States of Germany|Federalism in Germany|List of current Minister-presidents of the German federal states}}
Germany is a [[federation]] and comprises [[States of Germany|sixteen constituent states]] which are collectively referred to as {{lang|de|Länder}}.<ref name="Britannica">{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany |title=Germany |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |url-status=live |accessdate=18 March 2021 |archivedate=13 June 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613043752/https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany }}</ref> Each state ({{Lang|de|Land}}) has its own constitution,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.landtag.nrw.de/portal/WWW/GB_I/I.7/Europa/Wissenswertes/English_information/North_Rhine_Westphalia_Constitution_revised.jsp |title=Example for state constitution: "Constitution of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia" |publisher=[[Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia|Landtag (state assembly) of North Rhine-Westphalia]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117011619/http://www.landtag.nrw.de/portal/WWW/GB_I/I.7/Europa/Wissenswertes/English_information/North_Rhine_Westphalia_Constitution_revised.jsp |archivedate=17 January 2013 |accessdate=17 July 2011}}</ref> and is largely autonomous in regard to its internal organisation.<ref name="Britannica"/> {{As of|2017}} Germany is divided into 401 [[Districts of Germany|districts]] ({{lang|de|Kreise}}) at a municipal level; these consist of 294 [[List of rural districts of Germany|rural districts]] and 107 [[Urban districts of Germany|urban districts]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/Verwaltungsgliederung/Verwalt2QAktuell.xlsx?__blob=publicationFile |title=Verwaltungsgliederung in Deutschland am 30 June 2017 – Gebietsstand: 30 June 2017 (2. Quartal) |date=July 2017 |publisher=[[Statistisches Bundesamt]] Deutschland |language=German |format=XLS |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010084800/https://www.destatis.de/DE/ZahlenFakten/LaenderRegionen/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Archiv/Verwaltungsgliederung/Verwalt2QAktuell.xlsx?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=10 October 2017 |accessdate=9 August 2017}}</ref><!--"Kreis", "Landkreis" and 3 special regional districts count as rural districts; "Stadtkreis" and "kreisfreie Stadt" are urban districts.-->

<div style="float: left;margin:0 2em 0 0;">{{German Federal States}}</div>

{| style="background:none;" cellspacing="2px"
|
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:85%;"
|- style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;"
! style="width:160px;"| [[States of Germany|State]] !! style="width:85px;"| Capital !! style="width:75px;"| Area (km<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="Fläche">{{Cite web |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |title=Fläche und Bevölkerung |website=Statistikportal.de |language=de |accessdate=15 July 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143938/https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |archivedate=12 June 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>!! style="width:70px;" | Population (2018)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |title=Fläche und Bevölkerung nach Ländern |date=December 2019 |publisher=[[Statistisches Bundesamt]] und statistische Landesämter |language=German |accessdate=3 April 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707195926/https://www.statistikportal.de/de/bevoelkerung/flaeche-und-bevoelkerung |archivedate=7 July 2019 }}</ref>!! style="width:100px;"| [[List of German states by GRP|Nominal GDP]] billions EUR (2015)<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=http://www.vgrdl.de/VGRdL/tbls/tab.jsp?lang=en-GB&rev=RV2014&tbl=tab01 |title=Gross domestic product – at current prices – 1991 to 2015 |date=5 November 2016 |publisher=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105232319/http://www.vgrdl.de/VGRdL/tbls/tab.jsp?lang=en-GB&rev=RV2014&tbl=tab01 |archivedate=5 November 2016 }}</ref>!! style="width:100px;" | [[List of German states by GRP per capita|Nominal GDP per capita]] EUR (2015)<ref name="auto" />
|-
| [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Stuttgart]] || style="text-align:right"|35,751|| style="text-align:right"|11,069,533 || style="text-align:right"|461 || style="text-align:right"|42,800
|-
| [[Bavaria]] || [[Munich]] || style="text-align:right"|70,550|| style="text-align:right"|13,076,721 || style="text-align:right"|550 || style="text-align:right"|43,100
|-
| [[Berlin]] || [[Berlin]] ||style="text-align:right"|892|| style="text-align:right"|3,644,826 || style="text-align:right"|125 || style="text-align:right"|35,700
|-
| [[Brandenburg]] || [[Potsdam]] || style="text-align:right"|29,654|| style="text-align:right"|2,511,917 || style="text-align:right"|66 || style="text-align:right"|26,500
|-
| [[Bremen (state)|Bremen]] || [[Bremen]] || style="text-align:right"|420|| style="text-align:right"|682,986 || style="text-align:right"|32 || style="text-align:right"|47,600
|-
| [[Hamburg]] || [[Hamburg]] ||style="text-align:right"|755|| style="text-align:right"|1,841,179 || style="text-align:right"|110 || style="text-align:right"|61,800
|-
| [[Hesse]] || [[Wiesbaden]] || style="text-align:right"|21,115|| style="text-align:right"|6,265,809 || style="text-align:right"|264 || style="text-align:right"|43,100
|-
| [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Schwerin]] || style="text-align:right"|23,214|| style="text-align:right"|1,609,675 || style="text-align:right"|40 || style="text-align:right"|25,000
|-
| [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Hanover]] || style="text-align:right"|47,593|| style="text-align:right"|7,982,448 || style="text-align:right"|259 || style="text-align:right"|32,900
|-
| [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Düsseldorf]] || style="text-align:right"|34,113|| style="text-align:right"|17,932,651 || style="text-align:right"|646 || style="text-align:right"|36,500
|-
| [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Mainz]] || style="text-align:right"|19,854|| style="text-align:right"|4,084,844 || style="text-align:right"|132|| style="text-align:right"|32,800
|-
| [[Saarland]] || [[Saarbrücken]] || style="text-align:right"|2,569|| style="text-align:right"|990,509 || style="text-align:right"|35 || style="text-align:right"|35,400
|-
| [[Saxony]] || [[Dresden]] || style="text-align:right"|18,416|| style="text-align:right"|4,077,937 || style="text-align:right"|113 || style="text-align:right"|27,800
|-
| [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Magdeburg]] || style="text-align:right"|20,452|| style="text-align:right"|2,208,321 || style="text-align:right"|57 || style="text-align:right"|25,200
|-
| [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Kiel]] || style="text-align:right"|15,802|| style="text-align:right"|2,896,712 || style="text-align:right"|86 || style="text-align:right"|31,200
|-
| [[Thuringia]] || [[Erfurt]] || style="text-align:right"|16,202|| style="text-align:right"|2,143,145 || style="text-align:right"|57 || style="text-align:right"|26,400
|-
| Germany || [[Berlin]] || style="text-align:right"|357,386|| style="text-align:right"|83,019,213 || style="text-align:right"|3025 || style="text-align:right"|37,100
|}
|}

{{clear}}

=== Law ===

{{Main|Law of Germany|Judiciary of Germany|Law enforcement in Germany}}

Germany has a [[civil law (legal system)|civil law system]] based on [[Roman law]] with some references to [[Germanic law]].<ref>{{cite book|pages=31–32, 62|isbn=978-0-8047-5569-6|year=2007|publisher=Stanford University Press|title=The Civil Law Tradition: An Introduction to the Legal Systems of Europe and Latin America|last1=Merryman|first1=John|last2=Pérez-Perdomo|first2=Rogelio}}</ref> The {{lang|de|[[Federal Constitutional Court of Germany|Bundesverfassungsgericht]]}} (Federal Constitutional Court) is the German Supreme Court responsible for constitutional matters, with power of [[judicial review]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/EN/Homepage/home_node.html |title=Federal Constitutional Court |publisher=Bundesverfassungsgericht |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213204356/http://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/EN/Homepage/home_node.html |archivedate=13 December 2014 |accessdate=25 March 2015}}</ref> Germany's supreme court system is specialised: for civil and criminal cases, the highest court of appeal is the [[inquisitorial system|inquisitorial]] [[Federal Court of Justice]], and for other affairs the courts are the [[Federal Labour Court]], the [[Federal Social Court]], the [[Federal Fiscal Court]] and the [[Federal Administrative Court (Germany)|Federal Administrative Court]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://germanlawarchive.iuscomp.org/?p=363|website=German Law Archive|title=The Federal Constitutional Court: an Introduction|last=Wöhrmann|first=Gotthard|accessdate=29 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152752/https://germanlawarchive.iuscomp.org/?p=363|url-status=live}}</ref>

Criminal and private laws are codified on the national level in the {{lang|de|[[Strafgesetzbuch]]}} and the {{lang|de|[[Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch]]}} respectively. The German penal system seeks the rehabilitation of the criminal and the protection of the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=§&nbsp;2 Strafvollzugsgesetz |language=de |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvollzg/__2.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501122109/http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/stvollzg/__2.html |archivedate=1 May 2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Except for petty crimes, which are tried before a single professional judge, and serious [[political crime]]s, all charges are tried before mixed tribunals on which [[lay judge]]s ({{lang|de|[[Schöffe]]n}}) sit side by side with professional judges.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-V-ng-8jOoQC&pg=PA23 |title=Criminal Justice in Germany |last1=Jehle |first1=Jörg-Martin |last2=German Federal Ministry of Justice |author2-link=Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany) |publisher=Forum-Verlag |year=2009 |isbn=978-3-936999-51-8 |page=23 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922094303/https://books.google.com/books?id=-V-ng-8jOoQC&pg=PA23 |archivedate=22 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Casper |first1=Gerhard |last2=Zeisel |first2=Hans |author-link2=:de:Hans Zeisel |date=January 1972 |title=Lay Judges in the German Criminal Courts |journal=[[Journal of Legal Studies]] |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=135–191 |doi=10.1086/467481 |jstor=724014 |s2cid=144941508 |author1-link=Gerhard Casper}}</ref>

Germany has a low murder rate with 1.18 murders per 100,000 {{as of|2016|lc=y}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://dataunodc.un.org/crime/intentional-homicide-victims|publisher=United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime|title=Intentional Homicide Victims|accessdate=30 March 2020|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190726024322/https://dataunodc.un.org/crime/intentional-homicide-victims|archivedate=26 July 2019}}</ref> In 2018, the overall crime rate fell to its lowest since 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-crime-rate-fell-to-lowest-level-in-decades-in-2018/a-48162310 |title=Germany's crime rate fell to lowest level in decades in 2018 |date=2 April 2019 |website=DW |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517192912/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-crime-rate-fell-to-lowest-level-in-decades-in-2018/a-48162310 |archivedate=17 May 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Foreign relations ===

{{Main|Foreign relations of Germany}}
[[File:Group photo of the G7 members at the Scholss Elmau summit (2).jpg|thumb|Germany hosted the [[2022 G7 summit]] at [[Schloss Elmau]], [[Bavaria]].]]

Germany has a network of 227 diplomatic missions abroad<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/auslandsvertretungen |title=The German Missions Abroad |publisher=German Federal Foreign Office |accessdate=29 March 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327191034/https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/auslandsvertretungen |archivedate=27 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> and maintains relations with more than 190 countries.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/auslandsvertretungen/botschaften-node |title=The Embassies |publisher=German Federal Foreign Office |accessdate=29 March 2020 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327191019/https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/aamt/auslandsvertretungen/botschaften-node |archivedate=27 March 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Germany is a member of [[NATO]], the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]], the [[G7]], the [[G20]], the [[World Bank]] and the [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]]. It has played an influential role in the European Union since its inception and has maintained a [[Franco-German cooperation|strong alliance with France]] and all neighbouring countries since 1990. Germany promotes the creation of a more unified European political, economic and security apparatus.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Declaration-by-the-Franco-German,4519.html |title=Declaration by the Franco-German Defence and Security Council |date=13 May 2004 |publisher=French Embassy UK |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327015942/http://www.ambafrance-uk.org/Declaration-by-the-Franco-German%2C4519.html |archivedate=27 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/world/europe/04iht-poll.4.11666423.html |title=The leader of Europe? Answers an ocean apart |last=Freed|first=John |date=4 April 2008 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501031326/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/04/world/europe/04iht-poll.4.11666423.html |archivedate=1 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/blob/610644/49a58b5ecfd5a78862b051d94465afb6/gestaltungsmaechtekonzept-engl-data.pdf|title=Shaping Globalization – Expanding Partner-ships – Sharing Responsibility: A strategy paper by the German Government|publisher=Die Bundesregierung|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329142145/https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/blob/610644/49a58b5ecfd5a78862b051d94465afb6/gestaltungsmaechtekonzept-engl-data.pdf|archivedate=29 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The governments of Germany and the United States [[Germany–United States relations|are close political allies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-germany/|title=U.S. Relations With Germany|date=4 November 2019|publisher=US Department of State|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200331094945/https://www.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-germany/|archivedate=31 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Cultural ties and economic interests have crafted a bond between the two countries resulting in [[Atlanticism]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://germany.usembassy.gov/germany/img/assets/9336/econ_factsheet_may2006.pdf |title=U.S.-German Economic Relations Factsheet |date=May 2006 |publisher=U.S. Embassy in Berlin |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511123309/http://germany.usembassy.gov/germany/img/assets/9336/econ_factsheet_may2006.pdf |archivedate=11 May 2011 |accessdate=26 March 2011}}</ref> After 1990, [[Germany–Russia relations|Germany and Russia]] worked together to establish a "strategic partnership" in which [[energy development]] became one of the most important factors. As a result of the cooperation, Germany imported most of its natural gas and crude oil from Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/Ch8Doc13English.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814094438/http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/pdf/eng/Ch8Doc13English.pdf |archivedate=14 August 2017 |title=Volume 10. One Germany in Europe, 1989–2009 Germany and Russia |date=13 March 2006 |publisher=German Institute for International and Security Affairs |accessdate=3 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal| url= http://www.eprg.group.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/binder13.pdf |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122110120/http://www.eprg.group.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/binder13.pdf |archivedate=22 November 2009| title= A Market Between Us: Reducing the Political Cost of Europe's Dependence on Russian Gas| publisher=[[University of Cambridge|University of Cambridge Electricity Policy Research Group]]| last = Noël | first = Pierre| page = 2; 38| journal = EPRG Working Paper |date=May 2009| accessdate=30 January 2010| id = EPRG0916}}</ref>

The development policy of Germany is an independent area of foreign policy. It is formulated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and carried out by the implementing organisations. The German government sees development policy as a joint responsibility of the international community.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bmz.de/en/index.html |title=Aims of German development policy |date=10 April 2008 |publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310120541/http://www.bmz.de/en/index.html |archivedate=10 March 2011 }}</ref> It was the world's [[List of development aid sovereign state donors|second-biggest aid donor]] in 2019 after the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.devex.com/news/germany-foreign-aid-and-the-elusive-0-7-95389|website=Devex|title=Germany, foreign aid, and the elusive 0.7%|last=Green|first=Andrew|date=8 August 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808125018/https://www.devex.com/news/germany-foreign-aid-and-the-elusive-0-7-95389|archivedate=8 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{Main|Bundeswehr}}
[[File:Spürpanzer Fuchs.jpg|thumb|German [[TPz Fuchs]] armoured personnel carrier]]
Germany's military, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} (Federal Defence), is organised into the {{lang|de|[[German Army|Heer]]}} (Army and special forces [[Kommando Spezialkräfte|{{abbr|KSK|Kommando Spezialkräfte}}]]), {{lang|de|[[German Navy|Marine]]}} (Navy), {{lang|de|[[German Air Force|Luftwaffe]]}} (Air Force), {{lang|de|[[Joint Medical Service (Germany)|Zentraler Sanitätsdienst der Bundeswehr]]}} (Joint Medical Service), {{lang|de|[[Streitkräftebasis]]}} (Joint Support Service) and {{lang|de|[[Cyber and Information Domain Service|Cyber- und Informationsraum]]}} (Cyber and Information Domain Service) branches. In absolute terms, German military expenditure is the [[List of countries by military expenditures|eighth-highest in the world]].<ref>{{cite document |url=https://www.sipri.org/publications/2019/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2018|title=Trends in World Military Expenditure |date=April 2019|work=SIPRI Fact Sheet|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|accessdate=9 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308193539/https://www.sipri.org/publications/2019/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2018|archivedate=8 March 2020|url-status=live|last1=Tian|first1=Nan|last2=Fleurant|first2=Aude|last3=Kuimova|first3=Alexandra|last4=Wezeman|first4=Pieter D.|last5=Wezeman|first5=Siemon T.}}</ref> In 2018, military spending was at $49.5&nbsp;billion, about 1.2% of the country's GDP, well below the NATO target of 2%.<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 June 2020|title=White House considers withdrawing 9,500 US soldiers from Germany|url=https://internationalinsider.org/white-house-considers-withdrawing-9500-us-soldiers-from-germany/|website=International Insider|accessdate=6 March 2021|archivedate=3 March 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303054648/https://internationalinsider.org/white-house-considers-withdrawing-9500-us-soldiers-from-germany/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/52745/germany-to-increase-defence-spending |title=Germany to increase defence spending |website=IHS Jane's 360 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705180905/http://www.janes.com/article/52745/germany-to-increase-defence-spending |archivedate=5 July 2015 |accessdate=20 January 2016}}</ref> However, in response to the 2022 [[Russo-Ukrainian War|Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that German military expenditure would be increased past the NATO target of 2%, along with a one-time 2022 infusion of 100 billion euros, representing almost double the 53 billion euro military budget for 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany commits €100 billion to defense spending |date=27 February 2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-commits-100-billion-to-defense-spending/a-60933724 |accessdate=11 March 2022 |website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Schuetze |first=Christopher F. |date=27 February 2022 |title=Russia's invasion prompts Germany to beef up military funding. |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/27/world/europe/germany-military-budget-russia-ukraine.html |accessdate=11 March 2022}}</ref>

{{asof|2020|01}}, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} has a strength of 184,001 active soldiers and 80,947 civilians.<ref name="bundeswehr">{{cite web|url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ueber-die-bundeswehr/zahlen-daten-fakten/personalzahlen-bundeswehr|title=Aktuelle Personalzahlen der Bundeswehr|trans-title=Current personnel numbers of the Federal Defence|publisher=Bundeswehr|language=de|accessdate=2 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301201451/https://www.bundeswehr.de/de/ueber-die-bundeswehr/zahlen-daten-fakten/personalzahlen-bundeswehr|archivedate=1 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Reservists are available to the armed forces and participate in defence exercises and deployments abroad.<ref name="bwzukunft">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP3I5EyrpHK9pPKUVL3ikqLUzJLsosTUtJJUvbzU0vTU4pLEnJLSvHRUuYKcxDygoH5BtqMiAMTJdF8!/ |title=Ausblick: Die Bundeswehr der Zukunft |publisher=[[Bundeswehr]] |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604001134/http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP3I5EyrpHK9pPKUVL3ikqLUzJLsosTUtJJUvbzU0vTU4pLEnJLSvHRUuYKcxDygoH5BtqMiAMTJdF8!/ |archivedate=4 June 2011 |accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref> Until 2011, [[Conscription in Germany|military service]] was compulsory for men at age 18, but this has been officially suspended and replaced with a voluntary service.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/22/germany-abolish-compulsory-military-service |title=Germany to abolish compulsory military service |last=Connolly, Kate |date=22 November 2010 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917223043/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/22/germany-abolish-compulsory-military-service |archivedate=17 September 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/16/conscription-germany-army |title=Marching orders for conscription in Germany, but what will take its place? |last=Pidd, Helen |date=16 March 2011 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922000942/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/16/conscription-germany-army |archivedate=22 September 2013 }}</ref> Since 2001 women may serve in all functions of service without restriction.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/FcwxEoUgDAXAE0l6O0_x1YZ5QMSMEp2In-urs_3STC_FXzKqHIqdRpqi9KG50BK7qxpL3Qy8VHbZbk07MqtbDDerF_WJzYdGv286DbmAJj26iLgynaUMD6qutPs!/ |title=Frauen in der Bundeswehr |publisher=[[Bundeswehr]] |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429090325/http://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/!ut/p/c4/FcwxEoUgDAXAE0l6O0_x1YZ5QMSMEp2In-urs_3STC_FXzKqHIqdRpqi9KG50BK7qxpL3Qy8VHbZbk07MqtbDDerF_WJzYdGv286DbmAJj26iLgynaUMD6qutPs!/ |archivedate=29 April 2011 |accessdate=14 April 2011}}</ref> According to the [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute]], Germany was the fourth-largest exporter of major arms in the world from 2014 to 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sipri.org/publications/2019/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-international-arms-transfers-2018|title=Trends in International Arms Transfers|date=March 2019|publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|accessdate=9 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312211821/https://www.sipri.org/publications/2019/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-international-arms-transfers-2018|archivedate=12 March 2020|url-status=live|last1=Wezeman|first1=Pieter D.|last2=Fleurant|first2=Aude|last3=Kuimova|first3=Alexandra|last4=Tian|first4=Nan|last5=Wezeman|first5=Siemon T.}}</ref>

In peacetime, the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is commanded by the Minister of Defence. In [[State of Defence (Germany)|state of defence]], the Chancellor would become commander-in-chief of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}}.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/gg/gesamt.pdf |title=Grundgesetz für die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Artikel 65a,87,115b |publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz |language=German |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528210503/http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bundesrecht/gg/gesamt.pdf |archivedate=28 May 2017 |accessdate=19 March 2011 }}</ref> The role of the {{lang|de|Bundeswehr}} is described in the [[Constitution of Germany]] as defensive only. But after a ruling of the Federal Constitutional Court in 1994, the term "defence" has been defined to not only include protection of the borders of Germany, but also crisis reaction and conflict prevention, or more broadly as guarding the [[security]] of Germany anywhere in the world. {{As of|2017|post=,}} the German military has about 3,600 troops stationed in foreign countries as part of international peacekeeping forces, including about 1,200 supporting operations against [[Daesh]], 980 in the NATO-led [[Resolute Support Mission]] in Afghanistan, and 800 in [[Kosovo]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/start/einsaetze/ueberblick/zahlen/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zinSx8QnyMLI2MXIKDnQ0cQ13NQl2DHY0NzMz0wwkpiAJKG-AAjgb6wSmp-pFAM8xxmuELVKQfpR-VlViWWKFXkF9UkpNaopeYDHKhfmRGYl5KTmpAfrIjRKAgN6LcoNxREQC-OoUy/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922DSSC0AUE6UESA30M0 |title=Einsatzzahlen – die Stärke der deutschen Kontingente |date=18 August 2017 |publisher=[[Bundeswehr]] |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823022636/https://www.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/bwde/start/einsaetze/ueberblick/zahlen/!ut/p/z1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfIjo8zinSx8QnyMLI2MXIKDnQ0cQ13NQl2DHY0NzMz0wwkpiAJKG-AAjgb6wSmp-pFAM8xxmuELVKQfpR-VlViWWKFXkF9UkpNaopeYDHKhfmRGYl5KTmpAfrIjRKAgN6LcoNxREQC-OoUy/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/#Z7_B8LTL2922DSSC0AUE6UESA30M0 |archivedate=23 August 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 June 2020|title=Germany extends unified armed forces mission in Mali|url=https://internationalinsider.org/germany-extends-unified-armed-forces-mission-in-mali/|website=International Insider|accessdate=6 March 2021|archivedate=26 February 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226221509/https://internationalinsider.org/germany-extends-unified-armed-forces-mission-in-mali/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

== Economy ==

{{Main|Economy of Germany|Science and technology in Germany}}
[[File:Frankfurter_Altstadt_mit_Skyline_2019_(100MP).jpg|thumb|[[Frankfurt]] is a leading business centre in Europe and the seat of the [[European Central Bank]].<ref name="frankfurt">{{cite report|series=SPERI Global Political Economy Brief|url=http://speri.dept.shef.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SPERI-Brief-10-Frankfurt.pdf|title=Frankfurt as a financial centre after Brexit|last1=Lavery|first1=Scott|last2=Schmid|first2=Davide|year=2018|publisher=University of Sheffield|accessdate=30 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152658/http://speri.dept.shef.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SPERI-Brief-10-Frankfurt.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>]]

Germany has a [[social market economy]] with a highly skilled [[labour force]], a low level of [[Corruption in Germany|corruption]], and a high level of [[innovation]].<ref name="CIA" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.transparency.org/cpi2019|publisher=Transparency International|title=Corruption Perceptions Index 2019|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327160133/https://www.transparency.org/cpi2019|archivedate=27 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2018.pdf|page=11|title=The Global Competitiveness Report 2018|last=Schwab|first=Klaus|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224135655/http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2018.pdf|archivedate=24 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> It is the world's [[List of countries by exports|third-largest exporter]] and [[List of countries by imports|third-largest importer]],<ref name="CIA" /> and has the [[List of sovereign states in Europe by GDP (nominal)|largest economy in Europe]], which is also the world's [[List of countries by GDP (nominal)|fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP]],<ref name="wbpdf">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/the-5-largest-economies-in-the-world-and-their-growth-in-2020-2020-01-22|title=The 5 Largest Economies In The World And Their Growth In 2020|last=Bajpai|first=Prableen|date=22 January 2020|publisher=NASDAQ|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321062928/https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/the-5-largest-economies-in-the-world-and-their-growth-in-2020-2020-01-22|archivedate=21 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP)|fifth-largest by PPP]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ny.gdp.mktp.pp.cd?most_recent_value_desc=true|publisher=World Bank|title=GDP, PPP (current international $)|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330030525/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ny.gdp.mktp.pp.cd%3Fmost_recent_value_desc%3Dtrue|archivedate=30 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Its GDP per capita measured in purchasing power standards amounts to 121% of the EU27 average.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tec00114&plugin=1 |title=GDP per capita in PPS |publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu/eurostat |accessdate=18 June 2020 |archivedate=20 January 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120063953/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tec00114&plugin=1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Tertiary sector of industry|service sector]] contributes approximately 69% of the total GDP, industry 31%, and agriculture 1% {{as of|2017|lc=y}}.<ref name="CIA" /> The unemployment rate published by [[Eurostat]] amounts to 3.2% {{as of|2020|01|lc=y}}, which is the fourth-lowest in the EU.<ref name="Eurostat">{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics|website=Eurostat|title=Unemployment statistics|accessdate=29 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406062752/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Unemployment_statistics|archivedate=6 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Germany is part of the [[Internal market|European single market]] which represents more than 450 million consumers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market_en|title=The European single market|date=5 July 2016|publisher=European Commission|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409110216/https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market_en|archivedate=9 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, the country accounted for 28% of the [[Eurozone]] economy according to the [[International Monetary Fund]].<ref name="imf.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/07/05/na070717-germany-spend-more-at-home|title=Germany: Spend More At Home|publisher=International Monetary Fund|accessdate=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108101740/https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2017/07/05/na070717-germany-spend-more-at-home|archivedate=8 January 2018}}</ref> Germany introduced the common European currency, the [[euro]], in 2002.<ref name="euroc">{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/01/world/germans-say-goodbye-to-the-mark-a-symbol-of-strength-and-unity.html |title=Germans Say Goodbye to the Mark, a Symbol of Strength and Unity |last=Andrews |first=Edmund L. |date=1 January 2002 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501031330/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/01/01/world/germans-say-goodbye-to-the-mark-a-symbol-of-strength-and-unity.html |archivedate=1 May 2011 }}</ref> Its monetary policy is set by the [[European Central Bank]], which is headquartered in [[Frankfurt]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-625914|publisher=Bundesbank|title=Monetary policy|accessdate=30 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152755/https://www.bundesbank.de/en/tasks/monetary-policy/monetary-policy-625914|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="frankfurt" />

Being home to the [[History of the automobile#19th century|modern car]], the [[automotive industry in Germany]] is regarded as one of the most competitive and innovative in the world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.electrive.com/2019/12/10/cam-study-reveals-german-manufacturers-as-innovative/|publisher=Electrive|title=CAM study reveals: German carmakers are most innovative|date=10 December 2019|last=Randall|first=Chris|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510175816/https://www.electrive.com/2019/12/10/cam-study-reveals-german-manufacturers-as-innovative/|archivedate=10 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and is the [[List of countries by motor vehicle production|sixth-largest by production]] as of 2021. The top ten exports of Germany are vehicles, machinery, chemical goods, electronic products, electrical equipments, pharmaceuticals, transport equipments, basic metals, food products, and rubber and plastics.<ref name="Destatis">{{Cite web |url=http://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/ForeignTrade/_Graphic/TradingGoods.png?__blob=poster |title=Foreign trade |website=Statistiches Bundesamt |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502033130/https://www.destatis.de/EN/FactsFigures/NationalEconomyEnvironment/ForeignTrade/_Graphic/TradingGoods.png?__blob=poster |archivedate=2 May 2015 |accessdate=23 April 2015 }}</ref>

Of the world's 500 largest stock-market-listed companies measured by revenue in 2019, the [[Fortune Global 500]], 29 are headquartered in Germany.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fortune.com/global500/2019/search/?hqcountry=Germany|website=Fortune|title=Global 500|accessdate=30 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152854/https://fortune.com/global500/2019/search/?hqcountry=Germany|url-status=live}}</ref> 30 major Germany-based companies are included in the [[DAX]], the German stock market index which is operated by [[Frankfurt Stock Exchange]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/DAX:IND|publisher=Bloomberg|title=DAX|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521105452/https://www.bloomberg.com/quote/DAX:IND|archivedate=21 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Well-known international brands include [[Mercedes-Benz]], [[BMW]], [[Volkswagen]], [[Audi]], [[Siemens]], [[Allianz]], [[Adidas]], [[Porsche]], [[Robert Bosch GmbH|Bosch]] and [[Deutsche Telekom]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/235173/brand-value-of-the-leading-10-most-valuable-german-brands/|website=Statista|title=Brand value of the leading 10 most valuable German brands in 2019|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210192215/https://www.statista.com/statistics/235173/brand-value-of-the-leading-10-most-valuable-german-brands/|archivedate=10 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Berlin]] is a [[Startup ecosystem|hub]] for [[Startup company|startup companies]] and has become the leading location for venture capital funded firms in the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.euractiv.com/sections/innovation-industry/berlin-outranks-london-start-investment-317140 |title=Berlin outranks London in start-up investment |last=Frost |first=Simon |website=euractiv.com |date=28 August 2015 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106224621/http://www.euractiv.com/sections/innovation-industry/berlin-outranks-london-start-investment-317140 |archivedate=6 November 2015 |accessdate=28 October 2015}}</ref> Germany is recognised for its large portion of specialised [[small and medium enterprises]], known as the {{lang|de|[[Mittelstand]]}} model.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/driving-growth/secrets-growth-power-of-germany-mittelstand/|website=The Telegraph|title=Secrets of growth: the power of Germany's Mittelstand|last=Dakers|first=Marion|date=11 May 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306134928/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/connect/small-business/driving-growth/secrets-growth-power-of-germany-mittelstand/|archivedate=6 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> These companies represent 48% global market leaders in their segments, labelled [[hidden champions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40796571|work=BBC News|title=Germany's 'hidden champions' of the Mittelstand|last=Bayley|first=Caroline|date=17 August 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522010803/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-40796571|archivedate=22 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Research and development]] efforts form an integral part of the German economy.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bmbf.de/pub/Federal_Report_on_Research_and_Innovation_2014.pdf |title=Federal Report on Research and Innovation 2014 |date=2014 |publisher=Federal Ministry of Education and Research |archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160514110947/http://www.bmbf.de/pub/Federal_Report_on_Research_and_Innovation_2014.pdf |archivedate=14 May 2016 |accessdate=26 March 2015}}</ref> In 2018 Germany [[List of countries by number of scientific and technical journal articles|ranked fourth]] globally in terms of number of science and engineering research papers published.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/top-ten-countries-leading-scientific-publications-in-the-world/|last=McCarthy|first=Niall|title=The countries leading the world in scientific research|publisher=World Economic Forum|date=13 January 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312073822/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/01/top-ten-countries-leading-scientific-publications-in-the-world|archivedate=12 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Research institutions in Germany include the [[Max Planck Society]], the [[Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres|Helmholtz Association]], and the [[Fraunhofer Society]] and the [[Leibniz Association]].<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Nature|title=An introduction to the complexities of the German research scene|date=27 March 2019|first=Hristio|last=Boytchev|volume=567|issue=7749|pages=S34–S35|doi=10.1038/d41586-019-00910-7|pmid=30918381|bibcode=2019Natur.567S..34B|doi-access=free}}</ref> Germany is the largest contributor to the [[European Space Agency]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2019/04/20191128_esa-ministerial-2019.html|publisher=German Aerospace Centre|date=28 November 2019|title=Germany invests 3.3 billion euro in European space exploration and becomes ESA's largest contributor|accessdate=17 May 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152742/https://www.dlr.de/content/en/articles/news/2019/04/20191128_esa-ministerial-2019.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Infrastructure ===

{{Main|Transport in Germany|Energy in Germany|Telecommunications in Germany|Water supply and sanitation in Germany}}

[[File:ICE 3 Oberhaider-Wald-Tunnel.jpg|thumb|right|An [[ICE 3]] on the [[Cologne–Frankfurt high-speed rail line]]]]

With its central position in Europe, Germany is a transport hub for the continent.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/statistics/investment/Country-responses/Germany.pdf |title=Assessment of strategic plans and policy measures on Investment and Maintenance in Transport Infrastructure |year=2012 |publisher=[[International Transport Forum]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101013052/http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/statistics/investment/Country-responses/Germany.pdf |archivedate=1 January 2015 |accessdate=15 March 2014}}</ref> Its road network is among the densest in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Archive:Transport_infrastructure_at_regional_level|website=Eurostat|title=Transport infrastructure at regional level|accessdate=30 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915230224/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Archive:Transport_infrastructure_at_regional_level|archivedate=15 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The motorway ([[Autobahn]]) is widely known for having no general federally mandated [[Speed limits in Germany|speed limit]] for some classes of vehicles.<ref name="wa 16-09-2013">{{cite news |last=Jeremic |first=Sam |title=Fun, fun, fun on the autobahn |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/motors/a/-/motors/18958067/fun-fun-fun-on-the-autobahn/ |date=16 September 2013 |newspaper=[[The West Australian]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012020747/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/motors/a/-/motors/18958067/fun-fun-fun-on-the-autobahn/ |archivedate=12 October 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Intercity Express]] or ''ICE'' train network serves major German cities as well as destinations in neighbouring countries with speeds up to {{convert|300|km/h|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurail.com/en/get-inspired/trains-europe/high-speed-trains/ice|title=ICE High-Speed Trains|publisher=Eurail|accessdate=3 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011052444/http://eurail.com/en/get-inspired/trains-europe/high-speed-trains/ice|archivedate=11 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The largest German airports are [[Frankfurt Airport]] and [[Munich Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://airmundo.com/en/countries/germany/|publisher=AirMundo|title=List of major airports in Germany|accessdate=3 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317070157/https://airmundo.com/en/countries/germany/|archivedate=17 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Port of Hamburg]] is one of the top twenty [[List of world's busiest container ports|largest container ports in the world]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/statistics/top-20-container-ports|publisher=Port of Hamburg|title=Top World Container Ports|accessdate=3 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010080235/https://www.hafen-hamburg.de/en/statistics/top-20-container-ports|archivedate=10 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{As of|2015|alt=In 2015}}, Germany was the world's seventh-largest consumer of energy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/DEU|title=Germany|publisher=US Energy Information Administration|accessdate=8 February 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220015203/https://www.eia.gov/international/analysis/country/DEU|archivedate=20 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> All [[nuclear power plant]]s were phased out in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Paddison|last2= Schmidt|last3= Kappeler |first1=Laura|first2= Nadine|first3= Inke |date=15 April 2023 |title='A new era': Germany quits nuclear power, closing its final three plants |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/15/europe/germany-nuclear-phase-out-climate-intl/index.html |publisher=CNN }}</ref> It meets the country's power demands using 40% [[renewable energy|renewable sources]], and it has been called an "early leader" in [[Solar panel|solar]] and [[Offshore wind power|offshore wind]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-supplied-40-percent-net-public-power-germany-2018|website=Clean Energy Wire|last=Wettengel|first=Julian|title=Renewables supplied 40 percent of net public power in Germany in 2018|date=2 January 2019|accessdate=10 April 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152813/https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/renewables-supplied-40-percent-net-public-power-germany-2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="International Energy Agency-2021">{{Cite web |publisher=International Energy Agency |date=16 December 2021 |title=Germany|url=https://www.iea.org/countries/germany |accessdate=24 May 2022 }}</ref> Germany is committed to the [[Paris Agreement]] and several other treaties promoting biodiversity, low emission standards, and [[water management]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbd.int/financial/2017docs/germany-commitment2016.pdf|title=Committed to Biodiversity|publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development|year=2017|accessdate=10 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212170157/https://www.cbd.int/financial/2017docs/germany-commitment2016.pdf|archivedate=12 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/world/europe/germany-climate-law.html|last=Eddy|first=Melissa|date=15 November 2019|title=Germany Passes Climate-Protection Law to Ensure 2030 Goals|newspaper=The New York Times |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313200755/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/world/europe/germany-climate-law.html|archivedate=13 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://humanright2water.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WL-Country-Mapping-Germany.pdf|title=Legal Country Mapping: Germany|publisher=WaterLex|date=6 July 2018|accessdate=27 March 2021|archivedate=28 September 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928114238/http://humanright2water.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/WL-Country-Mapping-Germany.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> The country's household recycling rate is among the highest in the world—at around 65%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.climateaction.org/news/germany-is-the-worlds-leading-nation-for-recycling|publisher=Climate Action|title=Germany is the world's leading nation for recycling|date=11 December 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911230531/http://www.climateaction.org/news/germany-is-the-worlds-leading-nation-for-recycling|archivedate=11 September 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The country's [[List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions per person|greenhouse gas emissions per capita]] were the ninth-highest in the EU {{as of|2018|alt=in 2018}}, but these numbers have been trending downward.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/986392/co2-emissions-per-cap-by-country-eu/|website=Statista|title=Greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the European Union (EU-28) in 2018, by country|accessdate=24 March 2021|archivedate=4 March 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304134727/https://www.statista.com/statistics/986392/co2-emissions-per-cap-by-country-eu/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |publisher=International Energy Agency |date=10 November 2021 |title=Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Energy Data Explorer |url=https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-tools/greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-energy-data-explorer |accessdate=8 November 2022 }}</ref> The [[Energy transition in Germany|German energy transition]] ({{lang|de|Energiewende}}) is the recognised move to a sustainable economy by means of energy efficiency and renewable energy.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Portaldata/1/Resources/bilder/portal/portal_2012_1/leitstudie2011_bf.pdf |title=Langfristszenarien und Strategien für den Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien in Deutschland bei Berücksichtigung der Entwicklung in Europa und global |last=Federal Ministry for the Environment |date=29 March 2012 |publisher=Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) |trans-title=Long-term Scenarios and Strategies for the Development of Renewable Energy in Germany Considering Development in Europe and Globally |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921145218/http://www.dlr.de/dlr/Portaldata/1/Resources/bilder/portal/portal_2012_1/leitstudie2011_bf.pdf |archivedate=21 September 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="International Energy Agency-2021" />

=== Tourism ===

{{Main|Tourism in Germany}}

[[File:Castle_Neuschwanstein.jpg|thumb|[[Neuschwanstein Castle]] in Bavaria]]

Germany is the ninth-most visited country in the world {{as of|2017|lc=yes}}, with 37.4 million visits.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/indicators/ST.INT.ARVL/rankings|website=Index Mundi|title=International tourism, number of arrivals|accessdate=13 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106140327/http://www.indexmundi.com/facts/indicators/ST.INT.ARVL/rankings|archivedate=6 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Domestic and international travel and tourism combined directly contribute over €105.3&nbsp;billion to German GDP. Including indirect and induced impacts, the industry supports 4.2 million jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/EN/Publikationen/wirtschaftsfaktor-tourismus-in-deutschland-lang.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3|title=Tourism as a driver of economic growth in Germany|publisher=Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy|date=November 2017|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=8 July 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708124326/https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/EN/Publikationen/wirtschaftsfaktor-tourismus-in-deutschland-lang.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3|url-status=live}}</ref>

Germany's most visited and popular landmarks include [[Cologne Cathedral]], the [[Brandenburg Gate]], the [[Reichstag building|Reichstag]], the [[Dresden Frauenkirche]], [[Neuschwanstein Castle]], [[Heidelberg Castle]], the [[Wartburg]], and [[Sanssouci Palace]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-most-visited-landmarks/a-19432005|publisher=DW|title=Germany's most visited landmarks|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=6 July 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706112642/https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-most-visited-landmarks/a-19432005|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Europa-Park]] near [[Freiburg im Breisgau|Freiburg]] is Europe's second-most popular theme park resort.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/236193/attendance-at-the-europa-park-rust-theme-park/|publisher=Statista|title=Attendance at the Europa Park Rust theme park from 2009 to 2018 (in millions)|date=19 June 2020|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=1 August 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801004437/https://www.statista.com/statistics/236193/attendance-at-the-europa-park-rust-theme-park/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Demographics ==

{{Main|Demographics of Germany|Germans}}

With a population of 80.2&nbsp;million according to the [[2011 German Census]],<ref name="File 2013">{{cite web|url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2013/Zensus2011/bevoelkerung_zensus2011.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |title=Zensus 2011: Bevölkerung am 9. Mai 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010084809/https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2013/Zensus2011/bevoelkerung_zensus2011.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=10 October 2017|accessdate=1 June 2013|publisher=Destatis}}</ref> rising to 83.7&nbsp;million {{as of|2022|lc=y}},<ref name="2022pop">{{cite web|url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Bevoelkerung/Bevoelkerungsstand/Tabellen/zensus-geschlecht-staatsangehoerigkeit-2022.html|title=Bevölkerung nach Geschlecht und Staatsangehörigkeit|accessdate=25 August 2022|website=Destatis|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823083410/https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Bevoelkerung/Bevoelkerungsstand/Tabellen/zensus-geschlecht-staatsangehoerigkeit-2019.html|archivedate=23 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Germany is the most populous country in the European Union, the [[List of European countries by population|second-most populous country]] in Europe after [[Russia]], and the [[List of countries by population|nineteenth-most populous country]] in the world. Its [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by population density|population density]] stands at 227 inhabitants per square kilometre (588 per square mile). The [[Total fertility rate|fertility rate]] of 1.57 children born per woman (2022 estimates) is below the replacement rate of 2.1 and is one of the [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by fertility rate|lowest fertility rates in the world]].<ref name="CIA" /> Since the 1970s, Germany's [[death rate]] has exceeded its [[birth rate]]. However, Germany is witnessing increased birth rates and migration rates since the beginning of the 2010s. Germany has the [[List of countries by median age|third oldest population in the world]], with an average age of 47.4 years.<ref name="CIA" />

[[File:Bilinguale Straßenbeschilderung Cottbus.jpg|thumb|A bilingual street sign in both German and [[Lower Sorbian language|Lower Sorbian]] languages in the city of [[Cottbus]] (''Chóśebuz''), [[Brandenburg]]]]

Four sizeable groups of people are referred to as "national minorities" because their ancestors have lived in their respective regions for centuries:<ref name="BMI 2010">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Broschueren/2010/nat_minderheiten.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |title=National Minorities in Germany |date=May 2010 |publisher=[[Federal Ministry of the Interior (Germany)]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421151141/http://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/EN/Broschueren/2010/nat_minderheiten.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=21 April 2013 |accessdate=23 June 2014}}</ref> There is a [[Danes|Danish]] minority in the northernmost state of [[Schleswig-Holstein]];<ref name="BMI 2010" /> the [[Sorbs]], a [[Slavic people|Slavic population]], are in the [[Lusatia]] region of [[Free State of Saxony|Saxony]] and [[Brandenburg]]; the [[Romani people|Roma]] and [[Sinti]] live throughout the country; and the [[Frisians]] are concentrated in [[Schleswig-Holstein]]'s western coast and in the north-western part of [[Lower Saxony]].<ref name="BMI 2010" />

After the United States, Germany is the second-most popular [[Immigration to Germany|immigration destination]] in the world. The majority of migrants live in western Germany, in particular in urban areas. Of the country's residents, 18.6&nbsp;million people (22.5%) were of immigrant or partially immigrant descent in 2016 (including persons descending or partially descending from [[ethnic German]] repatriates).<ref name="Destatis1">{{cite web|url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2017/08/PD17_261_12511.html |title=Bevölkerung mit Migrationshintergrund um 8,5 % gestiegen|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829035619/https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2017/08/PD17_261_12511.html |archivedate=29 August 2017 |publisher= [[Federal Statistical Office of Germany]]|language=German|accessdate= 1 August 2017}}</ref> In 2015, the Population Division of the [[United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs]] listed Germany as host to the [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by immigrant population|second-highest number of international migrants worldwide]], about 5% or 12&nbsp;million of all 244&nbsp;million migrants.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/publications/migrationreport/docs/MigrationReport2015_Highlights.pdf |title=International Migration Report 2015 – Highlights |year=2015 |publisher=United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513001608/http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/publications/migrationreport/docs/MigrationReport2015_Highlights.pdf |archivedate=13 May 2016 |accessdate=9 June 2016}}</ref> {{As of|2019}}, Germany ranks seventh amongst EU countries in terms of the percentage of migrants in the country's population, at 13.1%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.oecd.org/migration/foreign-population.htm#indicator-chart|publisher=OECD|title=Foreign population|accessdate=28 October 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313152632/https://data.oecd.org/migration/foreign-population.htm#indicator-chart|archivedate=13 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Germany has a number of large [[List of cities and towns in Germany|cities]]. There are 11 officially recognised [[metropolitan regions in Germany|metropolitan regions]]. The country's largest city is [[Berlin]], while its largest urban area is the [[Ruhr]].<ref name="Demographia">[http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf Demographia: World Urban Areas] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503021711/http://www.demographia.com/db-worldua.pdf |date=3 May 2018 }}. Retrieved 31 July 2016.</ref>
{{Largest cities of Germany}}

=== Religion ===

{{Main|Religion in Germany}}

[[File:500px photo (70560973).jpeg|thumb|[[Cologne Cathedral]] is a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].]]
Christianity was introduced to the area of modern Germany by 300 AD and became fully [[Christianization of Germany|Christianized]] by the time of [[Charlemagne]] in the eighth and ninth century. After the [[Reformation]] started by [[Martin Luther]] in the early 16th century, many people left the [[Catholic Church]] and became [[Protestant]], mainly [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] and [[Calvinism|Calvinist]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Minahan |first1=James |year=2000 |chapter=Germans|title=One Europe, Many Nations: A Historical Dictionary of European National Groups |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |pages=287–294 |isbn=0313309841}}</ref>

According to the 2011 census, Christianity was the largest religion in Germany, with 66.8% of respondents identifying as Christian, of which 3.8% were not church members.<ref name="Egeler">{{Cite web |url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2013/Zensus2011/Statement_Egeler_zensus_PDF.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |title=Pressekonferenz "Zensus 2011 – Fakten zur Bevölkerung in Deutschland" am 31. Mai 2013 in Berlin |publisher=[[Federal Statistical Office of Germany]] |pages=9–11 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010094954/https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2013/Zensus2011/Statement_Egeler_zensus_PDF.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=10 October 2017}}</ref> 31.7% declared themselves as [[Protestants]], including members of the [[Evangelical Church in Germany]] (which encompasses [[Lutheran]], [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]], and administrative or confessional [[United and uniting churches|unions of both traditions]]) and the [[free churches]] ({{lang|de|Evangelische Freikirchen}}); 31.2% declared themselves as [[Roman Catholicism in Germany|Roman Catholics]], and [[Eastern Orthodox|Orthodox]] believers constituted 1.3%. According to data from 2016, the Catholic Church and the Evangelical Church claimed 28.5% and 27.5%, respectively, of the population.<ref name="Eck16">{{cite web|url=http://www.dbk.de/fileadmin/redaktion/diverse_downloads/presse_2017/2017-121a-Flyer-Eckdaten-Kirchenstatistik-2016.pdf |title=Official membership statistics of the Roman Catholic Church in Germany 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010074912/http://www.dbk.de/fileadmin/redaktion/diverse_downloads/presse_2017/2017-121a-Flyer-Eckdaten-Kirchenstatistik-2016.pdf |archivedate=10 October 2017 |accessdate= 20 June 2017|publisher=Sekretariat der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz}}</ref><ref name="EKD2017">{{cite web|url= http://archiv.ekd.de/download/broschuere_2017_internet.pdf|title= Official membership statistics of the Evangelical Church in Germany 2016|accessdate= 5 June 2017|publisher= Evangelischen Kirche in Deutschland|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20171010075258/http://archiv.ekd.de/download/broschuere_2017_internet.pdf|archivedate= 10 October 2017|url-status= live}}</ref> [[Islam in Germany|Islam]] is the second-largest religion in the country.<ref name="Zensus 2011">{{Cite web |url=https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#StaticContent:00,BEG_4_2_6,m,table |title=Bevölkerung im regionalen Vergleich nach Religion (ausführlich) -in %- |date=9 May 2011 |website=Zensus 2011 |publisher=[[Federal Statistical Office of Germany]] |page=Zensus 2011 – Page 6 |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621101339/https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/#StaticContent:00,BEG_4_2_6,m,table |archivedate=21 June 2013 }}</ref>

In the 2011 census, 1.9% of respondents (1.52&nbsp;million people) gave their religion as Islam, but this figure is deemed unreliable because a disproportionate number of adherents of this faith (and other religions, such as Judaism) are likely to have made use of their right not to answer the question.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Zensus 2011 – Fakten zur Bevölkerung in Deutschland" am 31. Mai 2013 in Berlin |publisher=[[Federal Statistical Office of Germany]] |url=https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2013/Zensus2011/Statement_Egeler_zensus_PDF.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |language=German |accessdate=28 September 2017 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010094954/https://www.destatis.de/DE/PresseService/Presse/Pressekonferenzen/2013/Zensus2011/Statement_Egeler_zensus_PDF.pdf?__blob=publicationFile |archivedate=10 October 2017 |trans-title=2011 Census – Facts about the population of Germany on 31 May 2013 in Berlin |url-status=live}}</ref> Most of the Muslims are [[Sunni Islam|Sunnis]] and [[Alevites]] from Turkey, but there are a small number of [[Shia Islam|Shi'ites]], [[Ahmadiyya]]s and other denominations. Other religions comprise less than one percent of Germany's population.<ref name="Zensus 2011" />

A study in 2018 estimated that 38% of the population are not members of any religious organization or [[religious denomination|denomination]],<ref name="FOWID">{{Cite web |url=https://fowid.de/meldung/religionszugehoerigkeiten-2018 |title=Religionszugehörigkeiten 2018 |date=25 July 2019 |website=Forschungsgruppe Weltanschauungen in Deutschland |language=de |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725164543/https://fowid.de/meldung/religionszugehoerigkeiten-2018 |archivedate=25 July 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> though up to a third may still consider themselves religious. [[Irreligion in Germany]] is strongest in the former East Germany, which used to be predominantly Protestant before the enforcement of state atheism, and in major metropolitan areas.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/22/atheism-east-germany-godless-place |title=Eastern Germany: the most godless place on Earth |last=Thompson|first=Peter |date=22 September 2012 |work=The Guardian|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929114047/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/22/atheism-east-germany-godless-place |archivedate=29 September 2013 }}</ref><ref name="georgetown1">{{Cite web |url=http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/resources/germany |title=Germany |publisher=[[Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs]] |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324170951/http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/resources/germany |archivedate=24 March 2015 |accessdate=27 March 2015}}</ref>

=== Languages ===

{{Main|German language|Languages of Germany}}

German is the official and predominant spoken language in Germany.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages">{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf |title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Survey) |year=2006 |publisher=[[Europa (web portal)|Europa]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414102658/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_en.pdf |archivedate=14 April 2016 |accessdate=28 March 2011}}<br />{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf |title=Special Eurobarometer 243: Europeans and their Languages (Executive Summary) |last=[[European Commission]] |year=2006 |publisher=[[Europa (web portal)|Europa]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430202903/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_243_sum_en.pdf |archivedate=30 April 2011 |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> It is one of 24 official and working languages of the European Union, and one of the three procedural languages of the [[European Commission]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_13_825|title=Frequently asked questions on languages in Europe|date=26 September 2013|publisher=European Commission|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=5 July 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705223150/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/MEMO_13_825|url-status=live}}</ref> German is the most widely spoken first language in the European Union, with around 100 million native speakers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/culture/the-german-language-surprising-facts-and-figures|title=The German Language|date=20 February 2018|publisher=FAZIT Communication GmbH|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=2 October 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002203206/https://www.deutschland.de/en/topic/culture/the-german-language-surprising-facts-and-figures|url-status=live}}</ref>

Recognised native minority languages in Germany are [[Danish language|Danish]], [[Low German]], [[Low Rhenish]], [[Sorbian languages|Sorbian]], [[Romani language|Romani]], [[North Frisian language|North Frisian]] and [[Saterland Frisian language|Saterland Frisian]]; they are officially protected by the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]]. The most used immigrant languages are [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Arabic]], [[Kurdish language|Kurdish]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Greek language|Greek]], [[Serbo-Croatian]], [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]] and other [[Balkan languages]], as well as [[Russian language|Russian]]. Germans are typically multilingual: 67% of German citizens claim to be able to communicate in at least one foreign language and 27% in at least two.<ref name="Eurobarometer Languages" />

=== Education ===

{{Main|Education in Germany}}

[[File:Heidelberg Universitätsbibliothek 2003.jpg|thumb|[[Heidelberg University]] is Germany's oldest institution of higher learning and generally counted among its most renowned.]]

Responsibility for educational supervision in Germany is primarily organised within the individual [[States of Germany|states]]. Optional [[kindergarten]] education is provided for all children between three and six years old, after which [[Schulpflicht|school attendance is compulsory]] for at least nine years depending on the state. Primary education usually lasts for four to six years.<ref name="ED">{{Cite web |url=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Germany.pdf |title=Country profile: Germany |date=April 2008 |publisher=Library of Congress |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427060904/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/Germany.pdf |archivedate=27 April 2011 |accessdate=28 March 2011}}</ref> Secondary schooling is divided into tracks based on whether students pursue [[college-preparatory school|academic]] or [[vocational education]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wenr.wes.org/2016/11/education-in-germany|title=Education in Germany|author=Trines, Stefan|date=8 November 2016|website=World Education News and Reviews|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=5 April 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405120422/https://wenr.wes.org/2016/11/education-in-germany|url-status=live}}</ref> A system of apprenticeship called {{lang|de|[[Dual education system|Duale Ausbildung]]}} leads to a skilled qualification which is almost comparable to an academic degree. It allows students in [[vocational training]] to learn in a company as well as in a state-run trade school.<ref name="ED" /> This model is well regarded and reproduced all around the world.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/4f43b5c4-a32b-11e1-8f34-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2RApE4hJA |title=A German model goes global |website=Financial Times |date=21 May 2012 |url-access=registration |accessdate=28 September 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728095341/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/4f43b5c4-a32b-11e1-8f34-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2RApE4hJA |archivedate=28 July 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Most of the [[List of universities in Germany|German universities]] are public institutions, and students traditionally study without fee payment.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://theconversation.com/should-we-follow-the-german-way-of-free-higher-education-23970 |title=Should we follow the German way of free higher education? |first1=Tim |last1=Pitman |date=18 March 2014 |work=The Conversation |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318031926/http://theconversation.com/should-we-follow-the-german-way-of-free-higher-education-23970 |archivedate=18 March 2014 |last2=Hannah Forsyth}}</ref> The general requirement for attending university is the {{lang|de|[[Abitur]]}}. According to an OECD report in 2014, Germany is the world's third leading destination for international study.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/germany/growing-popularity-international-study-germany |title=The Growing Popularity of International Study in Germany |first=Laura|last=Bridgestock |date=13 November 2014 |website=QS Topuniversities |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413063050/http://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/europe/germany/growing-popularity-international-study-germany |archivedate=13 April 2016}}</ref> The established universities in Germany include some of the [[List of oldest universities in continuous operation|oldest in the world]], with [[Heidelberg University]] (established in 1386) being the oldest.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/university/rankings/ |title=Rankings: Universität Heidelberg in International Comparison|publisher=Universität Heidelberg |first=Björn |last=Bertram |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921065348/http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/university/rankings/ |archivedate=21 September 2014 |accessdate=28 September 2014}}</ref> The [[Humboldt University of Berlin]], founded in 1810 by the liberal educational reformer [[Wilhelm von Humboldt]], became the academic [[Humboldtian model of higher education|model for many Western universities]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/humboldt-university-berlin|website=Times Higher Education|title=Humboldt University of Berlin|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=15 June 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200615201758/https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/humboldt-university-berlin|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drc.uns.ac.rs/presentations/05_DS/03-Prof.Dr.HeinrichKern.pdf|website=26th Annual Meeting of the Danube Rectors Conference|title=Humboldt's educational ideal and modern academic education|author=Kern, Heinrich|year=2010|accessdate=5 July 2020|archivedate=24 February 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224180046/http://www.drc.uns.ac.rs/presentations/05_DS/03-Prof.Dr.HeinrichKern.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In the contemporary era Germany has developed eleven [[German Universities Excellence Initiative|Universities of Excellence]].

=== Health ===

{{Main|Healthcare in Germany}}

[[File:Heiligen-Geist-Hospital in Lübeck.JPG|thumb|The Hospital of the Holy Spirit in [[Lübeck]], established in 1286, is a precursor to modern hospitals.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.luebeck-tourism.de/discover/sights/hospital-of-the-holy-spirit.html |title=Hospital of the Holy Spirit Lübeck |publisher=Lübeck + Travemünde |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215044833/http://www.luebeck-tourism.de/discover/sights/hospital-of-the-holy-spirit.html |archivedate=15 December 2014 |accessdate=12 December 2014}}</ref>]]

Germany's system of hospitals, called {{lang|de|Krankenhäuser}}, dates from medieval times, and today, Germany has the world's oldest [[universal health care]] system, dating from [[Otto von Bismarck#Social legislation|Bismarck's social legislation]] of the 1880s.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/80776/E68952.pdf |title=Health Care Systems in Transition: Germany |publisher=European Observatory on Health Care Systems |year=2000 |page=8|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513054407/http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/80776/E68952.pdf |archivedate=13 May 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Since the 1880s, reforms and provisions have ensured a balanced health care system. The population is covered by a health insurance plan provided by statute, with criteria allowing some groups to opt for a private health insurance contract. According to the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO), Germany's [[health care system]] was 77% government-funded and 23% privately funded {{as of|2013|lc=on}}.<ref name="health">{{Cite web |url=http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.country.country-DEU?lang=en |title=Germany statistics summary (2002–present) |publisher=World Health Organization |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606194340/http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.country.country-DEU?lang=en |archivedate=6 June 2016 |accessdate=4 June 2016}}</ref> In 2014, Germany spent 11.3% of its GDP on health care.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS |title=Health expenditure, total (% of GDP) |date=1 January 2016 |publisher=World Bank |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130122558/http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SH.XPD.TOTL.ZS |archivedate=30 January 2017}}</ref>

Germany ranked 21st in the world in 2019 in life expectancy with [[List of countries by life expectancy|78.7 years for men and 84.8 years for women]] according to the WHO, and it had a very low [[infant mortality rate]] (4 per 1,000 [[Live birth (human)|live births]]). {{As of|2019|alt=In 2019}}, the principal cause of death was cardiovascular disease, at 37%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/419459/Country-Health-Profile-2019-Germany.pdf?ua=1|publisher=WHO|title=Germany Country Health Profile 2019|accessdate=9 March 2020|archivedate=20 June 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620152704/https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/419459/Country-Health-Profile-2019-Germany.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Obesity in Germany]] has been increasingly cited as a major health issue. A 2014 study showed that 52 percent of the adult German population was overweight or obese.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Overweight_and_obesity_-_BMI_statistics|title=Overweight and obesity – BMI statistics|website=Eurostat|accessdate=14 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325112121/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Overweight_and_obesity_-_BMI_statistics|archivedate=25 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Culture ==

{{Main|Culture of Germany}}
{{See also|Science and technology in Germany}}

[[File:Striezelmarkt 2009 00950.jpg|thumb|A typical German {{lang|de|Weihnachtsmarkt}} ([[Christmas market]]) in [[Dresden]]]]

Culture in German states has been shaped by major intellectual and popular currents in Europe, both religious and [[secularism|secular]]. Historically, Germany has been called {{lang|de|Das Land der Dichter und Denker}} ('the land of poets and thinkers'),<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,410135,00.html |title=Spätzle Westerns |last=Wasser, Jeremy |date=6 April 2006 |work=Spiegel Online International |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427053606/http://www.spiegel.de/international/0,1518,410135,00.html |archivedate=27 April 2011}}</ref> because of the major role its [[Science and technology in Germany|scientists]], [[German literature|writers]] and [[German philosophy|philosophers]] have played in the development of Western thought.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17299607 |title=Germany country profile |date=25 February 2015 |website=BBC News|url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602194632/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17299607 |archivedate=2 June 2015}}</ref> A global opinion poll for the [[BBC]] revealed that Germany is recognised for having the most positive influence in the world in 2013 and 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22624104 |title=BBC poll: Germany most popular country in the world |date=23 May 2013 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523014312/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22624104 |archivedate=23 May 2013 |newspaper=BBC News }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/world-service-country-poll |title=World Service Global Poll: Negative views of Russia on the rise |date=4 June 2014 |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812221010/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/world-service-country-poll |archivedate=12 August 2014 }}</ref>

Germany is well known for such folk festival traditions as the [[Oktoberfest]] and [[Weihnachten|Christmas customs]], which include [[Advent wreath]]s, [[Nativity play|Christmas pageants]], [[Christmas tree]]s, [[Stollen]] cakes, and other practices.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29380144 |title=The country with one people and 1,200 sausages |last=MacGregor, Neil |date=28 September 2014 |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210062000/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29380144 |archivedate=10 December 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/ |title=Christmas Traditions in Austria, Germany, Switzerland |publisher=German Ways |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225193546/http://www.german-way.com/history-and-culture/holidays-and-celebrations/christmas/ |archivedate=25 December 2014 |accessdate=12 December 2014}}</ref> {{As of|2016}} [[UNESCO]] inscribed [[World Heritage Sites in Germany|41 properties in Germany on the World Heritage List]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/de |title=World Heritage Sites in Germany |publisher=UNESCO |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160323055317/https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/de |archivedate=23 March 2016 |accessdate=22 March 2016}}</ref> There are a number of [[public holidays in Germany]] determined by each state; 3 October has been a [[national day]] of Germany since 1990, celebrated as the {{lang|de|Tag der Deutschen Einheit}} ([[German Unity Day]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.buzer.de/s1.htm?g=Einigungsvertrag&a=2 |title=Artikel 2 EV – Vertrag zwischen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland und der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik über die Herstellung der Einheit Deutschlands (Einigungsvertrag – EV k.a.Abk.) |publisher=buzer.de |language=German |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923224034/http://www.buzer.de/s1.htm?g=Einigungsvertrag&a=2 |archivedate=23 September 2015 |accessdate=15 May 2015}}</ref>

=== Music ===

{{Main|Music of Germany}}

[[File:Beethoven.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Ludwig van Beethoven]] (1770–1827), composer]]

German [[classical music era|classical music]] includes works by some of the world's most well-known composers. [[Dieterich Buxtehude]], [[Johann Sebastian Bach]] and [[George Frideric Handel|Georg Friedrich Händel]] were influential composers of the [[Baroque music|Baroque period]]. [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] was a crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and [[Romantic music|Romantic]] eras. [[Carl Maria von Weber]], [[Felix Mendelssohn]], [[Robert Schumann]] and [[Johannes Brahms]] were significant Romantic composers. [[Richard Wagner]] was known for his operas. [[Richard Strauss]] was a leading composer of the late Romantic and early [[20th-century classical music|modern]] eras. [[Karlheinz Stockhausen]] and [[Wolfgang Rihm]] are important composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Grove Music Online|title=Germany, Federal Republic of|author1=John Kmetz|author2=Ludwig Finscher|author3=Giselher Schubert|author4=Wilhelm Schepping|author5=Philip V. Bohlman|date=20 January 2001|doi=10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.40055}}</ref>

As of 2013, Germany was the second-largest music market in Europe, and fourth-largest in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.riaj.or.jp/e/issue/pdf/RIAJ2013E.pdf |title=The Recorded Music Industry in Japan |year=2013 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of Japan |page=24 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818080109/http://www.riaj.or.jp/e/issue/pdf/RIAJ2013E.pdf |archivedate=18 August 2013 |accessdate=8 February 2014 }}</ref> German popular music of the 20th and 21st centuries includes the movements of [[Neue Deutsche Welle]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[Ostrock]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]/[[German rock|rock]], [[German punk|punk]], [[pop rock]], [[Indie rock|indie]], [[Volksmusik]] (folk music), [[Schlager music|schlager pop]] and [[German hip hop]]. German [[electronic music]] gained global influence, with [[Kraftwerk]] and [[Tangerine Dream]] pioneering in this genre.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dw.de/kraftwerk-maintain-their-legacy-as-electro-pioneers/a-6497092 |title=Kraftwerk maintain their legacy as electro-pioneers |date=8 April 2011 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404040323/http://www.dw.de//kraftwerk-maintain-their-legacy-as-electro-pioneers//a-6497092 |archivedate=4 April 2013 |website=Deutsche Welle}}</ref> DJs and artists of the [[techno]] and [[house music]] scenes of Germany have become well known (e.g. [[Paul van Dyk]], [[Felix Jaehn]], [[Paul Kalkbrenner]], [[Robin Schulz]] and [[Scooter (band)|Scooter]]).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nye |first=Sean |title=Minimal Understandings: The Berlin Decade, The Minimal Continuum, and Debates on the Legacy of German Techno |url=https://www.academia.edu/3813069 |url-status=live |journal=Journal of Popular Music Studies |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101013427/http://www.academia.edu/3813069/Minimal_Understandings_The_Berlin_Decade_The_Minimal_Continuum_and_Debates_on_the_Legacy_of_German_Techno |archivedate=1 January 2015 |accessdate=12 December 2014}}</ref>

=== Art, design and architecture ===

{{Main|German art|Architecture of Germany|German fashion}}

{{multiple image
|align=right
|width1=132
|image1=Caspar David Friedrich - Wanderer above the sea of fog.jpg
|caption1=[[Caspar David Friedrich|C.D. Friedrich]], ''[[Wanderer above the Sea of Fog]]'' (1818)
|width2=155
|image2=Franz Marc 020.jpg
|caption2=[[Franz Marc]], ''Roe Deer in the Forest'' (1914)
}}

German painters have influenced [[Art of Europe|Western art]]. [[Albrecht Dürer]], [[Hans Holbein the Younger]], [[Matthias Grünewald]] and [[Lucas Cranach the Elder]] were important German artists of the [[Renaissance]], [[Johann Baptist Zimmermann]] of the [[Baroque]], [[Caspar David Friedrich]] and [[Carl Spitzweg]] of [[Romanticism]], [[Max Liebermann]] of [[Impressionism]] and [[Max Ernst]] of [[Surrealism]]. Several German art groups formed in the 20th century; {{lang|de|[[Die Brücke]]}} (The Bridge) and {{lang|de|[[Der Blaue Reiter]]}} (The Blue Rider) influenced the development of [[German Expressionism|expressionism]] in Munich and Berlin. The [[New Objectivity]] arose in response to expressionism during the Weimar Republic. After World War II, broad trends in German art include [[neo-expressionism]] and the [[New Leipzig School]].<ref name="groveart">{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Grove Art Online|author1=David Jenkinson|author2=Günther Binding|author2-link=Günther Binding|author3=Doris Kutschbach|author4=Ulrich Knapp|author5=Howard Caygill|author5-link=Howard Caygill|author6=Achim Preiss|author7=Helmut Börsch-Supan|author8=Thomas Kliemann|author9=April Eisman|author10=Klaus Niehr|author11=Jeffrey Chipps Smith|author12=Ulrich Leben|author13=Heidrun Zinnkann|author14=Angelika Steinmetz|author15=Walter Spiegl|author16=G. Reinheckel|author17=Hannelore Müller|author18=Gerhard Bott|author19=Peter Hornsby|author20=Anna Beatriz Chadour|author21=Erika Speel|author22=A. Kenneth Snowman|author23=Brigitte Dinger|author24=Annamaria Giusti|author25=Harald Olbrich|author26=Christian Herchenröder|author27=David Alan Robertson|author28=Dominic R. Stone|author29=Eduard Isphording|author30=Heinrich Dilly|title=Germany, Federal Republic of|date=10 December 2018|doi=10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.T031531|isbn=978-1-884446-05-4}}</ref>

German designers became early leaders of modern [[product design]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5918142/8-beautiful-things-from-bauhaus-the-single-most-influential-school-of-design |title=Bauhaus: The Single Most Influential School of Design |date=13 June 2012 |website=Gizmodo |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221015122/http://gizmodo.com/5918142/8-beautiful-things-from-bauhaus-the-single-most-influential-school-of-design |archivedate=21 December 2014}}</ref> The [[Berlin Fashion Week]] and the fashion trade fair [[Bread and Butter tradeshow|Bread & Butter]] are held twice a year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-news/fashion/germanys-fashion-capital-the-improbable-rise-of-berlin-2012011713844 |title=Berlin as a fashion capital: the improbable rise |date=12 January 2012 |publisher=Fashion United UK |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508051452/http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-news/fashion/germanys-fashion-capital-the-improbable-rise-of-berlin-2012011713844 |archivedate=8 May 2015}}</ref>

Architectural contributions from Germany include the [[Carolingian architecture|Carolingian]] and [[Ottonian architecture|Ottonian styles]], which were precursors of [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]]. [[Brick Gothic]] is a distinctive medieval style that evolved in Germany. Also in [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] and [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] art, regional and typically German elements evolved (e.g. [[Weser Renaissance]]).<ref name="groveart" /> [[Vernacular architecture]] in Germany is often identified by its [[Fachwerkhaus|timber framing]] ({{lang|de|Fachwerk}}) traditions and varies across regions, and among carpentry styles.<ref name="Heinrich Stiewe 2007">{{cite book|first=Heinrich |last=Stiewe|year=2007|title=Fachwerkhäuser in Deutschland: Konstruktion, Gestalt und Nutzung vom Mittelalter bis heute|publisher=Primus Verlag|isbn=978-3-89678-589-3}}</ref> When industrialisation spread across Europe, [[classicism]] and a distinctive style of [[Historicism (art)|historicism]] developed in Germany, sometimes referred to as {{lang|de|[[Gründerzeit]]}} ''style''. [[Expressionist architecture]] developed in the 1910s in Germany and influenced [[Art Deco]] and other modern styles. Germany was particularly important in the early [[modern architecture|modernist movement]]: it is the home of [[Deutscher Werkbund|Werkbund]] initiated by [[Hermann Muthesius]] ([[New Objectivity (architecture)|New Objectivity]]), and of the [[Bauhaus]] movement founded by [[Walter Gropius]].<ref name="groveart" /> [[Ludwig Mies van der Rohe]] became one of the world's most renowned architects in the second half of the 20th century; he conceived of the glass façade [[skyscraper]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofarch00curl_0 |title=A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-19-860678-9 |page=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofarch00curl_0/page/880 880] |url-access=registration}}</ref> Renowned contemporary [[List of German architects|architects]] and offices include [[Pritzker Prize]] winners [[Gottfried Böhm]] and [[Frei Otto]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=100 Contemporary Architects |last=Jodidio |first=Philip |year=2008 |publisher=Taschen |isbn=978-3-8365-0091-3 |edition=1}}</ref>

=== Literature and philosophy ===

{{Main|German literature|German philosophy}}

[[File:Grimm.jpg|thumb|upright|left|The [[Brothers Grimm]] collected and published popular German [[Grimms' Fairy Tales|folk tales]].]]

German literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages and the works of writers such as [[Walther von der Vogelweide]] and [[Wolfram von Eschenbach]]. Well-known German authors include [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]], [[Friedrich Schiller]], [[Gotthold Ephraim Lessing]] and [[Theodor Fontane]]. The collections of folk tales published by the [[Brothers Grimm]] popularised [[German folklore]] on an international level.<ref name="D99ff">{{cite journal |last=Dégh|first= Linda |year=1979|title=Grimm's Household Tales and its Place in the Household|journal=Western Folklore|volume=38 |number=2|pages=99–101|doi=10.2307/1498562 |jstor=1498562}}</ref> The Grimms also gathered and codified regional variants of the German language, grounding their work in historical principles; their {{lang|de|[[Deutsches Wörterbuch]]}}, or German Dictionary, sometimes called the Grimm dictionary, was begun in 1838 and the first volumes published in 1854.<ref name="DWBhistory">{{cite web|title=History of the ''Deutsches Wörterbuch'' |url=http://150-grimm.bbaw.de/start.htm |website=DWB 150th Anniversary Exhibition and Symposium|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015142342/http://150-grimm.bbaw.de/start.htm |archivedate=15 October 2015|publisher= Humboldt-Universität|year= 2004|language=de|accessdate= 27 June 2012}}</ref>

Influential authors of the 20th century include [[Gerhart Hauptmann]], [[Thomas Mann]], [[Hermann Hesse]], [[Heinrich Böll]] and [[Günter Grass]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Kjell Espmark|Espmark, Kjell]] |year=2001 |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/articles/espmark/index.html |title=The Nobel Prize in Literature |publisher=Nobelprize.org |url-status=live |archivedate=26 April 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426075458/http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/articles/espmark/index.html}}</ref> The German book market is the third-largest in the world, after the United States and China.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.internationalpublishers.org/images/reports/2014/IPA-annual-report-2014.pdf |accessdate=6 July 2016 |title=Annual Report |date=October 2014 |publisher=International Publishers Association |page=13 |archivedate=11 July 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711214707/http://www.internationalpublishers.org/images/reports/2014/IPA-annual-report-2014.pdf}}</ref> The [[Frankfurt Book Fair]] is the most important in the world for international deals and trading, with a tradition spanning over 500 years.<ref>{{Cite book |title=A History of the Frankfurt Book Fair |last1=Weidhaas |first1=Peter |last2=Gossage |first2=Carolyn |last3=Wright |first3=Wendy A. |year=2007 |url=https://archive.org/details/historyoffrankfu0000weid |publisher=Dundurn Press |isbn=978-1-55002-744-0 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyoffrankfu0000weid/page/n143 11] |url-access=registration}}</ref> The [[Leipzig Book Fair]] also retains a major position in Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dw.de/leipzig-book-fair-cultural-sideshow-with-a-serious-side/a-18313879 |title=Leipzig Book Fair: Cultural sideshow with a serious side |last=Chase |first=Jefferson |date=13 March 2015 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425203420/http://www.dw.de/leipzig-book-fair-cultural-sideshow-with-a-serious-side/a-18313879 |archivedate=25 April 2015 }}</ref>

German philosophy is historically significant: [[Gottfried Leibniz]]'s contributions to [[rationalism]]; the [[Age of Enlightenment|enlightenment]] philosophy by [[Immanuel Kant]]; the establishment of classical [[German idealism]] by [[Johann Gottlieb Fichte]], [[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel]] and [[Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling]]; [[Arthur Schopenhauer]]'s composition of metaphysical pessimism; the formulation of [[communist theory]] by [[Karl Marx]] and [[Friedrich Engels]]; [[Friedrich Nietzsche]]'s development of [[perspectivism]]; [[Gottlob Frege]]'s contributions to the dawn of [[analytic philosophy]]; [[Martin Heidegger]]'s works on Being; [[Oswald Spengler]]'s historical philosophy; the development of the [[Frankfurt School]] has been particularly influential.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Blackwell Companion to Philosophy |last=Searle, John |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |year=1987 |chapter=Introduction}}</ref>

=== Media ===

{{Main|Media of Germany|Cinema of Germany}}

The largest internationally operating [[Mass media|media]] companies in Germany are the [[Bertelsmann]] enterprise, [[Axel Springer AG|Axel Springer SE]] and [[ProSiebenSat.1 Media]]. [[Television in Germany|Germany's television market]] is the largest in Europe, with some 38&nbsp;million TV households.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.astra.de/16795168/tv-verbreitung_in_deutschland |title=Distribution of TV in Germany (German) |date=19 February 2013 |publisher=Astra Sat |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101012509/http://www.astra.de/16795168/tv-verbreitung_in_deutschland |archivedate=1 January 2015 }}</ref> Around 90% of German households have cable or satellite TV, with a variety of [[Public broadcasting#Germany|free-to-view public]] and [[Commercial broadcasting|commercial]] channels.<ref name="media" /> There are more than 300 public and private [[List of radio stations in Germany|radio stations in Germany]]; Germany's national radio network is the [[Deutschlandradio]] and the public [[Deutsche Welle]] is the main German radio and television broadcaster in foreign languages.<ref name="media" /> Germany's print market of [[List of newspapers in Germany|newspapers]] and [[List of magazines in Germany|magazines]] is the largest in Europe.<ref name="media">{{cite web|url=https://medialandscapes.org/country/germany|title=Germany|publisher=Media Landscapes|accessdate=14 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327081145/https://medialandscapes.org/country/germany|archivedate=27 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The papers with the highest circulation are {{lang|de|[[Bild]]}}, {{lang|de|[[Süddeutsche Zeitung]]}}, {{lang|de|[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]]}} and {{lang|de|[[Die Welt]]}}.<ref name="media" /> The largest magazines include {{lang|de|[[ADAC Motorwelt]]}} and {{lang|de|[[Der Spiegel]]}}.<ref name="media" /> Germany has [[Video gaming in Germany|a large video gaming market]], with over 34 million players nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-07-16-german-consumers-spent-4-4bn-on-video-games-in-2018|title=German consumers spent €4.4bn on video games in 2018|last=Batchelor|first=James|date=16 July 2019|website=GamesIndustry.biz|accessdate=15 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509014644/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-07-16-german-consumers-spent-4-4bn-on-video-games-in-2018|archivedate=9 May 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Filmstudio Babelsberg Eingang.jpg|thumb|[[Babelsberg Studio]] in [[Potsdam]] near Berlin, the world's first large-scale film studio]]
German cinema has made major technical and artistic contributions to film. The first works of the [[Max Skladanowsky|Skladanowsky Brothers]] were shown to an audience in 1895. The renowned [[Babelsberg Studio]] in [[Potsdam]] was established in 1912, thus being the first large-scale film studio in the world. Early German cinema was particularly influential with [[German expressionism|German expressionists]] such as [[Robert Wiene]] and [[Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau]]. Director [[Fritz Lang]]'s ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'' (1927) is referred to as the first major science-fiction film. After 1945, many of the films of the immediate post-war period can be characterised as {{lang|de|[[Rubble film|Trümmerfilm]]}} (rubble film). East German film was dominated by state-owned film studio [[DEFA (film studio)|DEFA]], while the dominant genre in West Germany was the {{lang|de|[[Heimatfilm]]}} ("homeland film").<ref>{{cite book|first=Stephen |last=Brockmann|title=A Critical History of German Film|url=https://archive.org/details/criticalhistoryg00broc |url-access=limited |publisher=Camden House|year= 2010|page= [https://archive.org/details/criticalhistoryg00broc/page/n296 286]|isbn=978-1-57113-468-4}}</ref> During the 1970s and 1980s, [[New German Cinema]] directors such as [[Volker Schlöndorff]], [[Werner Herzog]], [[Wim Wenders]], and [[Rainer Werner Fassbinder]] brought West German auteur cinema to critical acclaim.

The [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]] ("Oscar") went to the German production ''[[The Tin Drum (film)|The Tin Drum]]'' ({{lang|de|Die Blechtrommel}}) in 1979, to ''[[Nowhere in Africa]]'' ({{lang|de|Nirgendwo in Afrika}}) in 2002, and to ''[[The Lives of Others]]'' ({{lang|de|Das Leben der Anderen}}) in 2007. [[List of German-speaking Academy Award winners and nominees|Various Germans]] won an Oscar for their performances in other films. The annual [[European Film Award]]s ceremony is held every other year in Berlin, home of the [[European Film Academy]]. The [[Berlin International Film Festival]], known as "Berlinale", awarding the "[[Golden Bear]]" and held annually since 1951, is one of the world's leading [[film festival]]s. The "Lolas" are annually awarded in Berlin, at the [[Deutscher Filmpreis|German Film Awards]].<ref>{{cite book|page=331|title=Historical Dictionary of German Cinema|author1=Reimer, Robert |author2=Reimer, Carol|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2019|isbn=978-1-5381-1940-2}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===

{{Main|German cuisine}}

[[File:BavarianLunch.jpg|thumb|upright|Bavarian [[Bratwurst]] with mustard, a [[pretzel]] and [[Beer in Germany|beer]]]]

German cuisine varies from region to region and often neighbouring regions share some culinary similarities (e.g. the southern regions of [[Bavarian cuisine|Bavaria]] and [[Swabian cuisine|Swabia]] share some traditions with Switzerland and Austria). International varieties such as [[pizza]], [[sushi]], [[Chinese food]], [[Greek cuisine|Greek food]], [[Indian cuisine]] and [[doner kebab]] are also popular.

[[German cuisine#Bread|Bread]] is a significant part of German cuisine and German bakeries produce about 600 main types of bread and 1,200 types of pastries and rolls ({{lang|de|Brötchen}}).<ref>{{cite book|page=344|title=The World of Wine and Food: A Guide to Varieties, Tastes, History, and Pairings|last=Philpott|first=Don|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2016|isbn=978-1-4422-6804-3}}</ref> German [[List of German cheeses|cheeses]] account for about 22% of all cheese produced in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/EDN-20190119-1|website=Eurostat|title=Where does our cheese come from?|date=19 January 2019|accessdate=15 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204144839/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/EDN-20190119-1|archivedate=4 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012 over 99% of all meat produced in Germany was either pork, chicken or beef. Germans produce their ubiquitous sausages in almost 1,500 varieties, including [[Bratwurst]]s and [[Weisswurst]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/german-hams-sausages-meats-guide/ |title=Guide to German Hams and Sausages |publisher=German Foods North America |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322084957/http://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/german-hams-sausages-meats-guide/ |archivedate=22 March 2015 |accessdate=26 March 2015 }}</ref> The national alcoholic drink is [[Beer in Germany|beer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/In-depth-look-at-Germanys-national-drink--beer/videoshow/16419704.cms|work=Times of India|accessdate=29 September 2021|date=16 September 2012|title=In-depth look at Germany's national drink – beer|archivedate=30 September 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930021437/https://m.timesofindia.com/In-depth-look-at-Germanys-national-drink--beer/videoshow/16419704.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> German beer consumption per person stands at {{convert|110|litres|0}} in 2013 and remains among the [[List of countries by beer consumption per capita|highest in the world]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/top-10-heaviest-beer-drinking-countries-czech-republic-germany-sink-most-pints-1475764 |title=Top 10 Heaviest Beer-drinking Countries: Czech Republic and Germany Sink Most Pints |first=Samantha |last=Payne |date=20 November 2014 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513195740/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/top-10-heaviest-beer-drinking-countries-czech-republic-germany-sink-most-pints-1475764 |archivedate=13 May 2015 |work=International Business Times}}</ref> [[Reinheitsgebot|German beer purity regulations]] date back to the 16th century.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/492-years-of-good-beer-germans-toast-the-anniversary-of-their-beer-purity-law-a-549175.html |title=492 Years of Good Beer: Germans Toast the Anniversary of Their Beer Purity Law |date=23 April 2008 |work=Spiegel Online |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506121630/http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,549175,00.html |archivedate=6 May 2008}}</ref> [[German wine|Wine]] has become popular in many parts of the country, especially close to [[List of German wine regions|German wine regions]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.germanwineusa.com/press-trade/statistics.html |title=German Wine Statistics |publisher=Wines of Germany, Deutsches Weininstitut |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20141214121534/http://www.germanwineusa.com/press-trade/statistics.html |archivedate=14 December 2014 |accessdate=14 December 2014}}</ref> In 2019, Germany was the [[List of countries by wine production|ninth-largest wine producer]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/240638/wine-production-in-selected-countries-and-regions/|website=Statista|title=Wine production worldwide in 2019, by country (in million hectoliters)|accessdate=14 March 2021|archivedate=1 April 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210401002003/https://www.statista.com/statistics/240638/wine-production-in-selected-countries-and-regions/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 2018 [[Michelin Guide]] awarded eleven restaurants in Germany [[List of Michelin starred restaurants#Germany|three stars]], giving the country a cumulative total of 300 stars.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/germany-michelin-stars|website=Food and Wine|title=Germany Was Just Awarded Its 300th Michelin Star|last=Heller|first=Charlie|date=15 November 2017|accessdate=15 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228210645/http://www.foodandwine.com/news/germany-michelin-stars|archivedate=28 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Sports ===

{{Main|Sport in Germany}}

[[File:Germany champions 2014 FIFA World Cup.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Germany national football team|German national football team]] after winning the [[2014 FIFA World Cup|FIFA World Cup]] for the fourth time in 2014]]

[[Football in Germany|Football]] is the most popular sport in Germany. With more than 7&nbsp;million official members, the [[German Football Association]] (''Deutscher Fußball-Bund'') is the largest single-sport organisation worldwide,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/dfb-presidential-candidate-fritz-keller-promises-no-more-one-man-show/a-50119403|website=DW|title=DFB: presidential candidate Fritz Keller promises 'no more one-man show'|last=Schalling|first=Herbert|date=21 August 2019|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200329034515/https://www.dw.com/en/dfb-presidential-candidate-fritz-keller-promises-no-more-one-man-show/a-50119403|archivedate=29 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and the German top league, the [[Bundesliga]], attracts the second-highest [[List of attendance figures at domestic professional sports leagues|average attendance]] of all professional sports leagues in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/attendance-sports-leagues-world-2015-5|website=Business Insider|title=The NFL and Major League Baseball are the most attended sports leagues in the world|last=Gaines|first=Cork|date=22 May 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831191916/https://www.businessinsider.com/attendance-sports-leagues-world-2015-5|archivedate=31 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Germany national football team|German men's national football team]] won the [[FIFA World Cup]] in 1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/archive/|publisher=FIFA|title=FIFA World Cup Timeline|accessdate=7 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305190808/https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/archive/|archivedate=5 March 2020}}</ref> the [[UEFA European Championship]] in 1972, 1980 and 1996,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/index.html|publisher=UEFA|title=History|accessdate=7 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418050335/https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/index.html|archivedate=18 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[FIFA Confederations Cup]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/|publisher=FIFA|title=Confederations Cup|accessdate=7 March 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312140436/https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/|archivedate=12 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Germany is one of the leading [[Sport in Germany#Motorsport|motor sports]] countries in the world. Constructors like [[BMW]] and [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] are prominent manufacturers in motor sport. [[Porsche]] has won the [[24 Hours of Le Mans]] race 19 times, and [[Audi]] 13 times ({{As of|2017|lc=y}}).<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Damien|title=Porsche to make Le Mans 24 Hours return in 2023|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport-news/porsche-make-le-mans-24-hours-return-2023|work=Autocar|date=15 December 2020|accessdate=12 April 2021|archivedate=12 April 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412125853/https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport-news/porsche-make-le-mans-24-hours-return-2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The driver [[Michael Schumacher]] has set many motor sport records during his career, having won seven [[List of Formula One World Drivers' Champions|Formula One World Drivers' Championships]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/23/formulaone.sport |title=What we will miss about Michael Schumacher |last=Ornstein |first=David |date=23 October 2006 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108044532/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/oct/23/formulaone.sport |archivedate=8 January 2014 }}</ref> [[Sebastian Vettel]] is also among the most successful [[Formula One]] drivers of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/vettel-makes-formula-one-history-with-eighth-successive-victory-29761655.html |title=Vettel makes Formula One history with eighth successive victory |date=17 November 2013 |work=Irish Independent|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203024830/http://www.independent.ie/sport/vettel-makes-formula-one-history-with-eighth-successive-victory-29761655.html |archivedate=3 December 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Historically, [[Germany at the Olympics|German athletes]] have been successful contenders in the [[Olympic Games]], ranking third in an [[all-time Olympic Games medal count]] (when combining East and West German medals).<ref>{{cite book|page=99|title=Success and Failure of Countries at the Olympic Games|publisher=Routledge|last=Reiche|first=Danyel|year=2016|isbn=9781317632771}}</ref> In 1936 Berlin hosted the [[1936 Summer Olympics|Summer Games]] and the [[1936 Winter Olympics|Winter Games]] in [[Garmisch-Partenkirchen]]. [[Munich]] hosted the Summer Games of [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Large|first= David Clay|title=Nazi Games: The Olympics of 1936|url=https://archive.org/details/nazigamesolympic00larg|url-access=registration|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|year= 2007|isbn=978-0-393-05884-0|pages=136, 337}}</ref>{{sfn|Large|2007|p=337}}

== See also ==

{{Portal|Europe|Germany}}
* [[Index of Germany-related articles]]
* [[Outline of Germany]]{{-}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
* {{cite book|last=Fulbrook|first=Mary|year=1991|title=A Concise History of Germany|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-36836-0|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780521368360}}

== External links ==

{{Sister project links|Germany|collapsible=collapsed|voy=Germany}}
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* [http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/EN/Homepage/_node.html Official site of the Federal Government]
* [http://www.germany.travel/en/index.html Official tourism site]
* [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-17299607 Germany] from [[BBC News]]
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/germany/ Germany]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [https://data.oecd.org/germany.htm Germany] from the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development|OECD]]
* [https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/countries/member-countries/germany_en Germany] at the [[European Union|EU]]
* {{osmrelation-inline|51477}}

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