Germany

Introduction to Germany

Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Deutschland or Bundesrepublik Deutschland is one of the world's leading industrialised countries, located in Europe. It is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea, to the east by Poland and the
Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Germany is a democratic federal
parliamentary nation, made up of 16
(federal) states (Bundesländer), which in
certain spheres act independently of the Federation. Germany was formed in 1871, after the Franco-Prussian War, which united a scattering of independent states into an empire.

The Federal Republic of Germany is a member state of the United Nations, NATO, the G8 and the G4 nations, and is a founding member of what is now the European Union. It is the European Union's most populous and most economically powerful member.

Since reunification Germany has resumed its role as a major centre between Scandinavia in the north and the Mediterranean region in the south, as well as between the Atlantic west and the countries of central and eastern Europe.

The territory of Germany stretches from the high mountains of the Alps (highest point: the Zugspitze at 2,962 m) in the south to the shores of the North Sea in the north-west and the Baltic Sea in the north-east. In between are found the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: Neuendorfer/Wilstermarsch at 3.54 metres below sea level), traversed by some of Europe's major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.

Due to its central location Germany has more neighbours than any other European country; these are Denmark in the north, Poland and the Czech Republic in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France and Luxembourg in the south-west and Belgium and the Netherlands in the north-west.

Cultural notes about Germany

Generally speaking, the communication patterns in Germany are not much different from those in Canada. Maybe people need a little bit longer to warm up. To make friends will take longer as it would in Canada. People seem sometimes more reserved than in Canada, and this is more pronounced in the North of Germany than in the South.

You always address people you meet for the first time with the polite form, and their last name. The Germans have (like in French) a special formal form, called ’Sie-Form’ or ’Hõflichkeitsform’ (polite form) in German. Normally you stick with it until you are told you should say ’Du’ (’Du-Form’ or ’Umgangs-form’ - informal), or you are part of a clique of young people, who all address each other with ’Du’. As a rule of thumb, women will generally be the ones to offer the use of the ’Du’-form to men as will older people to younger. The ’Du-Form’ is always used with the first name. (You say ’Frau or Herr Schmitt’ and ’Sie’—or ’Anne’ or ’Michael’ and ’Du’).

Discussion topics would be very similar to Canada; there is nothing that would raise controversy right away. Asking people about themselves (without being too personal) to get a feeling of their situation, and listening carefully to what they like and dislike is always a good idea.

There is nothing really special that should be avoided, and normally humour will be understood and appreciated.

Official Canadian government advisories for travelling to, in and around Germany

Most Canadian visitors to Germany do not experience problems. Violent crime is rare but can occur, especially in major cities or high-risk areas, including train stations and airports. Street crime, such as mugging, pickpocketing, and purse-snatching, occurs. Exercise normal safety precautions and ensure personal belongings, passports, and other travel documents are secure at all times. Extremist youth gangs are a threat, particularly in urban areas and the new German states (Bundesländer). Members have been known to harass or attack individuals for racial reasons or because they appear to be foreign. Avoid political demonstrations and protests, as they can turn violent.