GERMANY-Hannah

= = = = = GERMANY = **Country Facts** Germany is located in North central Europe. It's about the size of our state, Montana. It is by far the most populated country in Europe, consisting of about 82 million people, and the offical capital of Germany is Berlin, which is populated by about 3.4 million people. The currency of Germany is the Euro, and their first language is German. However, many Germans have learned English as a second language. The chief agrucultural products of Germany are sugar, beets, barley, wheat, potatoes, apples, and livestock. But only about one percent of all Germans farm, as urban living is becoming more and more popular. The chief exports are iron, steel, motor vehicles, and plastic products. The area of Germany is 349,223 SQ KM, and its highest mountain is the //Zugspitze//. The national anthem of Germany is //Auferstanden aus Ruinen//, which means "Arisen from the Ruins."

Before the Berlin Wall was down, Germany was separated into two parts: East Germany and West Germany. East Germany was a communist country, and a majority of the people were not wealthy. Western Germany, on the other hand, was a democracy. People there enjoyed a high standard of living, and even now, with Germany as a whole once again, West Germans still typically live with high expectations.


 * Cultural Facts **

Family is the main area of German culture. Almost ninety percent of all Germans have 'family' on the top of there list of priorities, and a survey shows that Germans through ages 12 to 25 believe that having a close family is the main key to happiness. Most Germans come home from work during their lunch hour and eat together, and instead of children participating in many after-school activites, they will spend time with their parents and siblings.

The Germans are known for eating hearty meals. Many of them start the day with a breakfast of rolls with jam, butter, or chocolate-hazelnut spread. Breakfast also includes sliced meats, cheeses, and hard-boiled eggs. Lunch is the largest, main meal of the day. Lunch may include vegetables, potatoes, and meat. Dinners typically consist of bread, cheese, and fruit. Traditional German foods are spaetzle (a pasta egg dumpling dish), pretzels, bratwurst, sauerkraut, schitzel, and breaded meat cutlets.

Famous German composers are known around the world. Their tunes can be easily recognized in the backgrounds of plays, and movies. Ludwig van Beethoven, Joseph Hander, Bach, and Sebastian are just some of German's highly famous composers. Germany is also known for their folktales, such as the //Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,// and //Hansel and Gretel//. Germany is famous for their woodcutting art as well, particularly the woodcutter Durer.

Neuschwanstein is a castle in Germany that was built by the King of Bavoria, and is a well-known landmark.

October 3rd is the Day of Germany Unity, or //Tag der deutsche Einheit//. Germans join together on this day to celebrate the country's reunification. This annual event includes festivals, music, arts, crafts, dancing, and plenty of food.


 * Educational Facts **

The German educational system is extremely different from the American system, but it makes it possible for anyone to go to a University, regardless of their financial situation. Education in Germany is run by the states, but some national generalizations have been made. Germany is currently fighting to make the educational system more democratic, because they believe that their children's futures are decided too early. In fact, it's decided whether or not a child will go onto college right after they finish fourth grade.

After the fourth grade, German children are separated into three different schools: //Hauptschule, realschule,// or //gymnasium.//

Hauptschule is grades 5-9, and teaches the same subjects as realschule and gymnasium, except at a slower pace. This school also gives apprenticeship training until eighteen.

Realschule is the middle school, and teaches all basic subjects. It is a vocational school, and prepares students for future careers.

The gymnasium school teaches grades 5-13 and leads each student to a degree called //Abitur//. This school also prepares students for university. Most common fields of study are classical language, modern language, and mathematics and natural science. //Grunschule// (grade 1-4) teachers recommend their students to a school based on academic achievement, self-confidence, and ability to work independently.

Nine years of school are mandatory, and German students attend school in the morning. Lunches are not provided, and in most schools there are either very few or no after-school activities. No school in Germany is allowed to charge a tuition.


 * Social Facts **

The life expectancy is 77 for men, and 82 for women. The birth rates are low, and because of this there are more elderly people in Germany than there are youthful.

Cornelia Funke is a famous bestselling author from Germany. She is most famous for her book //Inkheart//, which has been made into a movie in the United States. One of the most popular music groups from Germany is the metal band, Rammstein. They are the only band from Germany that is known internationally. I even have several of their songs on my MP3.

Just like in America, people in Germany have religious freedom. Thirty-eight percent of all Germans are Protestant, and thirty-four percent are Roman Catholic. Twenty-eight percent are atheistic, and four percent are Muslim. However, the number of Muslim Germans are increasing yearly.

Germany is a fairly safe country. Some mild violence has been recently targeted toward foreign guest workers, especially non-Europeans. The violence comes only from small, right-wing groups, and is looked down upon by most Germans.

Eighty-eight percent of all Germans are covered by national health insurance, nine percent have private insurance, and two percent are given free government care insurance (this is for people such as police, soldiers, etc.). Less than one percent of the country doesn't have health insurance.

Soccer is the national sport, and many people play it just for fun. There is a swimming pool (//schwimmbad//) offered in nearly every community, and the German Sports Federation (//Deutscher Sportbund//) sponsers physical programs. There are 120 opera houses in all of Germany, and over 140 professional orchestras.

There are many political groups in Germany. Some of the major parties are the Union, Christian Social Union, Social, Democratic Party, Free Democratic, and the Party of Democratic Socialism.

To learn more, go [|here]

**Bibliography**    Bailey, Ellen. __Germany__. Great Neck: Great Neck Publishing, 2007. <span style="display: block; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 70%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Lucida Console', Monaco, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"> "<span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Lucida Console', Monaco, monospace;">German Schools." __How to Germany__. 11 Jan. 2009 <howtogermany.com/pages/germanyschools>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 70%; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black', Gadget, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Lucida Console', Monaco, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Lucida Console', Monaco, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 140%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Lucida Console', Monaco, monospace;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 150%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salas, Laura. __Germany__. Mankato, Minn: Bridgestone Books, 2001. The New Book of Knowledge <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">

<span style="display: block; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; text-align: left;">** <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What's Similar, What's Different? **

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Germany is a very different country from the United States, but of course they have some things in common. In both countries, English is a common language. Germans often listen to American music, and read our same books. Also, American people often do business with Germans. They also have similiar environmental, educational, and obesity issues.

But in Germany, family is much more important to the people living there. Education is more valued in Germany, and children have less of a say in their futures. There are also basic differences in economy, history, and traditions. Altogether, though, both countries are generally wealthy and productive.