Germany
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/germany/
Germany wears its riches well: elegant big-city charm,
picture-postcard small towns, pagan-inspired harvest festivals, a
wealth of art and culture and the perennial pleasures of huge tracts
of forest, delightful castles and fine wine and beer are all there for
the enjoying. Germany's reunification in 1990 was the beginning of yet
another chapter in Germany's complex history. No visitor will remain
untouched by this country's past and the way it affects the nation
today.
Full country name: Federal Republic of Germany
Area: 357,030 sq km
Population: 82 million
Capital city: Berlin (pop: 3.45 million)
People: Predominantly Caucasian, with significant Turkish
minority. Germany has absorbed most of the refugees from the former
Yugoslavia.
Language: German
Religion: 90% Christian, about 1.7 million Muslims
Government: Federal republic
Chancellor: Gerhard Schröder
GDP: US$2,040 billion
GDP per head: US$24,900
Annual growth: 2.7%
Inflation: 1%
Major industries: motor vehicles, engineering, chemicals, iron,
steel, coal, electronics, environmental technology, food, clothing
Major trading partners: European Union (esp. France,
Netherlands, Italy, UK, Belgium/Luxembourg, ), USA, Japan
Member of EU: yes
Euro zone participant: yes
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