Germany

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland) is a country in Western and Central Europe. It covers an area of 357, 021 square kilometers and ahs a largely temperate seasonal climate. With 81,8 million inhabitants, it is the most populous member state of the European Union, and home to the third-largest number of international migrants worldwide.

Germany is a federal parliamentary republic of sixteen states. The capital and largest city is Berlin. It has the world’s fourth largest economy by nominal GDP and the fifth largest by purchasing power parity. It is the second largest exporter and third largest importer of goods. The country has developed a very high standard of living and a comprehensive system of social security.

Germany is bordering Denmark in the north, Poland and the Czech Republic in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France and Luxembourg in the south-west and Belgium and the Netherlands in the north-west. It is the seventh largest country by area in Europe and the 62 largest in the world.

Most of Germany has a temperate seasonal climate in which humid westerly winds predominate. Winters are mild and summers tend to be cool, though temperatures can exceed 30°C (86°F). The east of Germany has a more continental climate; winters can be very cold and summers very warm, and long dry periods are frequent. Central and southern Germany are transition regions which vary from moderately oceanic to continental.

Germany is known for its environmental consciousness. The state is committed to the Kyoto Protocol and several other treaties promoting biodiversity, low emission standards, recycling and the use of renewable energy, and supports sustainable development at a global level.

German is the official and predominant spoken language in Germany. It is one of 23 official languages in the European Union, and one of the three working language of the European Commissions. Recognized native minority languages in Germany are Danish, Sorbian, Romany and Frisian. The most used immigrant languages are Turkish, Kurdish, Polish, the Balkan languages and Russian. 67 percent of German citizens claim to be able to communicate in at least one foreign language.