The Federal Republic of Germany lies in the heart of Europe, surrounded by nine neighboring countries since the reunification of the two German states in 1990. It connects the east with the west, and the south with the north. The Federal Republic is approximately the size of Montana. To traverse the country from east to west, one would be driving nearly 650 KM; from north to south, 900 KM.
    The FRG is an early member of the EU and NATO. It is also one of the world's leading economic powers, with the third largest total economic output. A culturally diverse country, the FRG is home to 82 million people, of which 9% are immigrants.
    Germany is a country of diverse landscapes, from the mostly flat, agricultural lowlands in the north, to the breathtakingly beautiful hills and mountains in the south, with hilly landscapes and lakes in-between. One third of the people live in large cities, 60% live in medium-sized communities, and the remaining 7 % reside in small villages. Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe, with the Ruhrgebiet in Western Germany being the most densely populated area within the country, and Mecklenburg-Pomerania in the Northeastern part of the country being the most sparsely populated area of Germany.
    A major concern is Germany's low birthrate. A woman in Germany has 1.3 children on the average. Coupled with a long life expectancy, this places a considerable tax and social security payment burden on the decreasing work force. However, the millions of recent immigrants, who tend to have larger families, help compensate for the birth deficit.
    Berlin is once again the capital of Germany. It is a bustling city with over four million inhabitants. The new glass Reichstag cupola symbolizes the transparency of the democratic government and is a major tourist attraction.
    Germany is a popular tourist destination. From the beautiful islands and beaches on the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the fairy-tale castles in the South, from the cultural centers of Munich and Dresden to the calm of the Black Forest and Thuringia, Germany has something for everyone.
    Germany is the country of Martin Luther, of Goethe and Schiller, of Beethoven and Clara Schumann. German Nobel prize winners for Literature include Thomas Mann, Heinrich Boell, and Guenther Grass. It is the home of German Expressionism, but also of "Entartete Kunst" (Degenerate Art) during WW II, and of Hitler ...
    German is spoken by 120 million people world-wide. It is the official language in the FRG, Austria, Switzerland , and Liechtenstein. It is one of the major EU languages, and it is the second language in many eastern European countries.
    If you are interested in history, politics, banking, business, literature, film, economics, or philosophy, knowing German will be a major asset. Join the fun and adventure of learning a new language and culture.