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Facts about Germany

Capital Berlin Total Area total: 357,021 sq km land: 349,223 sq km water: 7,798 sq km Population 82,431,390 (July 2005 est.) Languages German

Germany is located right in the center of Europe and forms as a bridge between maritime west of Europe and the continental east. It is a triad of mountain ranges, uplands and low land plains, the Bavarian Alps in the south and the wooded mountains of the Mittelgebirge in the center of the country.

WHERE AND WHEN TO GO IN GERMANY

Germany offers a huge choice of regions (16 states called Bundeslnder or short "Lnder") most of which could provide an enjoyable and fascinating holiday. Germany is also famous for its forests, mountains and lakes. Lets begin for the North: Germany has coasts to the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. In this part of the country you can find the famous Fairytale Road with white, sandy

beaches, resorts and seaports. There is also the city of Bremen, the Germanys second port; there are galleries, the town hall and the Roland Statue. The Germanys number one ocean gate way to the world is the international port of Hamburg; there are chic shops, elegant hotels and great museums. We can not forget Berlin, Germanys capital, one of the mega cities in the world and the top travel destination in Germany. Berlin offers a wonderful combination of history, night life, architecture and culture. In the Germanys south you can find from the beauty of the Black Forest to the dazzling allure of the Alps. There is the city of Heidelberg, where stay the Germanys most famous castle ruins. Other important city is Freiburg, the capital of the southern Black Forest; it is also known for its magnificent cathedral, an excellent example of late gothic architecture. There is also Munich, Bavarias capital and one of Germanys most beautiful and charming cities, it is home of the world-famous Oktoberfest and of the Deutsches Museum, the largest science and industry museum in Europe. Other areas of interest in Germanys south include Triberg, Lindau, Dinkelsbhl and the historic Franconian city of Wrzburg. In the middle, you can find Europes center of international business and finance: Frankfurt. The city is vibrant, dynamic, and flashy, earning it the questioning distinction of the most Americanized city in Germany. In the eastern part of Germany, you can find extraordinary cities: Leipzig, Weimar, Schwerin and even Dresden, famous for its Frauenkirche and historic center. In the western part cities still have some French influence, discover Bonn, Dsseldorf, Cologne (the heart of the Rhineland), Trier (the oldest city of Germany) or Aachen with its impressive cathedral and history back to Charlemagne. We have to recommend the Germanys valleys, well-known as Romantic Wine Valleys. Lets begin for the Rhine Valley; its unique beauty unfurls across the legendary River Rhine. It is famous for its wine festivals during the autumn. The next romantic valley is the Moselle Valley; it attracts visitors not only for its beauty, but also for the friendly atmosphere created by wine and song. Other beautiful valleys are The Ahr Valley, the Weser valley, the Neckar valley, and the Altmhl valley.

Germany is an excellent destination all the year although its climate can be unpredictable. Most people prefer to visit it between May and September (high season) when the sunny days are most likely. A lot of activities are popular in this season, especially outdoor events (hiking, cycling and swimming) and festivals. Cold and wet weather should never be unpredicted in Germany, however: between one-third and onehalf of the days each year brings some amount of precipitation. In June and July, school groups filled the major youth hostels, bringing noise and confusion. The other seasons (from March to May and from October to early November) bring fewer tourists. Usually, in April and May the weather can be mild and sunny. On the

other hand, between November and early March skies tend to be gloomy and the mercury often drops below freezing (there are only six or eight hours of daylight); in this season, travel to Germany is becoming more and more popular, especially to the ski areas in the Bavarian Alps. Keep in mind that the rain is a possibility in any month, so try to be cautious.

GETTING AROUND GERMANY

Getting around Germany is incredible easy. The train network is comfortable, reliable, fast and reasonably priced. The eastern and western train systems have now been fully merged. German roads are also excellent and motorized transport can be a great way to tour the country. However, almost all bigger cities suffer from a severe parking problem. The national and famous motorway network known as autobahnen, officially there is no general speed limit, but, in an attempt to increase safety and control the pollution, a lot of segments have speed limits. Another good and healthy way for getting around Germany is cycling. For the Germans, cycling is a fundamental part of life and many cities encourage cyclists with designated bicycle lanes, but cycling on the autobahnen is strictly forbidden (verboten). Germany By Plane Almost all large and small cities in Germany have airports and numerous carriers operate domestic flights. Furthermore, airports have an airport shuttle service, offering reduced fares and fast connections between the city center and the airport.More Germany By Train Germany has a one of the worlds best and most efficient railway systems, which reaches almost every city of the country, while the trip will be comfortable, cheap and punctual. Trains in Germany are modern and fast. More Germany By Car Driving around Germany is a pleasing and flexible way to see the country. In Germany roads are usually excellent, the countrys pride are its 11,000 Km of freeways (Autobahnen) which expand to all corners of the land. More Germany By Bus The bus network in Germany is excellent and efficient. Germany does not have a nationwide bus system, but many buses are operated by BahnBus. Bus service is especially convenient during slow periods of rail service. More

Germany By Boat Germany has a lot of beautiful lakes and rivers, and the Rhine is the countrys most traveled waterway. Most visitors prefer to see the castles on the Rhine from the deck of a passenger liner. More