Germany Imports Many Of The Same Things example essay topic

1,199 words
Germany Germany is a country of rich heritage and a long history. From early tribes to wars, a widely used language to automobiles, Germany is a common meeting ground for many things. Germany has been around for a very long period of time, so it would be rather difficult to go in depth on its history. Germany's history began way back around 100 BC with the first Germanic tribes moving in.

Very little is known about these tribes, other than what is found in Roman documents and the findings of archaeologists. Between 300 and 843 AD migration of the Franks, Goths, and Vandals began. In this same period, Germany began to convert to Roman Catholicism. From 1814 to 1871, Germany began its revolution. They had seen the French revolution and had decided it was their own time to revolt.

Many scholars from all classes of society had teamed up to discuss the possibility of a revolution. Following the German Revolution in November of 1918, voters began to support anti-democratic parties, including Communists and Nazis. In the 1930's, Germany was very close to starting a civil war. After numerous Presidential cabinets failing, President von Hindenburg, with almost no other options, chose Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany on January 29, 1933.

The views of Halter and Hitler's actions, like gaining control of a large portion of Europe, later lead to World War II after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Germany in the mid to late 1900's was divided, at first into four sections and then later into two. In the summer of 1989, Germany began to reunite. As stated before, there is not enough time to discuss Germany's full history. Germany has a distinctive geography. The capital of Germany is Berlin, with a population of 3,391,407 (as of March 31, 2005).

Germany is made up of 16 states, 3 of which are city-states. A city-state is a single city declaring itself as a state. The highest point in Germany is the Zugspitze, towering at 9,718 feet. The lowest point within this country is Wilstermarsch, measuring 11.6 feet below sea level. Because Germany is located for the most part in the center of Europe, it shares borders with 9 different countries. Germans have a fairly diverse heritage and customs.

33% of the people are Protestants, while another 33% are Catholic. The current Pope, Pope Benedict XVI, is German. Another 30 percent of Germany's people are considered religiously unaffiliated. German is currently has the third largest Jewish population. The western half of the country has a higher standard of living. However, most Germans are alarmed about the high level of unemployment in the country.

For a long time, women in Germany have followed an unofficial set of rules known as the three Ks. Kinder, K"uche, und Kirche. These mean children, kitchen, and church. Germany also has a relatively low birthrate. This may become a larger problem in the future. Germany is home to a democracy.

The two main parties in the German political system are the Christ lich-Demokratische Union (meaning Christian Democratic Union) and the Sozialdemokratische Parte i Deutschland's (meaning Social Democratic Party of Germany). Germany's federal parliament is made up of two different chambers. The Bundesrat (Federal council) is the states' representation at the federal level. It is made up of 69 members. The Bundestag (Federal Diet) is the other chamber, made up of 598 members, plus another 16 overhang seats.

Germany has a very well developed educational system. They have one of the world's highest levels of education and have a plethora of universities. Germany prohibits home-schooling, and prosecute it. German children go to elementary school for four years, then move on to secondary school.

In secondary school, German students learn English, Latin, or French as a second language. After this, they have a choice of school in which they may go to. Some only teach English as a second language, and others teach multiple languages. In some school, students go to school until 13th grade. They can then get their Abit ur. Although most believe this to be the equivalent on a high school diploma, it is actually more of an equivalent of the college level Associate's Degree.

Germany has a culture that is spread around the world. Santa Claus originated in Germany, as Saint Nikolaus. However, Germans have a much different view of him. He delivers small gifts to those children who have been good, but rather than the usual lump of coal for Christmas, German children and frightened by Saint Nikolaus's minion known as Knecht Ruprecht.

Knecht Ruprecht threatens to beat, or in some rare cases of naughty children, actually eat them. This tends to keep younger children in line. Germany is located in Central Germany, and has many modes of transportation. Since World War II, air travel has increased dramatically. Germany is also home to the Autobahn, the most elaborate roadway in the world. However, this comes as no surprise, as the automobile was first invented in Germany.

Germany is home to some great car companies such as BMW. Germany has also passed laws to require smog control devices to be implemented into German made cars. Germans also travel by train between cities, as this is most convenient. Within the city for short distances, bikes or pedestrian travel is very common. In fact, many downtown areas, being the first settled areas of the cities, are designated as F ussg " angerzonen, or pedestrian zones. This means there is no automobile travel permitted.

Germany is the world's largest exporting country, exporting an amazing $1.016 trillion in 2005 alone. Their main exports are vehicles, food, consumer electronics, electricity, textiles, machinery, chemicals, and metals. Germany is also the world's second largest importer, with their 2005 totals a staggering $801 billion. Germany imports many of the same things it exports, making it more of a trade of specific types of goods. Germany's main imports are machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals, food, and textiles. Due to its central location, Germany is a prime area for trade.

Germany's climate is a diverse one. From snow capped mountains to sandy beaches, they pretty much have it all. For the most part though, most of Germany is a cooler temperate climate. The Gulf Stream provides Germany with a mild climate.

The winters can be very cold for long periods of time and summer can be very warm, similar to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Berlin has an average temperature of 65^0 F in July and an average temperature of 30^0 F in January. Germany is a very interesting country with a very fascinating culture. The Germans have been around for a long time, and it looks like they will have a bright future.