|
In between Germany’s Alpine wonderlands and seaside resorts, medieval cities and cosmopolitan metropolises form one of the most prosperous belts in all of Europe. Each of the country’s historically distinct cities and regions pulls Germany in its own direction: Munich, for example, revels in beer-drenched tradition, while Berlin steps to a cutting-edge beat. For those who think blisters make the best souvenirs, there’s hiking, biking, and skiing in the Bavarian Alps, the Black Forest, and the Harz Mountains. But outdoor Germany isn’t all forest—salty beaches abound on the North and Baltic seacoasts, while some stretches of the balmy Bodensee (Lake Constance) are warm enough to support tropical vegetation and southern European tan lines. The traveler in Germany could easily spend weeks in the romantic canyons and medieval castles of Bavaria or in dynamic urban centers like Frankfurt and Dresden, never imagining the scenery that awaits a few hours away. Even a sprawling city like Hamburg offers picturesque sailing only a subway ride from a nightlife where everything—and we mean everything—is for sale.
It does not take the visitor long to discover the beauty of Germany. Bavarian villages, castles along the Rhein, cafes in Berlin, the stately cathedral in Cologne are but a few of the enchanting places to see. One of the most delighful features of Germany are its people who are very friendly and often go out of their way to make the visitor welcome. Whether its a local 'bierstube' or the opera in Munich or Berlin, Germany has an enormous cultural wealth which it's is delighted to share with all who come to visit.
Germany is situated in central Europe, stretching northwards from the Alps to the North Sea and the Baltic, and measuring 357,000 km² (137,838 miles²), with an average population density of 227 people per km². It is bordered by Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland.
The two former Germanys have joined to form one parliamentary federal democracy, with Helmut Kohl heading the government. The official language is High German, but there are many regional dialects. English is widely spoken.
The climate is temperate throughout the country with warm summers and cold winters. There are slight regional climatic variations. The rate of precipitation is virtually standard throughout the year, but prolonged periods of frost or snow are rare. The German landscape is varied, with the highest point being the Zugspitze at 2,963 m (9,721 ft) and the lowest being along the coast. As a rule, the north is flat and characterised by waterways and marshes, while the south is mountainous.
A decade after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Germans are still trying to fashion themselves a new identity for the 21st century. After centuries of war, fragmentation, occupation, and division, Germany now finds itself a wealthy nation at the forefront of both European and global politics. Yet, bound by an ignoble past, Germans are hesitant to draw upon historical precedent as a source of unity and pride. Indeed, what may be the most striking aspect of contemporary German culture is the contrast among average Germans’ intransigent sense of order and an embrace of the American-influenced global pop culture that distances the nation from the notoriety of its wartime belligerence and inhumanity. It is this enigmatic juxtaposition between modern Germany’s loyalty to its cultural institutions and its desire to annihilate its ignominious position in world history that the next few pages attempt to explore.
Despite its long history of reactionary politics, Germany has been a perennial wellspring of revolutionaries and innovators—for better and for worse. One of the first heroes of German history, Charlemagne (Karl der Große) unified post-Roman Europe under relatively enlightened rule. Martin Luther went from small-town German monk to one of the most influential figures in Western history when he authored his 95 Theses, spawning the Protestant Reformation. Communist pioneers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels equipped the revolutionary groundswell of 19th-century Europe with an ideology that precipitated the major conflicts of the second half of the 20th century. And one of the most horrifying figures in history, Adolf Hitler forever tainted Germany’s international reputation with his expansionist dreams of a greater Germany and genocidal race theories. This last image, of course, indelibly colors all subsequent German history, as Germany has become irreversibly linked to the Holocaust in the world’s mind. As historians are fond of pointing out, Germans must grapple with the fact that the same country that produced Goethe, Kant, and Beethoven was also the breeding ground of Hitler, Goebbels, and Mengele.
To combat this incongruous legacy, Germans these days are busy trying to further integrate themselves into the economic and political institutions of the international future, while still coming to terms with the problems brought on by the remarkably quick reunification of the country ten years ago. In the wake of Europe’s most recent revolutions, Germany’s pivotal role between East and West is even more important than it was during the Cold War, yet efforts to provide leadership on the Continent have been hampered by Germany’s internal identity crises. Nevertheless, Germany assumes an increasingly assertive role in the global community, and while the country’s prospects for the future continue to be elusive, Germany enters the next millennium more unified and stable than ever before.
Germany’s millennia of history have endowed many cities with stunning cathedrals and clusters of half-timbered facades; but for a preview of the next millennium, head to Berlin, a city whose conflicted past and future lend it a compelling fervor. Many attractions are made doubly rich by the stories surrounding them: a boat ride down the craggy Rhine Valley evokes the drama of the legendary Lorelei siren, while touring the opulent chambers of Neuschwanstein castle provides a glimpse of Mad King Ludwig’s eccentric tastes. After the museums close, the best beer awaits in the hippest clubs on the continent. Discover Germany in 2000.
WHEN TO VISIT GERMANY
Temperatures and airfares rise in July and August along with the number of tourists. In winter months, some German hostels hibernate, and museum hours may be abbreviated. The cloudy, temperate months of May, June, and September are the best time to go, as there are fewer tourists and the weather is pleasant. But bear in mind that most schools go on Klassenreise (extended field trips) in June, and that youth hostels may be inundated with schoolchildren. Germans head to vacation spots en masse with the onset of school vacations in early July; airports and train stations are jammed and the traffic on the Autobahn can be measured in meters per hour. The staggering of vacation periods among the federal states has alleviated the crunch, but you should still avoid trekking across Germany the day after school lets out. Winter sports gear up in November and continue through April; high season for skiing hits mid-December to mid-January and February to March.
Time
Germany is on Central European Time (CET), in the same time zone as Warsaw and Madrid. It is nine hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST), six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST) and one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Clocks in Germany are turned forward by one hour at the end of March and are turned back one hour at the end of September to accommodate daylightsaving.
Tourist Offices
German National Tourist Board
Detsche Zentrale fuer Tourismus
e.V. - DZT
Beethovenstrasse 69
60325 Frankfurt am Main
Tel. 49-6975720
Fax. 49-69751903
German Industrial Trade Association (for assistance with trade and business contacts)
Deutsche Industrie- und Handelstag
Adenauerallee 148
53113 Bonn
Tel. 49-2281040
IN SOUTH AFRICA
German National Tourist Office
c/o Lufthansa German Airlines
22 Girton Road
Parktown
Johannesburg
2000
Tel. 27116431615
Fax. 27114842750
German Embassy
180 Blackwood Street
Arcadia
Pretoria
0083
Tel. 27123443854
Visas & Passports
Citizens of the the European Union (EU) and some other Western European countries can enter on an official identity card. Citizens of the United States of America, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Japan require a valid passport and may stay for 90 days without a visa, as long as they do not intend to work in Germany during their stay.
Children may travel on their parent's passport or on their own passport. Children under 10 do not require passport photographs.
Customs
Visitors are allowed to bring most items that will be required for personal use into the country duty free. Gifts are duty free up to a total value of DM 780.00.
Duty-free limits for visitors from European Union countries are as follows: 300 cigarettes or 75 cigars, or 400 g of tobacco; 1.5 l of liquor of more than 22% alcohol by volume, or 3 l of liquor of less than 22% alcohol by volume or 5 l of wine; 50 g of perfume and 250 ml of toilet water.
Duty-free limits for visitors from other European countries are as follows: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, or 250 g of tobacco; 1 l of liquor of more than 22% alcohol by volume, or 2 l of liquor of less than 22% alcohol by volume or 2 l of wine; 50 g of perfume and 250 ml of toilet water; 250 g of coffee; 100 g of tea. There is a limit of other products to the value of DM 115.00 and petrol reserves up to 10 l.
Duty-free limits for visitors from non-European countries are the same as for non European Union countries, except that visitors are allowed 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 g of tobacco.
Tobacco and alcohol products are only allowed for persons aged 17 or older.
Business Hours
Banks are open from 08:30 to 12:30 and 14:30 to 16:00 Monday to Friday. Banks usually stay open until 17:00 on Thursday and are closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
Money exchanges at most airports, border crossings and major railway stations are open from 06:00 and 22:00.
Public Holidays 
Germany has 10 public holidays. The different regions celebrate their own holidays as well.
Post & Telecommunications
Post offices can be identified by a yellow sign with a black post horn. Letter boxes and phone boxes are bright yellow.
Post offices hold mail for two weeks, so visitors can have mail sent poste restante (Postlagernde Briefe) to the main post office in each city without having to pay a collection fee. Persons with an American Express card or traveller's cheques can have their mail held (for up to 30 days) free of charge by American Express Travel Service in any large city.
Faxes and telegrams can be sent from main post offices.
Electricity
Electricity is supplied in 220 volt, 50 cycles. European standard two-pronged plugs are used. Visitors are advised to bring an adapter plug and transformer for electrical equipment, except dual voltage equipment.
Disabled Travellers
Access to public transport systems is indicated by the international wheelchair symbol or a 'B' (Behinderte). Many public transport systems are accessible to wheelchairs. Most trains have seats or compartments reserved for people with disabilities. There are wheelchair facilities on almost all EuroCity trains.
Major cities have audible crossing signals for the blind. There is a six-month quarantine period for all animals, including guide dogs.
Budget Travel
There are over 600 youth hostels (Jugendherberge) located throughout Germany. Guests should belong to a Hostelling International affiliated organisation. If not, DM 6.00 per night is charged for a guest card. After six nights, this is converted into a full membership. Visitors under the age of 27 get preference in the youth hostels and in Bavaria there is a maximum age limit of 26, except for group leaders and families. Most hostels have family rooms.
History
The history of Germany is largely a story of disunity. For hundreds of years Germany consisted of separate states ruled by princes. During the late 1800s, the Prime Minister of Prussia, then Otto von Bismarck, united Germany through three brief wars. Germany’s efforts to increase its power contributed towards the start of World War I. The Germans were defeated in 1918, four years after the start of the war.
During the 1930s, Adolf Hitler and his followers rebuilt Germany and prepared the country for war. World War II started in 1939 and it took the Allies six years to defeat the Germans and end Hitler’s dictatorship. The country was then divided into zones, later to become West Germany and East Germany. Berlin, the old capital of Germany, was also divided. In 1955, East and West Germany were declared independent and joined opposing Cold War military alliances. The Communists built the Berlin Wall in 1961, in an effort to stop the flow of East German refugees into West Berlin. In 1967, East Germany limited citizenship to East Germans in an effort to establish itself as a completely separate nation. In 1989, Germany once again became the focus of world attention when the Brandenburg Gate was opened and the Berlin Wall was dismantled.
The new, unified Germany is still something of an unknown quantity, yet, no matter which part of the country is visited, evidence of its history is to be found. There are reminders of leading figures to be found throughout the country with Hitler's Alpine retreat, Charlemagne's throne and Wittlesbach castles being but a few of them. Reminders of Communism are to be found in the former East Germany, although many of these have been obliterated. Many of the concentration camps have been reopened as educational centres and memorials. There are theme tours available which focus on a specific period in history. There are also theme roads such as the Martin Luther route which help visitors explore Germany's past.
Population
The population is estimated to be between 78.5 and 81 million people. The percentage of people living in urban areas is between 75% and 85%, with the largest concentration of people in the Ruhr valley. The most sparsely populated areas are in the northeastern area of Mecklenburg-Pomerania. Germany has a negative population growth rate and one of the world's lowest birth rates. Of the total population, only 16% are younger than 15 years of age.
Government
| Germany is a parliamentary federal democracy. The head of state is the federal president, while the head of government is the federal chancellor. At the moment the federal president is Roman Herzog while the federal chancellor is Helmut Kohl.
Parliament has two houses, the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. The Bundestag passes the laws and chooses the head of government. The Bundesrat approves or rejects legislation passed by the Bundestag. Most legislation requires Bundesrat approval before it can become law. Half of the judges of the Federal Constitutional Court, which is the highest court, are elected by the Bundestag and half by the Bundesrat.
Political authority is divided between the central federal government and the governments of the states (Bundesländer) according to the constitution (Basic Law) of 1949. There are sixteen states, including the formerly divided city of Berlin. The federal government has responsibility for foreign affairs, defence, finance, citizenship, migration, customs and telecommunications. It establishes guidelines and shares responsibility with the local governments for economic, social and health policy. The local government of each state has legislative responsibility over education, police, broadcasting, culture and environmental protection.
|
Did you know?
- The next national elections will be held in Germany in 1998.
- Bonn is still the seat of Government, although Berlin became the capital on 3 October 1990.
|
Economic Overview
| Germany's economy still shows signs of the years of division between what was once the GDR (German Democratic Republic) in the east, and Western Germany. There has been much progress since the reunification, and the standard of living in the eastern parts of Germany is improving. However, expectations are that the eastern region will still be dependent on western Germany for economic aid for another decade.
Construction and manufacturing industries, as well as the service sectors are leading the recovery of the eastern German economy.
Western Germany has an advanced market economy. It is a leader in world exports and has a per capita output that is three times that of the eastern states. The population is highly skilled and the standard of living is good.
Technologically advanced products are manufactured by world-class companies in western Germany.
|
Did you know?
- Germany has the highest proportion of wage-earning women in the world.
- Car manufacturers in Germany include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi.
|
Language
High German is the official language and there are many regional dialects. Languages spoken in Germany include Allemannisch, Bavarian, Danish, Frankish, Eastern Frisian, Northern Frisian, German Sign Language, Low German, Standard German, Latvian, Luxembourgeois, Mainfrankisch, Platdeutsch, Polabian, Polish, Balkan Romani, Sinte Romani, Vlach Romani, Swabian, Lower Wend, Upper Wend, Yeniche and Yiddish.
Religion
Most of the German population is Christian, with figures for Protestants estimated at 45% and for Roman Catholics estimated at 37%. Rhineland and Bavaria are predominantly Roman Catholic districts, while Northern Germany is predominantly Protestant. There are also small numbers of Eastern Orthodox Christians.
The number of Muslims (mainly from Turkey) is estimated to be approximately two million. The Jewish population is relatively small at around 40,000 to 50,000, with the largest congregations being in Berlin and Frankfurt am Main.
Art & Culture
When setting out to explore cities, towns or regions, keep in mind the following:
- Bookshops and most newspaper kiosks sell maps and guides.
- Street maps are usually displayed in the centre of towns and cities.
- The local tourist offices (Fremdenverkehrsbüro or Fremdenverkehrsamt) can provide details of things to see and do in their region.
There are many historic buildings in Germany that are of cultural interest. Knowing the German terms will help you identify them. There are a number of cathedrals, castles and palaces that are well worth a visit.
Museums
Art galleries and museums are usually open daily, except for Mondays. When visiting museums, umbrellas and other bulky objects should be left in the museum's cloakroom.
Local Art
There are a number of art galleries exhibiting the work of local artists, as well as the work of famous painters. The Kunsthalle in Hamburg is well worth a visit.
Theatres, Opera Houses and Orchestras
Theatre and dinner theatre is popular in Germany. The opera houses in Berlin, Vienna, Hamburg and Munich are of international standing. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra are among the best in the world.
Evening dress is appropriate in the large theatres and opera houses. Umbrellas, coats and large bags should be left in the cloakroom at the theatre as well as the opera.
Food & Drink
The Germans take food preparation and consumption seriously.
German cooking differs from region to region, with each region having its own specialities. Dumplings, potatoes, breads, pastries and a great variety of Würste (sausages) are examples of typical German cuisine.
The German beers which may accompany a meal are not in the 'light' category and helpings of food are not small.
Climate, soil and grape varieties all contribute to the success of the German wine industry. There are two categories of wine allowed in European Union countries: table wine and quality wine from specified regions. Germany produces famed quality wines with special attributes, which include Kabinette, Auslese, Eiswein, Spätlese, Trockenbeerenauslese and Beererauslese.
In Germany, tea is usually served in a glass with a wedge of lemon and coffee is ordered by the cup or pot. The Germans don't usually take milk with their beverages, so if you do want milk remember to ask for it.
Restaurants often have set-price menus (Tagesmenü) which are good value and are offered by most restaurants. Ask for menus for children and senior citizens, as these are also usually available.
Entertainment
There are many nature parks and amusement parks in Germany.
River and lake trips are popular, especially along the Rhine, Germany's longest river. Modes of transport range from time-saving hydrofoil services to leisurely cruise ship journeys.
Germany has about 1,300 breweries, making up 40% of the world's total. All beer routes ultimately lead to Munich. It is here that you will find the largest beer halls, the biggest beer gardens and the most famous breweries.
Shopping
Berlin and Munich are the main centres for shopping in Germany, but all of the regions have items that are of interest to visitors. Bargains are scarce because the Deutsche Mark is a strong currency.
Cuckoo clocks made in the Black Forest are very popular, as well as wood carvings from Bavaria (particularly Oberammergau) and colourful heraldic emblems, which are available throughout Germany.
Porcelain and china are available and of a high standard. Meissen, KPM and Rosenthal are the more famous manufacturers of these products.
Württembergische-Metalwaren-Fabrik produces fine, reputedly long-lasting silverware and has outlets throughout Germany.
Nuremberg is world-renowned for its toys. It also hosts the annual International Toy Fair in February.
Some museums and specialty shops sell art reproductions, books and posters.
Sport
The Germans are sports enthusiasts and information about important sporting events is published every month by regional and local tourist offices.
The terrain in Germany is ideally suited to hiking and climbing and local tourist offices and shops can usually supply details about mountain guides. The thousands of kilometres of trails and marked hiking and walking tracks in Germany's hill and mountain regions are usually very busy over weekends.
There are many marked cycling routes in Germany. Bicycles are available for rental (1 April to 31 October) at most train stations in Germany, particularly in the south.
Downhill and cross-country skiing are practised in the Bavarian Alps. The best time for skiing is from early December to late March. Full rental facilities for skiing equipment are available at the winter resorts. Garmisch-Partenkirchen is the most popular Alpine resort and hosts international ski-jumping on New Year's Day. There are also quieter skiing trails in the Black Forest and the Harz Mountains.
Tennis courts can be found in most areas. Swimming is enjoyed in open-air or indoor pools in all of the cities and the larger towns. Baseball, sailing, golf, gymnastics, hockey, martial arts, running, skydiving and waterpolo are also popular. Soccer is the most popular spectator sport.
Festivals
There are many festivals and fairs held throughout Germany, at all times of the year.
January
New Year's Day International Ski Jumping takes place in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Mainz and Munich have carnival events for the Shrovetide season until just before Ash Wednesday.
February
Berlin has it's famous International Film Festival and Nuremberg has the International Toy Fair. The Frankfurt International Fair in late February is a major trade fair.
March
March is the month for spring fairs, with towns such as Erfurt, Nürnberg, Stuttgart and Augsburg hosting them. Eisenach hosts the Sommergewinn Festival, and Thuringia the Bach Festival. The Leipzig Trade Fair attracts business people from throughout Europe. Berlin hosts the ITB, which is a large international tourism fair.
April
Mannheim May Fair is a traditional spring fair with parades and flower floats. Other festivals include Munich Ballet Days and the Stuttgart Jazz Festival. The night before May Day there are Walpurgis Festivals in the Harz Mountains.
May
The German Open Tennis Tournament is held in Hamburg. Stuttgart hosts the International Mime Festival, Rudesheim the Red Wine Festival and Dresden the International Dixieland Jazz Festival. The Dresden Musikfestspiele, comprising orchestral concerts and opera, takes place from the last week in May until early June. Hamburg Summer, a season of concerts, festivals, plays and exhibitions, has events which run through to October.
June
Cochem has the Moselle Wine Week, Halle hosts the Händel Festival and Freiburg the International Theatre Festival. Kiel Week, an international sailing regatta, takes place in Kiel while Music Days highlight Leipzig's cultural calendar. Frankfurt Summertime Festival features outdoor activities and the International Theatre Festival takes place in Freiburg.
July
July is the month for folk festivals and Berlin hosts the German-American Folk Festival. The enormously popular Richard Wagner Festival takes place in Bayreuth while the International Music Seminar is hosted by Wiemar. Other festivals include the Lulmach Beer Festival and the Munich Opera Festival.
August
There are wine festivals throughout the Rhineland, and a wine tasting festival in Freiburg. The Heidelberg Castle Festival features spectacular fireworks displays.
September
Berlin hosts the Festival of Music and Drama (also known as Berliner Festwochen). Leipzig has an autumn fair. The Oktoberfest starts in September in Munich and continues into early October.
October
Berlin hosts a jazz festival and Leipzig the Gewandhaus Festival. The Frankfurt Book Fair is an annual event. The Bremen Freimarkt, a centuries-old folk festival and procession is the largest festival in northern Germany.
November
Bavaria and the Rhineland celebrate St Martin's Festival. There is an annual amusement fair, the Winter Dom, in Hamburg.
December
The more popular Christmas fairs are held in Mainz, Munich, Nuremberg, Berlin, Essen and Heidelberg.
Outdoors
Beaches
There are a number of good beaches in northern Germany. You can rent a beach chair at most of the beaches. Topless bathing is permitted, and areas indicated by the FKK-Strand (Freikörperkultur) sign are special areas for nudists.
Camping
Details of camping facilities can be obtained from the local tourist offices. Official campsites have excellent facilities (some also have a shop and a restaurant). Permission must be obtained for camping in fields or on common land, and failure to obtain permission can result in severe penalties.
Climate
Temperature
Temperatures range between -10 °C (14 °F) and 32 °C (90 °F). In the summer months, the average temperature is 21 °C (70 °F), in spring temperatures range from 4 °C (39 °F) to 18 °C (64 °F) and in the winter months temperatures can drop to -10 °C (14 °F). Snow can be anticipated from November onwards.
Rainfall
There is no specific rainy season, and rain can be expected throughout the year. The average annual rainfall is 585 mm (23 in). The northern parts of Germany has the highest rainfall.
Hours of sunlight
Daylightsaving is in effect from the end of March to the end of September.
Geography
Germany's topography can be divided into three main regions:
- the Southern German Highlands,
- the Central German Uplands, and
- the North German Plain.
The Bavarian Alps occur in the Southern German Highlands and the highest peak is the Zugspitze, at 2,963 m (9,721 ft).
Gorges and lowland troughs cross the Central German Uplands from south to north, featuring rivers such as the Rhine, Leine and Weser. Mountains in this area include the Harz Mountains and those of the Thuringer Forest.
The North German plain was formed by glaciers and averages approximately 100 m (328 ft) above sea level. There are many lakes in this region.
Health
Medical care is widely available and of a high standard. There are a few facilities in eastern Germany that are more limited. Immediate cash payments for health services are expected by most doctors and hospitals. Local directories list contact numbers for emergency medical services, or Ärztlicher Notdienst. European Union citizens with an E111 form are entitled to free emergency health care.
No vaccinations are required for entry to Germany, except for persons from certain Third World countries. Tap water is safe to drink.
Safety
There is a low rate of violent crime in Germany. Right-wing violence and hate crimes are on the decrease. In urban areas, and particularly on public transportation, crowded department stores and train stations, there is the possibility of pickpocketing and purse snatching. Visitors are advised to take all of the normal precautions with items of value, especially money and credit cards. The emergency number for the police is 110 in most areas. |
