General Information
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State
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Germany is a federal republic of sixteen states (Bundesländer). It has been a parliamentary federal democracy since 1949.
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Population
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82.5 million
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Population density
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231/km2 (Australia's population density is 2.6/Km2)
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Capital City
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Berlin
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GDP
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GDP 2.16 trillion EURO (2006), Per capita GDP 26,856 EURO, Export volume 900 billion EURO (2006)
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Currency
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Euro
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Time Zone
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CET/CEST ( Relative to Australia: summer -8 hours, winter -10 hours)
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Political System
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State Structure
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Germany is a federation consisting of 16 states. Each of the states has its own constitution, parliament and government.
Although the federal government has the highest authority, the states are represented at federal level and take part in legislation through an agency called the The Bundesrat.
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Political Parties
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German Social Democratic Party (SPD), German Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), Bündnis90/Die Grünen (The Greens), Free Democratic Party (FDP), Die Linkspartei (PDS)
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Legal system
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The German constitution contains safeguards to ensure that the democracy does not become overly fragmented or authoritarian, as has happened in the past.
The Basic Law guarantees every individual citizen its human rights, based on the principle of a division of powers and lawful administration.
All bodies of the state are subject to the Basic Law and any amendments to it must be supported by at least 2/3 of the Bundestag (Federal Diet or Lower House) and the Bundesrat (Federal Council or Upper House).
The Basic Law is enforced by The Federal Constitutional Court.
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Germany in the World
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Germany is involved with both European and International nations who work for democracy, human rights and peace.
It is a founding member of the European Union (EU).
It is a full member state of the United Nations (UN) contributing close to 10% of of the regular UN budget.
It is also a member of the NATO defence alliance, the G8 and the G4 nations, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation (OECD), the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
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Economy
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Germany is one of the most highly developed industrial nations in the world and has the third largest national economy, after the USA and Japan.
It is the world's largest exporter of goods, and the second largest importer of goods.
With a population of over 82 million, Germany is the largest and most important market in the European Union for countries worldwide to trade with.
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Export
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With an export volume of EUR 900 billion Germany is the largest exporter of goods worldwide, and can be considered to be the “export world champion”. Key trading partners are France, Great Britain, USA and Italy.
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Key Sectors
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Automotive: mechanical, electrical and precision engineering, Aerospace, Bio Technology, Building and Construction, Chemicals, Environmental Technology, Information Technology and Telecommunications, Logistics, Manufacturing, Mining, Medical Technology, Nano Technology and Optics.
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Infrastructure
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Germany has a highly developed infrastructure that is growing dynamically.
It has one of the most modern phone and communications networks in the world.
Its rail network covers 36,000 km, the road network 230,000 km.
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Trade Fairs
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Germany enjoys around 140 international Trade Fairs a year. This represents 66% of the world's key Trade Fairs.
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Structure
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The German economy includes numerous global companies, but also a large number of world market leaders who are small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
These number in the tens of thousands and are the power-house of the German economy. With over 70% of all employees working for small to medium-sized enterprises, they are Germany’s biggest employer.
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Patents
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Germany is number one in Europe for patent registrations, with 157,000. Germany is among the world's three most innovative countries, along with Japan and the USA.
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Social System
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Social Security
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Germany has a comprehensive network of systems for social security covering health, healthcare, unemployment insurance and pensions.
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Health
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Nearly all of Germany's inhabitants have health insurance. The majority rely on statutory cover, with a smaller number acquiring private insurance schemes.
Around 11% of Germany's GDP is spent on health which is well above the average of 8.6% (Organisation of Economic Co-Operation).
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Society
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Germany is a modern, open-minded society. Most people are well-educated and enjoy a high standard of living, as well as sufficient freedom to plan their lives as they wish.
Society is shaped by a variety of life styles, with a great deal of ethnic and cultural diversity.
Despite traditional gender roles being largely dispensed with, the family remains important and young people still have very close bonds to their parents.
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Highly Valued by Germans
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Freedom of speech, rule of law, accuracy, diligence, high quality standards, high performance, reliability, precision.
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German Virtues
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Competency, efficiency, honesty, industriousness, modesty, orderliness, punctuality, reliability, sincerity, thoroughness.
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Culture
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Germany's federal structure enables the country to enjoy many different cultural institutions and a vibrant cultural scene.
The capital Berlin boasts over 50 theatres and 3 opera houses, and is home to many young artists, both local and international.
Throughout history, German writers, composers and philosophers have influenced lives of people across the world. They include Bach, Beethoven, Kant, Goethe and Schiller.
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Beer
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The European Parliament recognises beer from Germany as being a ‘traditional foodstuff’, a label awarded to very few forms of nourishment.
This is thanks to the famous Purity Law, which was introduced in1516 and is the world’s oldest Consumer protection legislation.
It only allows the use of certain natural ingredients in beer, those being hops, malt, water and yeast.
This rule applies today and is enjoyed the world over.
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