When people generally think of Germany, the first things that come to mind include The World Wars and the Nazis. However, when people really get to know Germany, they find out it's about so much more. Germany is home to roughly 82.3 million people, 25,000 castles, and 6,200 museums. It is rich in cuisine, history, art, tradition and a quality some would describe as magical. The German countrysides are at the heart of this country's beauty. They contain picturesque medieval villages accompanied by sprawling hills and tress, as seen in the Mosel Valley. The castles here look like they came straight out of a fairytale which adds to the mystical appeal of Germany. Countless fairytales have been regarded as taking place in the Black Forest such as the Brothers Grimm stories. In the more populated cities such as Munich or the capital of Berlin, bustling tourists and locals fill the streets, just wanting a piece of what Germany can offer. At Christmas time, Nuremberg hosts "one of the oldest traditional Christmas markets in Germany." "There you can find all types of foods and drinks, starting from gingerbread, grilled sausages, blueberry Glühwein, and beer" ("What is Germany Famous For..."). Of course, Germany is famous for their specialty in beer and the annual festival where the drink is the main attraction. Any time of day and any time of year, museums are a great way to catch up on some German history and marvel at great works of art in any of the thousands of museums in Germany. Just about every major city has museums, in fact, you can "walk to the center of any city and you'll find ten or twenty or so to choose from" (Smallwood). The Bode Museum sits in Berlin's famous Museum Island and its "treasures include the sculpture collection with works of art from the middle ages to the 18th century" ("Bode-Museum"). What makes Germany so beautiful is the dazzling fairytale scenery, its "deep-rooted and fascinating culture, which expresses itself in the architecture, in the music, in the literature, and in the philosophy" (Rösler).
Recently, the biggest challenges Germany is facing has to do with its economy and working population. As it stands, "one in five Germans is over the age of 65. By 2060, it's expected to be one in three" (Ferguson). The expected reason for the increasing number of senior citizens is that the baby boomer generation is at retirement age. However, as they are reaching that age, they continue to work which causes concern. Some fear of an increase in the retirement age or poverty among the elderly. A few solutions to this would be a big "baby boom" plus an increase in immigration. Unfortunately, it is not that simple. There is still an ongoing struggle because there are limits as to how much immigrants can get paid, and laws about immigrants coming from outside the EU put in place. Another issue Germany is facing is an economic decline. In brief, Germany's economy has been on the brink of recession before and now their GDP has gone down 0.1% sending the economy into the negatives. Chancellor Angela Merkel thinks there is no need to stabilize the economy because "the fiscal policy of the German government is already expansive" ("German Economy Slips Back Into Negative Growth"). "The development of foreign trade slowed down economic growth because exports recorded a stronger quarter-on-quarter decrease than imports," (German Economy...) the statistics office said. Specifically, China is a main export market for Germany and eventually Germany's exports decreased significantly. Germany's economy could certainly go into recession at any moment, but until mid-2020 decline rates will be of equal or lesser value.
Borrowed from: BBC
Borrowed from: Live Population
The People of Germany
Just like Germany's culture, the people are distinct, vibrant, unique and time-honored. Germans can be very passionate about the things they love. A lot partake in watching Germany's National Football Team by gathering in front of the big screen or at the game, and have a couple drinks and sausages. That's what the people of Germany are all about. Oktoberfest is another big tradition frequented by thousands of locals and tourists every year. "Oktoberfest dates back to the beginning of the 19th century" ("What is Germany..."). Held in Munich, it is "a 16-day fiesta of pride and joy" ("What is Germany...") usually celebrated by the creation of lavish floats, lots of traditional German food, and of course, beer. Residents also dress up for this event wearing traditional Bavarian clothing. As seen in the third picture, the ladies wear apron like garments called dirndls, and the gentlemen wear lederhosen. Aside from holding such grand events, Germans also express their adventurous side whenever they can. There is a place located in the middle of Munich were people, men usually, surf next to concrete in any weather they desire. It may be crazy, but that's just the spirit of Germany. Germans will unapologetically be themselves, but respect and cherish traditions in their own unique way.