German map (Chinese and foreign comparison)

Author: Zhou Min, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-01-01
Features: The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic merged in 1990, marking the reunification of Germany. The reunified Germany covers an area of approximately 351,000 square kilometers, with a population of 81.8 million. The majority ethnic group is German, and the official language is German. Most residents are Christian or Catholic. 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 distance of 876 kilometers and an east-west distance of 640 kilometers. The total length of its border is 3,758 kilometers. The topography of Germany can be divided into five distinct regions: the North German Plain, the Central Uplands, the Southwest Central Uplands, the Southern Alpine Foreland, and the Bavarian Alps.
Climate: Germany lies in the cool westerly belt between the Atlantic Ocean and the continental climate, with rarely extreme temperature fluctuations. 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 around 1.5°C, whereas in the southern mountains, it drops to about -6°C.
History: The emergence of the Germanic 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. His son, Otto I, inherited the throne and, in 962 AD, forced Pope John X to crown him in Rome as the "Holy Roman Emperor," renaming the German Kingdom the "Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation," known historically 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. In this fragmented empire, the two largest principalities were Prussia and Austria. Both became powerful nations on the European continent during the 17th and 18th centuries. In the early 19th century, when Napoleon occupied Germany, he abolished the title of Holy Roman Emperor, and the Holy Roman Empire, which had become, ceased to exist.
In the second half of the 19th century, Prussia achieved German unification under its control through three wars of unification. After the 1864 war with Denmark, Prussia and Austria forced Denmark to cede the regions of Schleswig-Holstein. In the 1866 war between Prussia and Austria, Austria was defeated and was forced to withdraw from the German Confederation. Following the dissolution of the German Confederation, the North German Confederation, led by Prussia and including all states north of the Main River, was established. In the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, Prussia defeated France. On January 18, 1871, King Wilhelm I of Prussia was crowned German Emperor in the Palace of Versailles, marking the "Second Empire." The First World War, which broke out in 1914, ended with Germany's defeat and the dissolution of the German Empire. The war also led to Germany's first establishment of a federal republic, known as the "Weimar Republic." On January 30, 1933, Hitler established fascist authoritarian rule, marking the end of the Weimar Republic. This fascist Germany under Hitler was known as the "Third Reich." On March 15, 1939, fascist German troops entered Czechoslovakia; on September 1, 1939, German forces invaded Poland, launching the European war. On May 8, 1945, Germany signed the instrument of surrender.
After the end of the Second World War, the victorious Allied powers occupied Germany. The Western occupation forces established a West German government, known as the Federal Republic of Germany. Soon after, the Soviet Union established a German government in its occupied zone, known as the German Democratic Republic. In 1989, major changes occurred in East Germany, and on October 3, 1990, the reunification of the two Germanys was achieved, still known as the Federal Republic of Germany.
Tourist Attractions: Germany is a fascinating travel destination. It offers travelers a rare and rich variety of cities and landscapes worth visiting, attracting people to explore its long and rich history as well as the diverse forms of modern life. There are countless appealing tourist destinations. Along the coasts and islands of the North and Baltic Seas, the maritime climate is mild and pleasant. The lakeside plains of Holstein and Mecklenburg are unforgettable. The Central Uplands and the Alps are popular destinations for hikers. The valleys of the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Neckar, Danube, Elbe, and Saale rivers are filled with romance. There are over 100 tourist routes, such as the "German Fairy Tale Road," the "Romantic Road," or the "German Wine Road," which reveal ancient cultural landscapes and bring 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 is as follows:
(1) Universities: Universities are not only centers of teaching but also independent research centers for fundamental theoretical and applied research. They are typically authorized to award Bachelor's degrees in Arts and Science, as well as Doctoral degrees. The programs offered 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 concepts and qualities.
(2) Technical Universities: Teaching and research are primarily focused 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, students can study philosophy, psychology, and economics. Of course, the focus of technical universities remains primarily 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 schools. Currently, only a few states still have independent teacher training colleges, while most have merged them into universities since the 1970s.
(4) Comprehensive Universities: Comprehensive universities have evolved from the integration of comprehensive universities, teacher training colleges, and higher vocational colleges (sometimes including art colleges). As a result, they provide students with broader learning opportunities. Other higher education institutions include the Medical and Veterinary College in Hannover, the Medical University in Lübeck, the German Sport University in Cologne, and the Management College in Speyer.
Non-public Universities: These universities primarily rely on non-governmental funding, such as some church-affiliated schools. There are also a few private universities, with a focus on economics and medicine. However, they typically charge tuition fees.
Degree System:
- Diplom (Bachelor of Science): University graduates in natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and economics are awarded a Diplom. The Diplom generally requires eight semesters of study in a specific field and meeting certain academic requirements. To obtain a Diplom, students must write an in-depth, independent thesis (Diplomarbeit) and pass corresponding written and oral examinations.
- Magister Artium (Bachelor of Arts): University graduates in humanities (and sometimes social sciences) are typically awarded a Magister Artium. Compared to the Diplom examination, the Magister examination includes two main subjects or one main subject and two subsidiary subjects. The requirements vary by discipline and university but generally require a thesis and an oral examination.
- Doctorate (Ph.D.): In principle, any major at a German university can admit doctoral students. Eligibility depends on excellent university performance. Students who have obtained degrees outside Germany may be eligible for a Ph.D. depending on the university's faculty or department. Additionally, you must find a professor willing to supervise your studies (known as the Doktorvater in German). The doctoral supervisor may assign a topic for your dissertation or accept one you propose. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Germany generally involves active participation in research, in addition to writing the dissertation. Besides the dissertation, doctoral students typically attend Doktorandenkolloquien (Ph.D. seminars) to discuss and exchange research progress with other doctoral students. To obtain a Ph.D., students must submit their dissertation and pass oral examinations in the main subject and related subsidiary subjects.
Lifestyle and Culture: German homes are equipped with advanced facilities, spacious, and elegant, earning them the international reputation of "eating in China, wearing in France, and living in Germany." Germany has a highly developed industry, and its products, such as cars, are renowned for their quality. The German Carnival is famous for its long duration and rich content. Every year, people celebrate it for a week, starting from the second Thursday in February. During the festival, people do as they please, perform the "crowning of women," hand over the city keys to the "foolish assembly," hold costume parades, and attend grand masquerade balls. The annual Oktoberfest in Munich from the last week of September to the first week of October and the Berlin Film Festival are international events.
When giving gifts in Germany, people place greater emphasis on the presentation of the gift rather than its contents. Since roses symbolize romantic love and are reserved for lovers, people never give fresh flowers as gifts casually. Germans place great importance on titles, academic degrees, and qualifications when addressing others. When conversing with Germans, avoid discussing baseball, basketball, or American football, and instead, talk about German landscapes, personal hobbies, or sports like football.
According to German customs, birthdays should not be celebrated in advance.