World map divided by countries Germany

Author: Zhou Min, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Time: 2002-01-01
Features: The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic merged in 1990, unifying into one nation. The unified Germany covers an area of approximately 351,800 square kilometers, with a population of 81.8 million. The majority ethnic group is German, with German as the official language. The population primarily adheres to Christianity and Catholicism, and the new capital is Berlin. Major cities include Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, Essen, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, and Bremen.
Geography: Germany is located in the central part of Europe, with a north-south straight-line distance of 876 kilometers and an east-west distance of 640 kilometers. The total length of its borders is 3,758 kilometers. The terrain of Germany can be divided into five distinct regions: the North German Plain, the Central Uplands, the Southwest Central Uplands, the Southern Alpine Foothills, and the Bavarian Alps.
Climate: Germany lies in the cool westerly belt between the Atlantic Ocean and the continental climate of the eastern part of the country, where temperature fluctuations are rare. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year. In summer, the average temperature in the North German Plain is around 18°C, while in the southern mountains, it is around 20°C. In winter, the average temperature in the North German Plain is about 1.5°C, whereas in the southern mountains, it drops to around -6°C.
History: The emergence of the German people was a process that spanned many centuries. It is generally believed that German history began in 919 AD. That year, Henry I, Duke of Saxony, ascended to the throne of East Francia, establishing the German Kingdom. After his son Otto I took the throne, he forced Pope John X to crown him as the "Holy Roman Emperor" in Rome in 962 AD, claiming the "Imperial Majesty Granted by God." The German Kingdom thus became the "Sacred Roman Empire of the German Nation," historically known as the Empire. The Holy Roman Empire was never a centralized, unified state. As local feudal powers grew stronger, the power of the emperors declined, leading to the formation of numerous principalities. Among these fragmented states, the two largest were Prussia and Austria. In the 17th-18th centuries, both became powerful nations on the European continent. In the early 19th century, when Napoleon occupied Germany, he abolished the title of Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation, and the defunct Holy Roman Empire ceased to exist. In the second half of the 19th century, Prussia achieved the unification of Germany under its control through three wars. After the war with Denmark in 1864, Prussia and Austria forced Denmark to cede the Schleswig-Holstein region. In the war between Prussia and Austria in 1866, Austria was defeated and was forced to withdraw from the German Confederation. Following the dissolution of the German Confederation, the North German Confederation, dominated by Prussia and including all states north of the Main River, was established. In 1870, Prussia defeated France in the Franco-Prussian War. On January 18, 1871, King Wilhelm I of Prussia was crowned as the German Emperor in the Palace of Versailles, marking the Second Empire. The World War I, which broke out in 1914, ended with Germany's defeat and the dissolution of the German Empire. The war also led to Germany establishing the Weimar Republic, a federal republic. On January 30, 1933, Hitler established fascist autocratic rule, signaling the end of the Weimar Republic. This Nazi Germany, ruled by Hitler, was known as the Third Reich. In March 1939, fascist German troops entered Czechoslovakia; on September 1, 1939, German troops invaded Poland, launching the European war. On May 8, 1945, Germany signed the Instrument of Surrender. After World War II, the victorious allies occupied Germany. The Western occupation forces established a government in West Germany, known as the Federal Republic of Germany. Shortly after, the Soviet Union established a German government in its occupied zone, the German Democratic Republic. In 1989, significant changes occurred in East Germany, and on October 3, 1990, the two German states reunified, remaining as the Federal Republic of Germany.
Tourist Attractions: Germany is a charming tourist destination, offering a rare wealth of diverse cities and landscapes worth exploring. It attracts people to discover its long and rich history and various forms of modern life. Fascinating tourist destinations are abundant. Along the coasts and islands of the North and Baltic Seas, the maritime climate is mild and pleasant. The lake-rich plains of Holstein and Mecklenburg are unforgettable. The medium mountain regions and the Alps are popular destinations for hiking enthusiasts. The valleys of the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Neckar, Danube, Elbe, and Saale rivers are filled with romance. More than 100 tourist routes, such as the "German Fairy Tale Road," "Romantic Road," or "German Wine Road," reveal ancient cultural landscapes, bringing visitors closer to natural scenery, picturesque old cities, and villages.
Education System: Germany has approximately 300 higher education institutions, most of which accept international students, including about 90 public universities. The structure of higher education institutions in Germany is as follows:
(1) Universities: Universities are not only teaching centers but also independent centers for basic theoretical and applied research. They are typically authorized to confer Bachelor of Arts (Magister Artium), Bachelor of Science (Diplom), and doctoral degrees. The programs offered by universities usually include medicine, natural sciences, engineering, humanities, law, theology, economics, social sciences, agriculture, and forestry. Universities emphasize "pure science," aiming to cultivate students with scientific knowledge and qualities.
(2) Technical Universities: Teaching and research in technical universities primarily focus on industry. However, over the years, technical universities have also developed into comprehensive institutions. For example, at the Technical University of Berlin, students can study classical philosophy, music, and education; at the Technical University of Dresden, they can study philosophy, psychology, and economics. Of course, the main focus of technical universities remains on engineering and natural sciences.
(3) Teacher Training Colleges: These institutions primarily train teachers for primary and lower secondary schools, while some also train teachers for higher secondary levels. Currently, only a few states still have independent teacher training colleges, while most states merged their teacher training colleges with universities in the 1970s.
(4) Comprehensive Universities: Comprehensive universities are developed from the integration of comprehensive universities, teacher training colleges, and colleges of higher education (sometimes including art academies). As a result, comprehensive universities offer students broader learning opportunities.
Other higher education institutions include the Medical and Veterinary College in Hannover, the Medical College in Lübeck, the German Sport University in Cologne, and the Management College in Speyer.
Non-public universities, whose funding primarily comes from non-governmental sources, such as some church-affiliated schools. There are also a few private universities, with programs focusing on economics and medicine. However, they typically charge tuition fees.
The degree system is as follows:
- Bachelor of Science (Diplom): Graduates from universities in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and economics are awarded the Diplom degree. The Diplom generally requires studying in a subject area for 8 semesters and meeting specific academic requirements. To earn the Diplom degree, students must write an in-depth, independent thesis (Diplomarbeit) and pass corresponding written and oral examinations.
- Bachelor of Arts (Magister Artium): Graduates from universities in the humanities, which may also include some social sciences, are typically awarded the Magister Artium degree. Compared to the Diplom examination, the Magister Artium examination usually includes two main subjects or one main subject and two subsidiary subjects. The requirements may vary depending on the subject and university but generally involve writing a thesis and passing oral examinations.
- Doctorate: In principle, any major at a German university can admit doctoral students. The eligibility of doctoral students depends on outstanding university performance. Students who have obtained degrees outside Germany may be qualified to pursue a doctorate, but this is usually determined by the university's faculty or department. Additionally, you must find a professor willing to supervise your studies (known in German as the "Doktorvater"). The doctoral supervisor may assign a topic for the doctoral thesis or accept a topic proposed by the student. Pursuing a doctorate in Germany generally involves active participation in research. Beyond writing the doctoral thesis, doctoral students typically attend doctoral colloquiums (Doktorandenkolloquien), where they discuss and exchange research progress with other doctoral students. To earn a doctorate, students must submit their doctoral thesis and pass oral examinations in the main subject and relevant subsidiary subjects.
Living Culture: German residential facilities are advanced, spacious, and elegant, earning the international reputation of "Eating in China, Wearing in France, Living in Germany." Germany has a developed industry, and its products, such as cars, are renowned for their high quality. German Carnival is distinctive for its length and richness in content. Every year, people celebrate a one-week carnival starting from the second Thursday in February. During the festival, people do as they please, perform the "ceremony of women's rule," hand over the city keys to the "foolish assembly," hold parades, and attend grand masquerade balls. The Munich Beer Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, both held from the last week of September to the first week of October, are international events.
When Germans give gifts, they focus more on the presentation of the gift than the contents inside. Since roses symbolize romantic love and are typically reserved for lovers, people never casually give flowers as gifts. Germans place great importance on titles, academic degrees, and qualifications when addressing others. When conversing with Germans, avoid discussing baseball, basketball, or American football, but instead, talk about German landscapes, personal hobbies, or sports like football. According to German customs, birthdays should not be celebrated in advance.
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