Germany Details

Germany is a country in west-central Europe, that stretches from the Alps, across the North European Plain to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Germany has the second largest population in Europe (after the European part of Russia) and is seventh largest in area. The territory of Germany covers 357,021 km2 (137,847 sq mi), consisting of 349,223 km2 (134,836 sq mi) of land and 7,798 km2 (3,011 sq mi) of waters. Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Alps (highest point: the Zugspitze at 2,962 metres (9,718 ft)) in the south to the shores of the North Sea (Nordsee) in the northwest and the Baltic Sea (Ostsee) in the northeast. Between lie the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: Neuendorf-Sachsenbande at 3.54 metres (11.6 ft) below sea level), traversed by some of Europe's major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.[1]Germany shares borders with nine European countries, second only to Russia: Denmark in the north, Poland and the Czech Republic in the east, Switzerland (its only non-EU neighbor) and Austria in the south, France in the southwest and Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in the west.1 Area1.1 Extreme points1.2 Maritime claims2 Physical Geography2.1 Climate2.2 Land use2.3 Rivers2.4 Caves2.5 Natural resources3 Environment3.1 Flora and fauna4 Human Geography4.1 Demographics4.2 Administrative divisions4.3 Urbanization5 See also6 References7 External linksArea[edit]Germany is in Western and Central Europe, bordering Denmark in the north Poland and the Czech Republic in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France and Luxembourg in the south-west, and Belgium and the Netherlands in the north-west. It lies mostly between latitudes 47 and 55 N (the tip of Sylt is just north of 55), and longitudes 5 and 16 E. The territory covers 357,021 km2 (137,847 sq mi), consisting of 349,223 km2 (134,836 sq mi) of land and 7,798 km2 (3,011 sq mi) of water. It is the seventh largest country by area in Europe and the 63rd largest in the world.[1] Extreme points[edit] Zugspitze is the highest elevation in Germanynorthernmost point: List, Sylt, Schleswig-Holstein 5503N 824Enorthernmost point in mainland Germany: Aventoft, Schleswig-Holstein 5454N 849Esouthernmost point: Haldenwanger Eck, Oberstdorf, Bavaria 471612.39N 101041.95Ewesternmost point: Isenbruch, Selfkant, North Rhine-Westphalia 513N 552Eeasternmost point: Deschka, Neieaue, Saxony 5116N 152Elowest point (man-made): Tagebau Hambach 293 m (961 ft) below sea level, Niederzier, North Rhine-Westphalia, 505439N 63010Elowest point (natural): Neuendorf-Sachsenbande, Wilstermarsch, Schleswig-Holstein 3.53 m (11.6 ft) below sea level 535748N 9195Ehighest point: Zugspitze (in the Bavarian Alps, 2,962 m (9,718 ft), Garmisch-Partenkirchen / Grainau, Bavaria 4725N 1059EMaritime claims[edit]Continental shelf: 200 m (660 ft) depth or to the depth of exploitationExclusive economic zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi). The exact EEZ is due to conventions with neighbouring states.Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)Physical Geography[edit]

Topographic map of GermanyThe northern third of the country lies in the North European Plain, with flat terrain crossed by northward-flowing watercourses (Elbe, Ems, Weser, Oder). Wetlands and marshy conditions are found close to the Dutch border and along the Frisian coast. Sandy Mecklenburg in the northeast has many glacier-formed lakes dating to the last glacial period.

Moving south, central Germany features rough and somewhat patternless hilly and mountainous countryside, some of it formed by ancient volcanic activity. The Rhine valley cuts through the western part of this region. The central uplands continue east and north as far as the Saale and merge with the Ore Mountains on the border with the Czech Republic. Upland regions include the Eifel, Hunsrck and Palatine Forest west of the Rhine, the Taunus hills north of Frankfurt, the Vogelsberg massif, the Rhn, and the Thringer Wald. South of Berlin, the east-central part of the country is more like the low northern areas, with sandy soil and river wetlands such as the Spreewald region.

Southern Germany's landforms are defined by various linear hill and mountain ranges like the two adjacent ranges of the Swabian and Franconian Alb (reaching approximately from the source of the Danube in the southwest of Baden-Wrttemberg, south of Stuttgart, across Swabia into Central Franconia and to the valley of the river Main) and the Bavarian Forest along the border between Bavaria and the Czech Republic. The Alps on the southern border are the highest mountains, but relatively little Alpine terrain lies within Germany (in southeastern Swabia and Upper Bavaria) compared to Switzerland and Austria. The Black Forest, on the southwestern border with France, separates the Rhine from the headwaters of the Danube on its eastern slopes.

Climate[edit]Coastal dunesSummer coastal climate on the island of Sylt in Schleswig-HolsteinThuringian ForestThuringian Forests in winterGermany's climate is temperate and marine, with cold, cloudy, wet winters and moderate warm summers and in the south occasional warm fhn wind. The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate. In the northwest and the north, the climate is extremely oceanic and rain falls all the year round. Winters there are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool. In the east, the climate shows clear continental features; winters can be very cold for long periods, and summers can become very warm. Dry periods are often recorded.

In the centre and the south, there is a transitional climate which may be predominantly oceanic or continental, according to the general weather situation. Winters are mild and summers tend to be cool, though maximum temperatures can exceed 30 C (86 F) for several days in a row during heat waves. The warmest regions of Germany can be found in the south-west (see rhine rift, German Wine Route and Palatinate). Here summers can be hot with many days exceeding 30 C (86 F). Sometimes, minimum temperatures do not drop below 20 C (68 F), which is relatively rare in other regions.[2][3]

Land use[edit]

Alpine scenery in BavariaGermany covers a total of 357,021 km2 (137,847 sq mi), of which 5,157 km2 (1,991 sq mi) is irrigated land and 8,350 km2 (3,220 sq mi) is covered by water, the largest lakes being Lake Constance (total area of 536 km2 (207 sq mi), with 62% of the shore being German; international borders are not defined on the lake itself), Mritz (117 km2 or 45 sq mi) and Chiemsee (80 km2 or 31 sq mi). The majority of Germany is covered by either arable land (33.95%); permanent crops cover 0.57% of the land.

Germany has a total of 2,389 km (1,484 mi) of coastline, and borders totaling 3,714 km (2,308 mi) (clockwise from north: Denmark 140 km (87 mi), Poland 467 km (290 mi), Czech Republic 704 km (437 mi),[4] Austria 801 km (498 mi), Switzerland 348 km (216 mi), France 418 km (260 mi), Luxembourg 128 km (80 mi), Belgium 133 km (83 mi), Netherlands 575 km (357 mi)). The German-Austrian border crosses itself near Jungholz. The border with Belgium includes 5 German exclaves because the Vennbahn railway is on Belgian territory crossing in and out of Germany.

Rivers[edit]

The major German riversFor a more comprehensive list, see List of rivers of Germany.The main rivers in Germany are:

the Rhine (Rhein in German) with a German section extending 865 km (537 mi) (main tributaries including the Neckar, the Main and the Moselle (Mosel));the Elbe with a German section of 727 km (452 mi) (also drains into the North Sea); andthe Danube (Donau) with a German length of 687 km (427 mi).Further important rivers include the Saale and the Main in central Germany, the Neckar in the southwest, and the Weser in the North.

Caves[edit]

Show caves in GermanyThroughout the Karst rocks many caves were formed especially in the valley of the Hnne. The biggest culture cave of Europe is located in Balve.

Natural resources[edit]Iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel, waterEnvironment[edit]Lneburg HeathThe Lneburg Heath Nature Reserve in Lower SaxonyEagleThe eagle is a protected bird of preyCurrent issuesEmissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulphur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government (under Chancellor Schrder, SPD) announced intent to end the use of nuclear power for producing electricity; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive. Germany's last glacier is disappearing.[citation needed]International agreementsParty to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, WhalingSigned, but not ratified: noneNatural hazardsFlooding through rivers after heavy rainfall, such as during the 2002 European floods, or Storm surge, such as the North Sea flood of 1962 and the historic floods of 1362 and 1634 that changed the coastline of what is now the west coast of Schleswig-Holstein.Flora and fauna[edit]Red DeerDeer are widespread speciesAlpine terrainSeals in Schleswig-HolsteinPhytogeographically, Germany is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. The territory of Germany can be subdivided into two ecoregions: European-Mediterranean montane mixed forests and Northeast-Atlantic shelf marine.[5] The majority of Germany is covered by either arable land (33%) or forestry and woodland (31%). Only 15% is covered by permanent pastures.

Plants and animals are those generally common to middle Europe. Beeches, oaks, and other deciduous trees constitute one-third of the forests; conifers are increasing as a result of reforestation. Spruce and fir trees predominate in the upper mountains, while pine and larch are found in sandy soil. There are many species of ferns, flowers, fungi, and mosses. Fish abound in the rivers and the North Sea. Wild animals include deer, wild boar, mouflon, fox, badger, hare, and small numbers of beaver. Various migratory birds cross Germany in the spring and autumn.

The national parks in Germany include the Wadden Sea National Parks, the Jasmund National Park, the Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park, the Mritz National Park, the Lower Oder Valley National Park, the Harz National Park, the Saxon Switzerland National Park and the Bavarian Forest National Park.

Germany is known for its many zoological gardens, wildlife parks, aquaria, and bird parks.[6] More than 400 registered zoos and animal parks operate in Germany, which is believed to be the largest number in any single country of the world.[7] The Zoologischer Garten Berlin is the oldest zoo in Germany and presents the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.[8]

Human Geography[edit]Demographics[edit]

Population densityMain article: Demographics of GermanyWith an estimated 81.8 million inhabitants in January 2010, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union and ranks as the 15th largest country in the world in terms of population. Its population density stands at 229.4 inhabitants per square kilometre (594/sq mi). The United Nations Population Fund lists Germany as host to the third-highest number of international migrants worldwide,[9] around 20% of Germanys population do not hold a German passport or are descendents of immigrants.

Administrative divisions[edit]Germany comprises sixteen states that are collectively referred to as Lnder.[10] Each state has its own state constitution[11] and is largely autonomous in regard to its internal organisation. Due to differences in size and population the subdivision of these states varies, especially between city states (Stadtstaaten) and states with larger territories (Flchenlnder). For regional administrative purposes five states, namely Baden-Wrttemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony, consist of a total of 22 Government Districts (Regierungsbezirke). As of 2009 Germany is divided into 403 districts (Kreise) on municipal level, these consist of 301 rural districts and 102 urban districts.[12]

Coat of arms of Lower Saxony.svg Lower SaxonyBremen Wappen.svg BremenCoat of arms of Hamburg.svg HamburgCoat of arms of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (great).svg Mecklenburg-VorpommernWappen Sachsen-Anhalt.svg Saxony-AnhaltCoat of arms of Saxony.svg SaxonyBrandenburg Wappen.svg BrandenburgInsigne Berolini.svg BerlinCoat of arms of Thuringia.svg ThuringiaCoat of arms of Hesse.svg HesseCoat of arms of North Rhine-Westfalia.svg North Rhine-WestphaliaCoat of arms of Rhineland-Palatinate.svg Rhineland-PalatinateLandessymbol Freistaat Bayern.svg BavariaCoat of arms of Baden-Wrttemberg (lesser).svg Baden-WrttembergWappen des Saarlands.svg SaarlandCoat of arms of Schleswig-Holstein.svg Schleswig-HolsteinStateCapitalArea (km)PopulationBaden-WrttembergStuttgart35,75210,717,000BavariaMunich70,54912,444,000BerlinBerlin8923,400,000BrandenburgPotsdam29,4772,568,000BremenBremen404663,000HamburgHamburg7551,735,000HesseWiesbaden21,1156,098,000Mecklenburg-VorpommernSchwerin23,1741,720,000Lower SaxonyHanover47,6188,001,000North Rhine-WestphaliaDsseldorf34,04318,075,000Rhineland-PalatinateMainz19,8474,061,000SaarlandSaarbrcken2,5691,056,000SaxonyDresden18,4164,296,000Saxony-AnhaltMagdeburg20,4452,494,000Schleswig-HolsteinKiel15,7632,829,000ThuringiaErfurt16,1722,355,000Urbanization[edit]Germany has a number of large cities; the most populous are: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart. The largest conurbation is the Rhine-Ruhr region (12 million), including Dsseldorf (the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia), Cologne, Essen, Dortmund, Duisburg, and Bochum.

v t eLargest cities or towns in GermanyList of statistical offices in Germany 24 December 2010RankNameStatePop.RankNameStatePop.BerlinBerlinHamburgHamburg1BerlinBerlin3,471,75611DresdenSaxony523,058MunichMunichCologneCologne2HamburgHamburg1,786,44812LeipzigSaxony522,8833MunichBavaria1,353,18613HannoverLower Saxony522,6864CologneNorth Rhine-Westphalia1,007,11914NurembergBavaria505,6645FrankfurtHesse688,66415DuisburgNorth Rhine-Westphalia489,5996StuttgartBaden-Wrttemberg606,58816BochumNorth Rhine-Westphalia374,7377DsseldorfNorth Rhine-Westphalia598,78617WuppertalNorth Rhine-Westphalia349,7218DortmundNorth Rhine-Westphalia580,44418BonnNorth Rhine-Westphalia324,8999EssenNorth Rhine-Westphalia574,63519BielefeldNorth Rhine-Westphalia323,27010BremenBremen (state)547,34020MannheimBaden-Wrttemberg313,174