Everything you need to know about Germany: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Germany: Europe's Powerhouse and Teutonic Country
The history of Germany was nurtured by some of the world's most infamous dictator's like Bismarck and Hitler. Bismarck, a conservative, monarchist, and militaristic Prussian prime minister unified all of Germany before World War I. Hitler, the fanatical nationalist took up the initiative to extend the territorial boundaries of Germany and to include other countries such as Austria. The Nazi party led by Hitler executed millions of innocent Jews that is popularly termed as the ?holocaust'. In the year 1999, Germany joined NATO and is also a G-8 member. After the end of the cold war East and West Germany were reunited after breaking the Berlin wall.
Germany Fast Facts :
Germany Geography, Climate and Economy :
The terrain of Germany consists of plains and lowlands in the north, uplands in the central part and the Bavarian Alps highlands in the south. The major rivers of Germany consist of Rhine, the Oder, the Weser and the Elbe. The highest point is located at a height of 2,963 m at Zugspitze and the lowest at Neuendorf bei Wilster at a depth of -3.54 m.
The climate of Germany is temperate and marine characterized by cool and wet winters and warm summers. The northern part of Germany receives rainfall throughout the year and the climate is oceanic with mild winters and cool summers. While the eastern part has continental features having long and cold winters along with warm summers.
Germany's economy is the fifth largest in the world in terms of PPP. It is the world's foremost merchandise exporter and the total exports accounts to one-third of the national output. It is one of the world's technology leaders with an prosperous economy. Its natural resources include natural gas, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, coal, lignite, iron ore and construction materials.
Culture and Cuisine of Germany:
Germany is known for producing world-class intellectuals and philosophers who have contributed significantly to the world. Since the year 2006, it has called itself the ?Land of ideas'. Its culture has been influenced by both religious and secular currents of Europe. The world-renowned music composers such as Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach and many others have originated from Germany. The architectural designs of Carolingian and Ottonian styles belong to Germany.
The cuisine of German has wide varieties having the influences of the nearby countries such as Switzerland and Austria. The main German dishes include different varieties of meat like pork, beef and poultry. The German wines are popular worldwide and beer is its national alcoholic drink. Besides this, the desserts of Germans are particularly famous and Berliners is a typical German pastry, which is deliciously made.
Tourist Sites in Germany:
Berlin, the capital city of Germany is one of the oldest cities preserving some historical relics belonging to the past centuries. Besides this, one can explore the sites of Reichstag and Bundeskanzleramt to know about the country's rich cultural heritage. The coastal lines along the North and Baltic Sea attracts the tourists for surfing and viewing the scenic sites which enthralls the onlookers. The Hanseatic towns of northern Germany and the Episcopal cities and splendid cathedrals of the south tempt the visitors to explore more.
Some Other German Tourist Attractions are :
PM Modi twitted about his tours to the France, Germany and Canada from 10th April 2015 to 16th April, 2015.
London, May 3 (IANS) Real Madrid won the Spanish soccer league title for the 32nd time, their first time in four years. It was also coach Jose Mourinho's first here and seventh in four different countries.
Nanjing, May 2 (Xinhua-ANI): A shipyard operated by Sinotrans and CSC Holdings Co., Ltd. has signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian billionaire Clive Palmer to build a replica of the Titanic, the shipyard confirmed Wednesday.
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Beijing, May 2 (IANS) A Chinese shipyard is planning to build a replica of the Titanic that sank in the Atlantic in 1912 with more than 1,500 people on board. The accident was immortalized in a movie by the same name with Leonardo diCaprio and Kate Winslet starring in leading roles.
The Hague, May 2 (IANS) Dutch government officials and the royal family said they would not attend Euro 2012 Football Championships in Ukraine if the condition of imprisoned former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko do not improve, the outgoing Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal told local newspapers Wednesday.
London, May 2 (ANI): Youngsters in Germany are being adversely affected by the worries about money, jobs and the recession, that concerns their parents.
Berlin, May 2(ANI): A group of radical Muslims, also referred to as Salafist jihadists, attacked police in the German city of Solingen on Tuesday during a far-right rally, which displayed anti-Islamic cartoons.
Washington, May 1 (ANI): Hundreds of internal Al-Qaeda documents embedded inside a pornographic movie on a memory disk, seized from a 22-year-old Austrian, have revealed plots of carrying out attacks in Europe similar to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
London, May 1 (IANS) The four-nation London Olympics Hockey Test event will commence at the Olympic Park here Wednesday with India pitted against World Champions Australia in their opening match.
Washington, May 1 (ANI): Barack Obama's sister Auma, who was raised in Africa, has written a new memoir tracing their family's ties back in Kenya.
Beijing, May 1 (IANS) China has called for increasing imports and stabilising exports in order to promote a more balanced growth in foreign trade, a media report said Tuesday.
Washington, May 1 (IANS) Over a hundred Al Qaeda documents embedded inside a pornographic movie have revealed plots of carrying out terror strikes in Europe similar to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks that left 166 people dead.
Melbourne, May 1 (ANI): A man in Germany was left in tears after he was forced to repeatedly give pleasure to a nymphomaniac.
Washington, May 1 (IANS) Hundreds of internal Al Qaeda documents embedded inside a pornographic movie on a memory disk have revealed plots of carrying out attacks in Europe similar to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Tehran, April 30 (IANS) The veto-wielding powers of the UN Security Council should work for the removal of sanctions against Iran, an Iranian lawmaker said Monday.
London, April 30 (IANS) Being nice to your boss always pays, including better prospects and promotions, even if your are neither too bright nor suitable for the job, according to an international business survey.
Tehran, April 30 (IANS) Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi is hopeful that the next round of nuclear talks between the country and the world powers would be fruitful, ISNA news agency reported.
Yangon, Apr 29 (Xinhua-ANI): German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle arrived Yangon Sunday as part of his trip to Southeast Asia to start a new chapter of cooperation with Myanmar, official sources said.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 29 (IANS) The Kerala Tourism advertisement campaign 'Your Moment is Waiting' has won the bronze medal at the prestigious Prague International Advertising Festival (PIAF) in the category of 'state as an advertiser.'
Mumbai, April 29 (IANS) Afflicted by misgovernance and corruption, India's global clout has waned over the past year but could swing back if the economy regains its growth trajectory, says a geopolitical power index (GPI) report by an independent Mumbai-based think tank.
Tehran, April 28 (IANS) Iran's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said Tehran and the UN nuclear watchdog have agreed to hold a new round of talks on the nuclear issue May 13-14, the IRNA news agency reported.
Berlin, April 28 (IANS) The German Football Federation (DFB) will not bid for the 2020 European Championships, ruling out the speculation of a bid.
Berlin, April 28 (IANS) Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka had to exert every ounce of her energy to beat German wild card Mona Barthel 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5 in a match that lasted nearly three hours at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany.
New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) The Indian men's hockey team left here for London Friday to take part in a four-nation Olympic test event ahead of the 2012 Games.
London, Apr 27 (ANI): Feeling sad or watching while receiving an injection may make pain an even more unpleasant experience, a pair of studies have claimed.
London, April 26 (ANI): A Swiss woman starved to death after embarking on a spiritual journey which involved giving up food and water and attempting to exist on nothing but sunlight.
Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), April 26 (Xinhua-ANI): Asia's first Legoland is set to open for business on Sept. 15 in Malaysia's southern state of Johor, bringing a new tourist attraction to the country.
London, April 26 (ANI): A good relationship with your boss will help you if you're aiming to climb the company ladder.
London, April 26 (ANI): A good relationship with your boss will help you if you're aiming to climb the company ladder.
Kuala Lumpur, April 26 (IANS) Asia's first Legoland is coming up in Malaysia's southern state of Johor, bringing a new tourist attraction to the country.
London, April 25 (IANS) A mosquito from Asia that spreads tropical diseases, including dengue fever, may soon hit the shores of Britain because of climate change, experts have said.
London, April 25(ANI): Adolf Hiter's autobiography Mein Kampf - a hate-filled book post-war Germany has fought to keep out of the bookshops - is set to make a comeback in schools 67 years after the last copy of it was printed in the country.
Copenhagen, April 25 (IANS) Denmark's national football team has been banned from using Twitter and other social media sites during the upcoming European Championships 2012, the country's governing body for the game has said.
London, April 24 (ANI): To mark the 132nd birth anniversary of Gideon Sundback, Google posted an interactive doodle that features a full-length zipper running down the centre of the global search engine's home page on Tuesday.
Berlin, April 24 (IANS) Videogame technology has significant benefits for older adults by providing cognitive stimulation and being a source of social interaction, exercise, and fun, say two new studies.
Hannover (Germany), April 23 (Xinhua-ANI): Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here Monday China will adhere to the opening-up and reform policy, and welcome foreign investment.
London, April 23 (IANS) Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic won their reverse singles matches to take Serbia into the Fed Cup final for the first time, beating Russia 3-2.
Mumbai, April 23 (IANS) India's wind turbine manufacturing major Suzlon Energy Monday said its group subsidiary REpower Systems has bagged cumulative orders worth $387 million across Europe over a two-month period, excluding orders announced separately.
Paris, April 22 (IANS) Here are key facts on France, where voting in the first round of the 2012 French presidential election took place Sunday.
Tehran, April 22 (Xinhua-ANI): Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al- Maliki arrived in Tehran on Sunday for an official two-day visit.
Washington, April 22 (ANI): The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that thousands of web users worldwide could lose Internet access after a hackers 'adverting scam infected computers.
London, Apr 21 (ANI): Golfer Rory McIlroy and his tennis player girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki, who are at the top of their sporting game, appear to be very much in love.
London, Apr 21 (ANI): Video-sharing site YouTube could be forced to pay a huge royalties bill after a German court ruled that the website must take down copyrighted music clips.
Lisbon, April 20 (IANS) Sporting Lisbon defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League football semifinals here.
Geneva, April 20 (IANS) The FIFA Referees Committee has confirmed the appointment of 84 officials from 36 countries to officiate at the 2012 London Olympic football tournaments.
Geneva, April 19 (Xinhua-ANI): The FIFA Referees Committee has confirmed Thursday the appointment of 84 officials from 36 countries to officiate at the 2012 London Olympic football tournaments.
Miami, April 20 (IANS/EFE) A Jewish family who this week recovered a 16th century painting stolen by the Nazis during World War II announced Thursday that they are putting the piece up for sale.
Berlin, April 20 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A German woman who claimed she was Norwegian mass killer Anders Breivik's lover has been deported from Norway.
London, Apr 19 (ANI): Although cosmic rays were discovered 100 years ago, their origin has mystified physicists since long.
London, Apr 19 (ANI): Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho is fully confident about his team's chances to overturn the first leg 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, and reach the Champions League final.
Sydney, April 19 (IANS) A breakthrough could boost the output of low cost solar cells in rooftop panels by a whopping 40 percent, making them much more viable as an alternative energy source.
Tehran, April 18 (Xinhua-ANI): Iranian Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said Wednesday that he is hopeful about the results of next round of nuclear talks between Iran and five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5+1), which is scheduled to on May 23 in Baghdad, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
London, Apr 18 (ANI): A pictured postcard Austrian village 'F*****g' is being forced to bow to the power of the English language by changing its name.
London, April 16 (IANS) In a bid to help childless women become mothers, a 42-year-old Dutch man launched a free "baby making" service nine years ago. The man has sex with 15 women every month, and has fathered 82 children so far.
Tehran, Apr 16 (ANI): Iran has agreed to the formation of concrete proposals by diplomats for resolving the crisis over its nuclear ambitions.
Copenhagen, April 16 (IANS) Former World No.1, Caroline Wozniacki saw her winning streak at the Danish Open come to an end as Angelique Kerber of Germany downed the Dane 6-4, 6-4 to clinch the title here.
London, April 16 (ANI): Scientists are trying to build human brain using the world's most powerful computer.
Kabul, April 16 (IANS) The synchronised terror attack launched by the Taliban in Kabul is over and all attackers have been killed following an overnight operation that saw a string of explosions Monday morning, authorities said.
Kabul, April 16 (IANS) A string of explosions rocked Kabul early Monday as security forces overnight battled Taliban militants who staged a wave of coordinated gun and rocket attacks, a media report said.
Kabul, April 16 (IANS) Fighting was on Monday morning in Afghanistan's capital city of Kabul where Taliban militants have staged a wave of coordinated gun and rocket attacks, the BBC reported.
Moscow, April 16 (IANS) As Taliban launched a coordinated wave of assaults Sunday in Afghanistan by targetting embassies of the US and Germany, Russia clarified that its embassy had not been attacked.
Istanbul, April 15 (IANS) Talks between six world powers and Iran on its nuclear programme have been described as "constructive and useful" by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton.
Sydney, Apr 15 (ANI): A new Formula One movie is set to be made, which will be based on one of the greatest rivalries of the sport.
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Easter just went by with people the world over celebrating the resurrection of Christ three days after being crucified on Good Friday. It also provided an opportunity to the hospitality industry to showcase various kinds of goodies including some innovative confections - a tradition that is fast catching up in India as well.
Tehran, Apr 15 (ANI): Iran and six world powers have successfully conducted their first 'constructive' talks over Tehran's Iran's nuclear programme.
London, April 14 (IANS) Key talks involving six major countries and Iran on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme, which resumed Saturday in Istanbul after a 15-month impasse, were described as "positive", even as Iran refused a request from the US for a bilateral meeting.
London, April 14 (IANS) Key talks involving six major countries and Iran on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme, which resumed Saturday after a 15-month impasse, have been described as "positive" by a European Union official.
London, April 14 (IANS) Key talks involving six major countries and Iran on Tehran's controversial nuclear programme, which resumed Friday after a 15-month impasse, have been described as "positive" by a European Union official.
London, April 14 (IANS) A man was forced to escape onto an apartment balcony and call the police for help after his lover refused to let him go - because she wanted more sex.
Sydney, April 14 (IANS) Over 3,000 personal items - mostly wallets, photos and wristwatches - that were stripped from prisoners on their way to Nazi concentration camps in Germany will now be displayed at a Jewish museum here in Australia.
Taking a leapfrog from Europe to India, a Netherland based wrist watch mobile phone making company on Friday has put its first step in India by opening its three outlets in capital and capital region and launching its some models to attract customers........
Copenhagen, April 14 (IANS) Former World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki advanced to the semi-finals of the Copenhagen WTA tournament after beating Alice Cornet of France 6-0, 6-3 in the quarter-finals.
Moscow, April 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian warships will be continuously deployed for patrol duty off the Syrian coast in the Mediterranean, a defence ministry official said Friday.
Washington, April 12 (ANI): Humans' fear level toward threats may be determined by the typical size of our social circles, a new study has revealed.
Washington, April 12 (ANI): Ant queens lay more eggs as they get older, researchers have found.
Madrid, April 12 (IANS) Spain retained first position in the newly-released FIFA rankings but the Netherlands, which were second in March, dropped to fourth, while Germany and Uruguay moved up to the second and third positions, respectively.
Washington, April 12 (IANS) India has taken a leap in the clean energy race with a 54 percent increase in investments in 2011 vaulting it from 10th to sixth place in the G-20 in just one year, according to a new study.
Tehran, April 12 (IANS) Iran is plannig to cut imports from 100 European companies in response to Western sanctions against its oil exports, a media report said Wednesday.
Tehran, April 12 (IANS) Iran has said it will attend the planned nuclear talks in Istanbul later this week but will not compromise on its right to atomic energy.
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The Indian Railways Tuesday said it will shortly finalise a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its German counterpart on increasing their cooperation.
Dubai, April 9 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Germany have held talks ahead of their joint economic ministerial committee meet in Germany.
Washington, Apr 9 (ANI): Researchers have shed light on why is the tradition of Easter Bunny so ingrained in Easter Sunday and how is it tied with the resurrection of Jesus.
London, Apr 8 (ANI): A French plumber, believed to be Hitler's grandson, has revealed how his father broke the news of their ancestry to him over the dinner table.
London, Apr 8 (ANI): Rudolph Hess believed that the Jews had hypnotised Winston Curchill into taking a negative stance towards Nazi Germany, the Deputy Nazi leader's recently discovered psychiatric records have revealed.
London, April 7 (IANS) Three German students are offering a gigolo service to female students to 'help' them beat stress and improve their grades.
London, Apr 7 (ANI): Three male German business students are offering free sex service to female students claiming that it could help their clients beat stress and improve grades.
In a surprising but secret move US has hinted that Tehran can have a civilian nuclear programme if it never pursues a nuclear weapon.
Washington, April 7 (IANS) In a secret message sent through a foreign leader to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US President Barack Obama hinted that Tehran can have a civilian nuclear programme if it never pursues a nuclear weapon, a media report said.
London, Apr 6 (ANI): The amount of oil consumed makes absolutely no difference on the incidence of heart disease, a new study has claimed.
Havana, April 6 (IANS) The number of visitors to Cuba this year reached one million Thursday.
London, Apr 6 (ANI): A biography of Hitler written by a historian and broadcaster has started a bitter public feud between him and a Third Reich expert who accused the writer of "repellent arrogance" in publishing the book.
Moscow, April 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) More than two-thirds of the Russian population -- 70 percent -- has never been to countries outside the former Soviet Union, independent pollster Levada has found.
New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is carrying the inter-cultural dialogue between India and the west forward with an exposition of multi-media and performance art by one of the stalwarts of new age western art Rebecca Horn from April 7.
Madrid, April 5 (IANS) Real Madrid qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 5-2 win over Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia while Chelsea edged past Portuguese club Benfica and will face defending champions Barcelona in the last four.
Washington, April 5 (IANS) US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said the time for diplomacy with Iran over its disputed nuclear programme is not "infinite".
Tehran, April 4 (IANS) Iran has expressed hope of results emerging from the next round of nuclear talks between the country and the world powers, Mehr news agency reported.
Vatican City, April 4 (IANS/AKI) The pope can't cook but knows how to wash dishes following dinner and practices addresses with a tape recorder, according to his older brother.
A recent study has revealed that the practice of converting farmland to produce bio-energy crops can be harmful to the wildlife.
Berlin, April 4 (IANS) Converting farmland to grow bio-energy crops could be ruinous to wildlife, says a study.
Washington, April 3 (ANI): Consuming a diet low in energy density may be an effective strategy for managing body weight, suggest researchers.