Overview
Located in the heart of Western Europe, Germany is the continent's most industrialized and populous country. Famed for its technological achievements, it has also produced some of Europe's most celebrated composers, philosophers and poets. Achieving national unity later than other European nations, Germany quickly caught up economically and militarily, before defeats in World War I and II left the country shattered, facing the difficult legacy of Nazism, and divided between Europe's Cold War blocs.
Map
Facts
| Full name | Federal Republic of Germany |
|---|---|
| Population | 82.5 million (UN, 2008) |
| Capital | Berlin |
| Area: | 357,027 sq km (137,849 sq miles) |
| Major language: | German |
| Major religion | Christianity |
| Life expectancy | 77 years (men), 82 years (women) (UN) |
| Monetary unit | 1 euro = 100 cents |
| Main exports: | Motor vehicles, electrical machinery, metals |
| GNI per capita | US $38,860 (World Bank, 2007) |
| Internet domain: | .de |
| International dialling code | +49 |
Knowledge
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Timeline: RussiaCountry profiles
Separatist rebels claim responsibility. 2003 March - Russians hail Chechen referendum vote in favour of a new constitution stipulating that the republic is part of the Russian Federation.
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History - Konrad Adenauer (1876-1967)History
The Soviets occupied the eastern zone of Germany and installed a Communist government. Adenauer was elected Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany on 15 September 1949.
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Science & Nature - Climate ChangeScience & Nature
People from all over the world downloaded the BBC climate change experiment.
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History - President Truman and the Origins of the Cold WarHistory
The President also defeated Stalin's 1948 blockade of western Berlin, intended to block formation of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), with an airlift of supplies into the city.
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Radio 4 Empire - The Scramble for Africa and the Congress of Berlin.Radio 4 Empire
A 90 part history of the British Empire. He helped provoke the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian War and was made a prince and Chancellor of the German Empire.
Blogs
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Polish spirit05 Jul 07 | Mark Mardell - The Reporters: Mark Mardell
The supra-nationalisation of German steel and coal. Some Germans feel that without their friendship and aid Poland wouldn't have been allowed in the club so soon. ...
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Georgia: Soft power and multilateralism tested to the limit13 Aug 08 | Paul Mason - Newsnight: Paul Mason
The EU is, in other words, strategically divided over its response to the Georgia-Russia war. In this context NATO has struggled to maintain unity on enlargement. ...
Around the web
News From Other Sources
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Research and Markets: The International...16 Jul 09 | Forbes.com
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TRANSCOM SECOND QUARTER 2009 RESULTS CONFERENCE...14 Jul 09 | TMC Net
Coming Up
TV
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Round 9 - SachsenringBBC Two, 19 Jul 09 12:50
Suzi Perry introduces live coverage of round nine of this season's MotoGP championship from the Sachsenring circuit in Germany.
Radio
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DoggerlandBBC Radio 4, 18 Jul 09 06:07
Helen Mark explores a land lost beneath the waves off the Northumbrian coast. âDoggerlandâ is the name for a huge area that, ten thousand years ago, before the end of the last Ice Age, ...
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Charlie Gillett's World Of MusicBBC World Service, 20 Jul 09 03:32
Number: RWEP13 Country: Germany Title: Solitaire Artist: 17 Hippies CD Title: El Dorado Label: Hipster Cat.
News
News Clips
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German children blighted by poverty16 Jul 09Across Germany, one in six children live in "relative poverty", which means in families whose monthly income is 60% or less of the national average.
Watch "German children blighted by poverty" now -
Alleged Nazi war criminal charged13 Jul 09Prosecutors in Germany have formally charged alleged Nazi war criminal John Demjanjuk with being an accessory to the murder of thousands of Jews in World War II. Steve Rosenberg reports.
Watch "Alleged Nazi war criminal charged" now -
Exports 'pillar of German economy'09 Jul 09Germany's economy minister says that exports are a pillar of the German economy.
Watch "Exports 'pillar of German economy'" now -
'World's oldest instrument' found01 Jul 09Archaeologists in Germany say they've found the world's oldest musical instrument.
Watch "'World's oldest instrument' found" now -
Hopes for German economic recovery22 Jun 09Germany's economy has suffered more than the UK or the US over the last six months, with overseas exports plunging, but there are signs that the worst could be over.
Watch "Hopes for German economic recovery" now
News Articles
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Afghanistan: Key facts and figures11 Jul 09 | UK
Can blend in with local population when required. Mastiff II Defences: Heavy armour and V-shaped hull to protect against roadside bombs and mines.
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G8 set to tackle hunger in Africa08 Jul 09 | BusinessThe G8 countries are the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, Canada and Russia.
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Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty30 Jun 09 | Europe
The Czech Republic, Germany and Poland have yet to do so. In Germany, despite parliamentary approval, the constitutional court has suspended ratification.
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Lisbon passes German court test30 Jun 09 | Europe
Germany's highest court says the Lisbon Treaty is compatible with German law - but calls for better safeguards.. A number of German MPs had asked the court to decide against the treaty.
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'Hundreds' going abroad for IVF29 Jun 09 | HealthMost patients in the survey were originally from Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and France.
Weather
Weather for Berlin
| Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conditions |  sunny |  heavy showers |  light showers |
| Max Temperature | Max:29°C/84°F | Max:18°C/64°F | Max:21°C/70°F |
| Min Temperature | Min:19°C/66°F | Min:14°C/57°F | Min:15°C/59°F |
Sport
Sport Articles
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GB win World Cup with two golds12 Jul 09The GB men's eight were fourth behind Germany and the lightweight men's four were last in their final.
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Sport quotes of the week08 Jul 09I'll hang it in my chalet in Switzerland." Roger Federer on his net gain at Wimbledon.
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Bolt storms to stunning victory07 Jul 09Bolt ran 19.59 seconds despite a strong headwind and heavy rain in Switzerland. Fellow Brit Germaine Mason was sixth in the high jump, which was won by Jaroslav Baba of the Czech Republic in 2.26m.
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Wimbledon day 11 as it happened03 Jul 09Roddick should have saved himself the embarassment and given murray the chance to beat Federer."
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Wimbledon day nine as it happened01 Jul 09Andy Roddick beats Lleyton Hewitt in five sets after Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Tommy Haas make it through to the semi-finals on day nine at Wimbledon..
Sport Clips
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Hitzlsperger praises Spanish passing29 Jun 08Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger says the quality of Spain's passing enabled them to keep the German's at bay after taking the lead in the Euro 2008 final.
Watch "Hitzlsperger praises Spanish passing" now -
Interview: Michael Ballack16 Jun 08Germany captain Michael Ballack is delighted to progress to the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 after beating Austria 1-0 despite a nervy performance.
Watch "Interview: Michael Ballack" now -
Pogatetz targets quarter-finals after draw12 Jun 08Austria's Emanuel Pogatetz believes his side can now reach the quarter-finals of Uefa Euro 2008 following the 1-1 draw with Poland, despite needing a win against Germany in the final group game.
Watch "Pogatetz targets quarter-finals after draw" now -
Bilic sees postives in narrow victory08 Jun 08Croatia coach Slaven Bilic insists his side will be ready to face Germany following their disappointing performance in the 1-0 win over Austria in Uefa Euro 2008.
Watch "Bilic sees postives in narrow victory" now -
Ballack relieved after opening win08 Jun 08Germany captain Michael Ballack is pleased with his side after they beat Poland 2-0 in their opening match of Uefa Euro 2008.
Watch "Ballack relieved after opening win" now
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