Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany is a country in Central and Western Europe. Covering an area of 357,022 square kilometres, it lies between the Baltic and North seas to the north, and the Alps to the south. It borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west.
1. One-third of Germany is still covered in forests and woodlands.
2. 65% of the highways in Germany have no speed limit.
3. University is free for everyone (even non-Germans).
4. There are over 2100 castles in Germany.
5. There are over 1,500 different beers in Germany.
6. Germany is the seventh-largest country in Europe.
7. Berlin has the largest train station in Europe.
8. Berlin is 9 times bigger than Paris and has more bridges than Venice.
9. Germany is composed of sixteen states. The states have their own constitution and are largely autonomous in regard to their internal organization.
10. Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
11. Germany is the EU’s largest economy. It lies fourth place in the world behind the US, China and Japan.
12. Germany is one of the world’s largest car producers. Selling 5.9 million cars in 2011. VW’s Golf is one of the best selling cars of all time.
13. The first printed book was in German.
14. Germany is one of the world’s leading book nations. Publishing around 94,000 titles every year.
15. The first magazine ever seen was launched in 1663 in Germany.
16.Germany was the first country in the world to adopt Daylight saving time – DST, also known as summer time. This occured in 1916, in the midst of WWI.
17. German is the most widely taught third language across the world.
18. German remains the language with the most native speakers in Europe.
19. Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein have German as the official language.
20. There are thirty-five dialects of the German language.
21. There are over 300 different kinds of bread in Germany.
22. There are over 1,000 kinds of sausages in Germany.
23. Beer is considered a food in Bavaria officially.
24. Smoking is banned in public places but drinking alcohol is still legal.
25. After the Irish, the Germans are those consume the most beer, making Germany the second largest consumer of Beer.
26. The Christmas tree tradition came from Germany.
27. Germany has over 400 zoos, the most in the world.
28. Most taxis in Germany are Mercedes.
