Germany

As Europe’s largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent’s economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.

🇩🇪 Germany Tourism Information…

Germany Travel

Germany 101

Tourism DE

Live Like a German

🇩🇪 The Best of Germany…

Here is a brake down of some of the most interesting and visited places by region. Cities or areas listed will always have more than just one thing see and do. With the popular cities or areas we list some of the best known, which should go on everyone’s, must see list when they visit.  

Eastern Germany
Central Germany
Northern Germany
Southern Germany
Western Germany

🇩🇪 Germany Country Information…

Capital:

Berlin

Largest City:

Berlin

Government:

Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Republic

Currency:

Euro (€)

Area:

Total: 357,022 km ranked 63rd water: 8,350 km land: 348,672 km

Climate:

Temperate, and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasionally warm mountain (foehn) wind

Population:

80,722,792 (July 2016 est.) ranked 19th

Language:

German (official): note Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romany are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romany are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages

Ethnic Groups:

German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish)

Religion:

Protestant 34%, Roman Catholic 34%, Muslim 3.7%, unaffiliated or other 28.3%

Electricity:

230V, 50Hz (European plug C,F)

Telephone Code:

+49

Local Emergency Phone Number:

Ambulance & Fire 112; Police: 110

Internet TLD:

.de

Time Zone:

CET (UTC+1) / Summer CEST (UTC+2) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October

Road DrivingSide:

Right

Anthem:

“Das Lied der Deutschen” (Song of the Germans)

Motto:

“Einigkeit ind Recht ind Freheit” (Unity and Justice and Freedom)

Chancellor:

Angela Merkel

Prime Minister:

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

🇩🇪 Holidays and Observances in Germany in 2021…

Date NameTypeDetails
Jan 1FridayNew Year’s DayNational holiday 
Jan 6WednesdayEpiphanyObservance, ChristianNDS*, SN, TH
Jan 6WednesdayEpiphanyCommon local holidayBW, BY, ST
Jan 22FridayFranco-German DayObservance 
Jan 27WednesdayRemembrance Day for the Victims of National SocialismObservance 
Jan 28ThursdayEuropean Privacy DayObservance 
Feb 10WednesdayChildren’s Hospice DayObservance 
Feb 14SundayValentine’s DayObservance 
Feb 15MondayShrove MondayObservance 
Feb 16TuesdayCarnival / Shrove TuesdayObservance 
Feb 16TuesdayHizir FastObservanceBremen, Hamburg
Feb 17WednesdayCarnival / Ash WednesdaySilent Day 
Mar 8MondayInternational Women’s DayObservanceAll except B
Mar 8MondayInternational Women’s DayCommon local holidayBerlin
Mar 17WednesdaySt. Patrick’s DayObservance, Christian 
Mar 18ThursdayAnniversary of the March RevolutionObservanceBerlin
Mar 20SaturdayMarch EquinoxSeason 
Mar 21SundayAlevitic New YearObservanceBremen, Hamburg
Mar 28SundayPalm SundayObservance, Christian 
Mar 28SundayFirst Day of PassoverObservance, HebrewBY, HB, SL
Mar 28SundayDaylight Saving Time startsClock change/Daylight Saving Time 
Mar 29MondaySecond Day of PassoverObservance, HebrewBY, HB, SL
Apr 1ThursdayMaundy ThursdayObservance, ChristianAll except BY, HE, NRW, RLP, SL
Apr 1ThursdayMaundy ThursdaySilent DayBY, HE, NRW, RLP, SL
Apr 2FridayGood FridayNational holiday, Christian 
Apr 2FridaySixth Day of PassoverObservance, HebrewBY, HB, SL
Apr 3SaturdayHoly SaturdaySilent DayBY, HE, NDS, RLP
Apr 3SaturdaySeventh Day of PassoverObservance, HebrewBY, HB, SL
Apr 4SundayEaster SundayObservance, ChristianAll except BB
Apr 4SundayEaster SundayChristian, Common local holidayBrandenburg
Apr 5MondayEaster MondayNational holiday, Christian 
Apr 22ThursdayGirls’ Day / Boys’ DayObservance 
Apr 23FridayGerman Beer DayObservance 
Apr 30FridayWalpurgis NightObservance 
May 1SaturdayMay DayNational holiday 
May 5WednesdayEurope Day (Council of Europe)Observance 
May 8SaturdayAnniversary of the End of World War IIObservanceB, BB, HB, MVP, TH
May 9SundayMother’s DayObservance 
May 9SundayEurope Day (European Union)Observance 
May 13ThursdayFather’s DayObservance 
May 13ThursdayAscension DayNational holiday, Christian 
May 13ThursdayEid ul FitrObservance, MuslimBremen, Hamburg
May 17MondayFirst Day of ShavuotObservance, HebrewBY, HB, SL
May 18TuesdaySecond Day of ShavuotObservance, HebrewBY, HB, SL
May 23SundayWhit SundayChristian, Common local holidayBrandenburg
May 23SundayWhit SundayObservance, ChristianAll except BB
May 23SundayConstitution DayObservance 
May 24MondayWhit MondayNational holiday, Christian 
Jun 1TuesdayInternational Childrens’ DayObservance 
Jun 3ThursdayCorpus ChristiChristian, Common local holidayBW, BY, HE, NRW, RLP, SL, SN*, TH*
Jun 3ThursdayEuropean Bicycle DayObservance 
Jun 6SundayVisually Impaired People DayObservance 
Jun 17ThursdayRemembrance of the Victims of SED InjusticeObservanceThuringia
Jun 17ThursdayAnniversary of the Popular Uprising in the GDRObservanceBerlin
Jun 20SundayCar-free SundayObservance 
Jun 21MondayJune SolsticeSeason 
Jun 24ThursdaySt. JohnObservance, ChristianSaxony
Jun 26SaturdayArchitecture DayObservance 
Jun 29TuesdaySt Peter and PaulObservance, ChristianSaxony
Jul 20TuesdayEid ul AdhaObservance, MuslimBremen, Hamburg
Aug 8SundayPeace Festival in AugsburgLocal holidayBavaria**
Aug 15SundayAssumption of MaryObservance, ChristianSaxony, Thuringia
Aug 15SundayAssumption of MaryChristian, Common local holidayBavaria*, Saarland
Aug 19ThursdayAshuraObservance, MuslimBremen, Hamburg
Sep 1WednesdayAnti War DayObservance 
Sep 7TuesdayRosh HashanaObservance, HebrewBY, HB, NRW, SL
Sep 8WednesdaySecond Day of Rosh HashanaObservance, HebrewBY, HB, NRW, SL
Sep 11SaturdayGerman Language DayObservance 
Sep 12SundayEuropean Heritage DaysObservance 
Sep 16ThursdayYom KippurObservance, HebrewBY, HB, NRW, SL
Sep 20MondayGerman World Children’s DayObservance 
Sep 20MondayGerman World Children’s DayCommon local holidayThuringia
Sep 21TuesdayFirst day of SukkotObservance, HebrewBY, HB, SL
Sep 22WednesdaySecond Day of SukkotObservance, HebrewBY, HB, SL
Sep 22WednesdaySeptember EquinoxSeason 
Sep 26SundaySixth Day of SukkotObservance, HebrewBavaria
Sep 27MondaySeventh Day of SukkotObservance, HebrewBavaria
Sep 28TuesdayShemini AtzeretObservance, HebrewBremen, Saarland
Sep 29WednesdaySimchat TorahObservance, HebrewBremen
Oct 2SaturdayGerman Food Bank DayObservance 
Oct 3SundayDay of German UnityNational holiday 
Oct 3SundayHarvest FestivalObservance 
Oct 10SundayGrandparents’ DayObservanceBavaria
Oct 24SundayDay of the LibrariesObservance 
Oct 29FridayWorld Thrift DayObservance 
Oct 31SundayReformation DayCommon local holidayBB, HB, HH, MVP, NDS, SH, SN, ST, TH
Oct 31SundayReformation DayObservance, ChristianBremen, BW
Oct 31SundayHalloweenObservance 
Oct 31SundayDaylight Saving Time endsClock change/Daylight Saving Time 
Nov 1MondayAll Saints’ DaySilent Day, public holidayBW, BY, NRW, RLP, SL
Nov 1MondayAll Saints’ DayObservance, ChristianHB, NDS*, SN, TH
Nov 2TuesdayAll Souls’ DaySilent DayLower Saxony*
Nov 9TuesdayNight of Broken Glass Remembrance DayObservance 
Nov 9Tuesday9th of NovemberObservanceBerlin
Nov 9TuesdayFall of the Berlin WallObservance 
Nov 11ThursdaySt. Martin’s DayObservance, Christian 
Nov 14SundayNational Day of MourningSilent Day 
Nov 17WednesdayRepentance DayChristian, Common local holidaySaxony
Nov 17WednesdayRepentance DaySilent DayBY, SL, SN
Nov 17WednesdayRepentance DayObservance, ChristianBW, HE, NDS, RLP, TH
Nov 21SundaySunday of the DeadSilent Day 
Nov 28SundayFirst Advent SundayObservance, Christian 
Dec 5SundaySecond Advent SundayObservance, Christian 
Dec 6MondaySaint Nicholas DayObservance, Christian 
Dec 8WednesdayFeast of the Immaculate ConceptionObservance, ChristianSaxony
Dec 12SundayThird Advent SundayObservance, Christian 
Dec 19SundayFourth Advent SundayObservance, Christian 
Dec 19SundayRemembrance Day for Roma and Sinti killed by GenocideObservance 
Dec 21TuesdayDecember SolsticeSeason 
Dec 24FridayChristmas EveSilent Day 
Dec 25SaturdayChristmas DayNational holiday, Christian 
Dec 26SundayBoxing DayNational holiday, Christian 
Dec 31FridayNew Year’s EveBank holiday
 
Travel Facts

US State Dept. Travel Advisory:

The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.

Passport/Visa Requirements:

US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.

US Embassy/ Consulate:

[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/

Telephone Code:

44

Local Emergency Phone:

112, 999

Internet TLD:

.uk

Vaccinations:

See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int

Climate

Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast

Currency (Code)

British pounds (GBP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):

230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G

Major Languages:

English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish

Religions:

Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%

Time Zone

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories

Potable Water

Yes

International Driving Permit

Suggested

Road Driving Side

Left

Tourist Destinations

London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff

Major Sports

Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey

Cultural Practices

It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.

Tipping Guidelines

It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.

Government

Chief of State:

Queen ELIZABETH II

Government:

Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

Capital:

London

Largest City:

London

Legislature:

London

Judiciary:

London

Ambassador to US:

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham

US Ambassador:

Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV

Geography

Area:

Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km

Natural Resources:

Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land

People & Society

Population:

64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%

Population Growth:

0.51% (2018 est.)

Ethnic Groups:

White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)

Urbanization:

Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Economy

Economic Overview:

Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)

GDP per capita

$44,300 (2017 est.)

Exports:

$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)

Travel Facts

US State Dept. Travel Advisory:

The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.

Passport/Visa Requirements:

US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.

US Embassy/ Consulate:

[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/

Telephone Code:

44

Local Emergency Phone:

112, 999

Internet TLD:

.uk

Vaccinations:

See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int

Climate

Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast

Currency (Code)

British pounds (GBP)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):

230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G

Major Languages:

English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish

Religions:

Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%

Time Zone

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories

Potable Water

Yes

International Driving Permit

Suggested

Road Driving Side

Left

Tourist Destinations

London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff

Major Sports

Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey

Cultural Practices

It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.

Tipping Guidelines

It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.

Government

Chief of State:

Queen ELIZABETH II

Government:

Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy

Capital:

London

Largest City:

London

Legislature:

London

Judiciary:

London

Ambassador to US:

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham

US Ambassador:

Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV

Geography

Area:

Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km

Natural Resources:

Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land

People & Society

Population:

64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%

Population Growth:

0.51% (2018 est.)

Ethnic Groups:

White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)

Urbanization:

Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Economy

Economic Overview:

Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)

GDP per capita

$44,300 (2017 est.)

Exports:

$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)

Imports:

$615.9 billion (2017 est.)
partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017)