Germany Travel Guide

Country Facts

Location

Western/Central Europe.

Language

German is the official language. Regional dialects often differ markedly from standard German. Minority languages include Danish and Sorbic, while some English and French is also spoken.

Area

357,021 sq km (137,847 sq miles).

Time Zone

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

Electricity

230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use.

Population

82.1 million (2008).

Population Density

230 per sq km.

Capital City

Berlin. Population: 3.4 million (2008).

Government

Federal Republic since 1949.

Head of Government

Chancellor Angela Merkel since 2005.

Head of State

President Christian Wulff since 2010.

Religion

Approximately 34% Protestant, 34% Roman Catholic, 4% Muslim, with Jewish and other non-Christian minorities.

Recent History

The territory that we now know as Germany was for many centuries a loose collection of independent (and often warring) states, attaining unification after victory in the Franco-Prussian war of 1871. There followed a period of political, military and economic advancement that placed it as a genuine world power.

Following defeat in World War I, however, the Treaty of Versailles led to the country being divided once more, this time into East and West Germany. An economic crisis led to the emergence of the National Socialist German Workers’ (Nazi) Party, making Adolf Hitler head of state.

Initial military success in World War II ended in further defeat, although the country’s economy this time recovered more quickly. Reunification took place in October 1990.

From 1995 onwards, a new leadership under would-be chancellor Gerhard Schröder emerged to challenge the long-standing Helmut Kohl Christian Democrat (CDU) government. Schröder came to power in 1998, his reign coming to an end amid confusion following September 2005's inconclusive election. Germany faced weeks of uncertainty resulting in a deal that saw Angela Merkel sworn in as Germany's first female chancellor. She currently faces major economic challenges as a result of the global recession.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +49.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with many international mobile phone companies. Coverage is good. It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving.

Internet

Internet is readily available; there are many Internet cafes all over the country. Large Internet access centers exist in most main cities. Most hotels also provide facilities, either included in the room rate or charged separately.

Media

Germany's competitive TV market is the largest in Europe. Each of the country's 16 regions regulates its own private and public broadcasting, and operates public TV and radio services. Around 90% of German households have cable or satellite TV. Germany is home to some of the world's largest media conglomerates, such as Bertelsmann. The most influential daily papers include Die Welt, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Süddeutsche Zeitung. The most widely read of the weekly publications are Der Spiegel and Die Zeit. Most major English-language newspapers and international magazines are also available in large cities. Sky Deutschland (previously Premiere) is a pay-TV operator. ARD and ZDF operate the public national TV channels; RTL operates entertainment channels. Deutsche Welle TV is the international TV service, and operates in English and Spanish, as well as German; Arte is a Franco-German cultural channel. Deutsche Welle TV broadcasts radio in many languages; Deutschlandradio operates national public radio stations, Deutschlandfunk and Deutschlandradio Kultur.

Post

Stamps are available from hotels, slot machines and post offices.Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1200. Smaller branches may close for lunch.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Jan * Epiphany
22 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
2 Jun Ascension
13 Jun Whit Monday
23 Jun * Corpus Christi
15 Aug * Assumption
3 Oct Day of German Unity
31 Oct * Day of Reformation
1 Nov * All Saints’ Day
16 Nov * Repentance Day
25 Dec Christmas

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Jan * Epiphany
6 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
17 May Ascension
28 May Whit Monday
7 Jun *Corpus Christi
15 Aug * Assumption
3 Oct Day of German Unity
31 Oct * Day of Reformation
1 Nov * All Saints’ Day
21 Nov * Repentance Day
25 Dec Christmas
*Epiphany, Corpus Christi, Assumption, Day of Reformation, All Saints' Day and Repentance Day are not observed in all areas. Consult the German National Tourist Office for details (see Contact Addresses).

Contact Information

British Embassy in Germany

Wilhelmstrasse 70, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Tel: 49 (0)30 204570.
Website: www.ukingermany.fco.gov.uk

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the UK

23 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PZ, UK
Tel: (020) 7824 1300 (general enquiries) or (020) 7824 1463 (consular section) or 09065 508 922 (recorded visa information; calls cost £1 per minute) or 09065 540 740 (24-hour automated visa appointment booking service; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website: www.london.diplo.de
Opening hours: 0900-1130.

German National Tourist Office in the UK

PO Box 2695, London W1A 3TN, UK
Tel: (020) 7317 0908.
Website: www.germany-tourism.co.uk

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in the USA

4645 Reservoir Road, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 298 4000. Visa questions: (202) 298 4224.
Website: www.germany.info
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0830-1700, Fri 0830-1530.

German National Tourist Office in the USA

122 East 42nd Street, Suite 2000, New York, NY 10168, USA
Tel: (212) 661 7200 or 1 800 651 7010 (for callers within the USA.
Website: www.cometogermany.com