It is no surprise that Germany is a central hub for business and trade in the Northern hemisphere, and has been for many years. Germany has a well documented history, made famous by rich content of art, music, sports, food and drink, all held together by a proud Bavarian ancestry and culture.

Germany has a hugely diverse landscape, with stunning cityscapes, beautiful meandering rivers that glide through the lush green countryside, all the way down to the Alpine peaks that link Germany to France, Austria, and Switzerland. It is quite clear why Germany attracts many travellers each year, as the lively lifestyle, which provides a platform for Germany being on the forefront for the arts in many forms, and dazzling landscapes which entrance visitors, present a perfect combination.

Fun Facts

• Berlin’s Zoologischer Garten is the largest zoo in the world, both in terms of number of species (1,500) and animal population (14,000)
• Germans are the second largest beer consumers in the world, after the Irish (of course)
• The longest word published in the German language is Donaudampfschifffahrtselektrizitätenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengesellschaft (79 letters). A little bit of a tongue twister!

Travel Highlights

• Visit the historic island city of Lindau on the Austrian, German and Swiss border
• Take part in an imlportant part of Bavarian culture at the annual Oktoberfest celebrations
• Visit Neuschwanstein, the castle that inspired the world famous Disneyland castlesExperience the amazing nightlife in Berlin, one of Europes top party destinations
• Take a cruise down the majestic river Rhine

Where is Germany?

Germany is situated in the central western part of Europe. Germany shares borders with no less than 9 different countries, with a coastline to the north of the country with the Baltic Sea to the north east, and the North Sea to the north west. Germany shares international boundaries with Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and to the west you will find France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Germany has an extremely diverse terrain, spanning from the lowlands in the northern areas of the country, to the uplands of the central part of the country, to the Bavarian Alps, a mountainous region in the southern area of the country. This diversity means that Germany attracts a range of travellers, each looking for their own Bavarian luxury.

Climate in Germany

Germany is on the whole considered to have a temperate climate, with humid westerly winds pushing warm air around the country during the a summer periods, making for an attractive average temperature of around approx. 25°C in the lowland and upland areas of the country. Winters in Germany can vary, with some areas of the country experiencing chilling cold and heavy snow-fall, the upland areas tend to be milder, and the Alpine regions experiencing snow covered peaks and bitter winds. The capital city, Berlin experiences average winter lows of 28.6°F (-1.9°C), and average summer highs of 74.7°F (23.7°C).

Language in Germany

Unsurprisingly, Germany’s official language is German, with German being the most widely spoken language throughout the country. The German language is a strong language within the European Union, as the language is commonly spoken in Austria and Switzerland, with German speakers also inhabiting areas in Eastern Belgium, the French region of Alsace-Lorraine, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, and some regions of northern Italy.

German is a significant language with approx. 100 million native speakers, and approx. 80 million non-native speakers, worldwide. German is taught throughout the EU, with many French and Eastern European students learning German in schools. It is deemed an important language, being one of the three working languages of the European Commission, and the official language of the European Union as a whole. Approx. 15% of all EU nationals speak the German language!

People of Germany

Germany has a population of approx. 82 million people, of which some 7 million of its citizens does not have their origins in Germany. This relatively large percentage of the total population being migrants living in Germany makes for a hugely diverse mix of ethnic minorities, religions, traditions and dialects.

The German people are a proud race of a rich and passionate Bavarian culture and history. This can been seen in their festivals, such as Oktoberfest, which attracts many people from around the world each year, and their fine art, music and cuisine that are evident throughout the country. From the musical symphonies of Bach and Beethoven, to the sporting prowess of decades of German national football teams, Germans are certainly proud of their heritage, and as the country propels into the future as a economic powerhouse, it is easy to see why more and more people are migrating to Germany and learning the German language.

Travelling in Germany

Travelling in Germany is an extremely straight forward process. With a superior transport infrastructure including one of the oldest motorways in the world, the Autobahn, a highly efficient train network, taxis, trams, buses and planes, getting around a country could not be easier.

Your in-country coordinator will be on hand to let you know the best way to get to wherever you want to travel to in Germany. Whether you want to experience the thrills of the Bavarian Alps, the tranquil beauty of the River Rhine, or the amazing nightlife of the capital city, Berlin, there is so much to keep you entertained in the intoxicating country.

Gap Years and Career Breaks in Germany

Spend your time in Germany during you gap year or career break, and experience the diverse land culture and enthralling history that encompasses this immense country. Germany has become one of the top destinations for a range of travellers, whether you are looking for fun and excitement of peace and tranquillity, you will certainly be engulfed by the splendour of this pivotal nation at the centre of Europe’s business and economic success!