Area Total | 357,022 sq km |
Climate | temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm mountain (foehn) wind |
Natural Resources | coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable land |
Imports | Netherlands 13.8%, China 7%, France 6.6%, Belgium 5.9%, Italy 5.4%, Poland 5.4%, Czechia 4.8%, US 4.5%, Austria 4.3%, Switzerland 4.2% (2017) – machinery, data processing equipment, vehicles, chemicals, oil and gas, metals, electric equipment, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, agricultural products |
Government | federal parliamentary republic |
Capital | Berlin |
Population | 80.6 million (July 2017 est.) |
Ethnicity | German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Polish, Italian, Romanian, Syrian, and Greek) |
Language | German (official) note: Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romani are official minority languages; |
Exports | US 8.8%, France 8.2%, China 6.8%, Netherlands 6.7%, UK 6.6%, Italy 5.1%, Austria 4.9%, Poland 4.7%, Switzerland 4.2% (2017) – motor vehicles, machinery, chemicals, computer and electronic products, electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, metals, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, rubber and plastic products |
News about Germany
- Poland to impose checks on German border to stop irregular migrantsby The Local Germany on July 1, 2025
Poland announced temporary checks at the German borders to start next week to reduce the flow of migrants 'back and fourth'.
- Six of the most charming Bavarian towns to visit this summerby The Local Germany on July 1, 2025
If you are looking for places to visit in the German state of Bavaria this summer, here are six of the most beautiful towns and villages to put on your list.
- Heatwave rules: Who decides when it's too hot for school in Germany?by The Local Germany on July 1, 2025
As temperatures climb higher across Germany this week, we look at whether children will be sent home from school.
- What international students should know about scholarships in Germanyby The Local Germany on July 1, 2025
International students can find nearly nearly free tuition at world-class public universities in Germany, but high living costs mean that many depend on financial support. Here's a guide to the main options for academic scholarships.
- German word of the day: Badeseeby The Local Germany on July 1, 2025
With temperatures climbing into the 30s this week, swimming might be on your mind. Here’s one classic German way to cool off.
- Germany and Denmark announce navy patrol in Arcticby The Local Germany on July 1, 2025
Germany's defence minister has stated the country will send navy ships to patrol Arctic waters, citing the threat from a Russian military build-up in the region.
- Today in Germany: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesdayby The Local Germany on July 1, 2025
Merkel slams asylum rejections, railways miss punctuality targets for first half of 2025, and more news from Germany on Tuesday.
- German inflation slows unexpectedly, as ECB mulls rate pauseby The Local Germany on June 30, 2025
German inflation unexpectedly slowed in June to its lowest level for eight months, data showed on Monday, as the European Central Bank mulls whether to pause its interest rate-cutting cycle.
- EXPLAINED: Germany's rules for working during heatwavesby The Local Germany on June 30, 2025
With temperatures in the 30s expected in Germany this week, you might be wondering how hot is too hot to go to work or even to work from home? Here’s what workers should know.
- The official German advice for how to stay safe in a heatwaveby The Local Germany on June 30, 2025
With a heatwave gripping Germany and forecasters suggesting the country could see record temperatures this week, health authorities have official advice on how to stay safe.
- LATEST: Extreme heat warnings issued for most of Germanyby The Local Germany on June 30, 2025
A persistent heat dome over Europe could see temperatures hit record-highs in Germany this week – with potentially serious consequences.
- How you can watch the women's Euro 2025 tournament on German TVby The Local Germany on June 30, 2025
The women's Euro 2025 football tournament kicks off in Switzerland on July Wednesday July 2nd. Here's how you can follow the action on German TV.
- How securing rights through citizenship has become 'increasingly fragile'by The Local Germany on June 28, 2025
Naturalisation has often been seen as the best way to secure the right to live in a country and to be able return any time, but this notion is becoming “increasingly fragile”, a new report reveals.
- 'System feels unfair': The struggle of getting German citizenship as a freelancerby The Local Germany on June 27, 2025
Freelancers in Germany qualify for German citizenship under the same rules as ordinary foreign workers with job contracts, but applicants say they face additional costs and hurdles.
- RANKED: The best urban beaches in cities around Germanyby The Local Germany on June 26, 2025
Stuck in the city with the temperature rising? Here’s our list of the best city beaches to visit in Germany this summer.
- EXPLAINED: How Berlin's vote to make the capital car-free will workby The Local Germany on June 26, 2025
Berlin’s constitutional court has just given the green light for a "People’s Referendum" on outlawing cars from the city centre. How will the vote work and who can cast a ballot?
- What's on in Germany: Ten unmissable events this Julyby The Local Germany on June 24, 2025
July kicks off the summer festival season in Germany and offers plenty of excuses to make the most of the sunny weather. From elegant wine festivals to wild street parties, here are 10 events you definitely shouldn't miss.
- Everything that changes in Germany in July 2025by The Local Germany on June 19, 2025
From an end to visa appeals and printed photos for ID cards to a rise in pensions and DHL prices, here are the key changes to know about in Germany this July.
- EXPLAINED: The best apps to help you track your German taxesby The Local Germany on May 7, 2024
Like much of the country's bureaucracy, German tax law is complicated. But there are plenty of useful deductions for those in the know. Here are a few apps that might help you stay ahead of it.
- 10 essential German words you'll need to know this summerby The Local Germany on June 7, 2022
Summer has arrived in Germany, so we’ve put together a list of ten words to help you navigate the hottest season.