| 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
- 200,000 join Iran demonstration in Munichby The Local Germany on February 14, 2026
About 200,000 people joined a demonstration against the Iranian government in Munich on Saturday, police said, as world leaders gathered nearby for a security conference.
- Indian writer Roy pulls out of Berlin Film Festival amid Gaza rowby The Local Germany on February 14, 2026
Award-winning Indian writer Arundhati Roy said Friday she was withdrawing from the Berlin Film Festival over jury president Wim Wenders's comments that he wanted to "stay out of politics" after being asked about Gaza.
- Europe, UK seek closer ties a decade after Brexitby The Local Germany on February 14, 2026
Ten years after the referendum that led to Brexit, Britain and the European Union must close ranks in an increasingly unstable world, their leaders said on Saturday.
- Inside Germany: Global security, bushtucker trials and the perfect Fasching costumeby The Local Germany on February 14, 2026
From global security issues in Munich to ‘I’m a celebrity’s’ controversial winner and top tips on a last-minute Fasching costume, here's what we're talking about at The Local this week.
- German spy chief warns of Russian threat to local pollsby The Local Germany on February 14, 2026
Germany's foreign intelligence chief warned Friday that Russia is planning to target high-stakes regional elections this year with "hybrid" attacks, and called for Berlin to consider "counter-measures" against the growing threat.
- European debate over nuclear weapons gains paceby The Local Germany on February 14, 2026
European leaders, worried about threats from a nuclear-armed Russia and doubts about the future of US security commitments, are increasingly debating whether to bolster nuclear arsenals on the continent.
- LISTED: The most in-demand jobs in Germany in 2026by The Local Germany on February 13, 2026
Looking for a new role in Germany this year? Here are the professions growing in demand, and the regions where you'll find them.
- Germany's Merz urges US to repair ties with Europeby The Local Germany on February 13, 2026
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged Friday a rift had opened up between Europe and the United States but issued an appeal to Washington: "Let's repair and revive transatlantic trust together."
- Four stories that might explain Germany’s problem with Valentine’s Dayby The Local Germany on February 13, 2026
The most romantic day of the year or an out and out nightmare? We look at the stories which could explain why Germans don't typically embrace Valentine's Day – and why this trend might be changing among new generations.
- 'Less glamour, more content': Berlinale kicks off in German capitalby The Local Germany on February 13, 2026
Berlin Film Festival jury president Wim Wenders said this year's 76th edition of the festival would have "less glamour" but "more content" in its eclectic selection.
- 'Confusion': Why are some Brits in Germany struggling to get permanent residence?by The Local Germany on February 13, 2026
Brits who were in Germany before the Brexit cut-off date are facing hurdles trying to get their permanent residence documents. We look at what's going on across Germany.
- UPDATE: Flights resume at Cologne-Bonn airport after security incidentby The Local Germany on February 13, 2026
Passengers flying from Cologne-Bonn airport were facing disruption on Friday after flights were grounded due to a security incident that may have been connected to a technical issue.
- Germany's top regional food products and how to spot them in the supermarketby The Local Germany on February 12, 2026
From Parma ham to Champagne, Europe protects authentic food. Here's how Germany’s own food labels reward soil, climate and craft – and help shoppers spot real quality on supermarket shelves.
- 'China shock': Germany struggles as key market turns business rivalby The Local Germany on February 12, 2026
China was long a lucrative market for Germany Inc, but the Asian giant's rise in high-tech fields has put the heat on Europe's industrial powerhouse and its companies, big and small.
- 'Catastrophic effects': Why Germany is cutting integration courses for foreignersby The Local Germany on February 12, 2026
Germany has confirmed plans to restrict access to integration courses, citing rising costs and a desire to focus spending on migrants likely to stay long term. Around 130,000 people could be affected – and the consequences could go much further.
- 'You need patience': What it's like to get a residence permit in Germanyby The Local Germany on February 10, 2026
Long waits for appointments, burdensome bureaucracy and language barriers: applying for a residence permit can be a tricky business for foreigners in Germany. We asked readers to share their experience and their top tips.
- Everything you can borrow from a library in Germanyby The Local Germany on February 10, 2026
German libraries are a fabulous resource for anyone living in the country, offering not just books but everything from ice cream makers to umbrellas and even works of art to hang on your walls at home.
- How to watch the Six Nations Rugby in Germany in 2026by The Local Germany on February 5, 2026
It’s Six Nations season again. And this year it’s easier than ever to follow every scrum, tackle and try in Germany – even if most people in the country have still never heard of rugby.
- How many newly naturalised Germans have their citizenship revoked each year?by The Local Germany on January 26, 2026
German citizenship can only be revoked in very specific situations, but the number of revocations jumped significantly last year compared to recent years.
- Friday the 13th: Eight strange German superstitions you should knowby The Local Germany on December 13, 2019
It is Friday the 13th and, just like most countries, Germany has its own list of strange superstitions.






















