Germany is a state in Central Europe, bordered by Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and France. The country's shores are washed by the Baltic and North Seas. The total area is 357.6 thousand square kilometers, ranking it 62nd in the world. The capital of Germany is Berlin. The state is a parliamentary republic, headed by the Chancellor and President, and is a federation in terms of its administrative-territorial structure. It consists of 16 equal federal states. Germany is part of the Schengen Zone, allowing entry with a single Schengen visa, and is one of the founders of the European Union. The currency of Germany is the euro, and the official language is German. The country is considered one of the most developed economies in the world and an example of effective power distribution between the central and local administrations.
Climate Conditions
Germany is located in a temperate climate zone. In the north, the climate is maritime, while in the south it transitions to temperate continental. As a result, the weather can be changeable and may shift rapidly. However, severe droughts, storms, hurricanes, extreme heat, or frosts are rare.
The hottest month is July, with an average temperature of +14 to +22 degrees Celsius in the valleys, while in the mountains, the average temperature is lower. The coldest month is January, with an average temperature ranging from +4 degrees in the valleys to -5 degrees Celsius in the mountains.
Demographics
Germany has a population of 84.4 thousand people, placing it 16th in the world by population. In recent years, there has been stable population growth, primarily due to migration, as the birth rate remains low. The average life expectancy in the country is 80.6 years: 78.1 years for men and 83.2 years for women. The majority of the population (41.7%) is aged 25-54 years. However, Germany can be considered an aging country, as the second largest age group consists of people over 65 years (21.1%), followed by the elderly aged 54-65 years (13.6%). Youth aged 15-24 years make up only 10.6% of the population. Children account for about 13% of the total population.
Germany is a mono-national country, with Germans making up 92% of the population. The remaining 8% consists of other ethnic groups, such as Turks, Italians, Greeks, and people from the former Yugoslavia. In the cities, one can also find Poles, Russians, Czechs, Austrians, and Spaniards.
Economy
Germany ranks 6th in the world by GDP. It leads in several industrial and technological sectors and is one of the largest importers and exporters of goods (3rd place). The country has a high standard of living (6th place globally). Germany places great emphasis on technological development and is home to 10 of the world's 100 scientific clusters.
Germany is a post-industrial country, with the service sector accounting for about 70% of its economy (two-thirds of GDP), the industrial sector for 29%, and agriculture for only 1% of GDP. The country's energy sector relies on thermal power plants, which produce 70% of the total energy. Nuclear power plants are also significant, generating 28% of the necessary electricity, while hydroelectric power plants provide the remaining 2%. This is due to the low hydro potential in the country.
The foundation of the secondary sector of the economy is mechanical engineering. Germany is home to many car factories known worldwide, including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Opel, and Volkswagen. The main production facilities are located in Cologne, Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart. Mining equipment is actively produced in Düsseldorf and Duisburg, while Berlin is the center of electrical engineering.
Freedom of Travel (Visa-Free Countries)
The German passport is one of the strongest in the TOP of the strongest , it is located on the 2nd place of the rating. German citizens can visit 177 countries without spending time on full visa procedures. For 137 countries, no visa is needed at all — entry is granted with a German passport. Another 40 countries issue visas upon arrival. And only 21 countries require an application for an entry and residence permit in the standard procedure - with an application to the consulate and consideration of the request.