Germany

Germany is found nestled in Central Europe, bordered by nine other countries. To the north of Germany are the North and Baltic Seas, on which it oversees a collection of 50 islands. Germany is made up of 16 smaller states, each with its own constitution. Beyond that, there are great cultural divides among these states, which have materialized over years of wars. Between the Germanic tribes of old, the conquest of Charlemagne, and the Holy Roman Empire, borders have constantly shifted and new territories have been incorporated or lost. Germany became what it is today after the union of Germany in 1871, spearheaded by Otto von Bismarck, though significant territory was ceded in the wake of the world wars. Another impactful event on German culture was the 40-year divide of the country into East and West Germany during the Cold War. East Germany, for the most part, is more industrial, less wealthy, and features Soviet-style architecture. At the center of this divided nation was the city of Berlin, which lay not on the border between East and West Germany, but in the middle of East Germany. Some other big cities in the country include Frankfurt, Munich, and Düsseldorf. Some major landmarks spread across these cities and around the country are the Brandenburg Gate, the Cologne Cathedral, and Neuschwanstein Castle. An interesting feature in Germany is the Autobahn, a highway system without any speed limits. This connects the northern agricultural regions of Germany, known for their production of rye and hops, with the mountainous, heavily forested regions of the south. In food, Germany is known for its variety of sausages and breads. Most of all, however, Germany is known for its love of beer, boasting 5,000 different brands. The nation is also very green, spearheading global conservation efforts with its wide use of solar and wind energy. In part because of pioneering efforts like this, Germany is the world's second most popular migration destination. It offers a very high standard of living to its population of more than 80 million, with tuition-free university and government-subsidized healthcare. The western region of Germany, Rhineland, is heavily influenced by France and is very Catholic. Northern Germans are often more reserved and are more sea-oriented, much like the Dutch or Danish. Bavarians are what most Americans picture when they think of Germans, known for sporting lederhosen, elaborate cuckoo clocks, and so on. There is a large Protestant community in Germany, with the Protestant Reformation actually being born out of Germany, and a notably large Muslim community too. Germans have made many important contributions to science, math, politics, and especially music. Despite all these achievements, Germans lack a sense of patriotism that would be expected as a result of Vergangenheitsbewältigung, which refers to a lingering sense of guilt from the past.