Germany

The German People Germany has a population of about 81,471,834 people Ethnic groups that call Germany home are German, Turkish, Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, and Spanish Most common religions practiced are Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Muslim Germanys official language is German

Germany’s Government Germany has a Federal Republic There are 16 different states, with the city of Berlin being the national capital The President is Christian Wulff, elected on June 30, 2010 Just like the United States of America, Germany has an executive branch, a legislative branch, and a judicial branch The Schloss Bellevue, their president’s residence. The Reichstag, the Federal German Government seat.

Germany’s Political Factions The two most important political parties are Christlich- Demokratische Union (Christian Democratic Union or the CDU) and Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (Social Democratic Party of Germany or the SPD Lesser parties include, but are not limited to: -Freie Demokratische Partei Deutschlands (Free Democratic Party of Germany or the FDP) -Buendnis 90/Die Gruenen (Green Party -Die Linkspartei

Germany’s Elections Allowed to vote at 18 years of age President is elected for a 5 year term on June 30 by a Federal Assembly The President is eligible for another term Translation: Socialism Never Yes! Freedom and Prosperity Alliance for Germany

Germany’s Economy Currency is the euro Gross Domestic Product per capita is $35,900 An unemployment rate of 7.4% Agricultural products are potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, and poultry Industrial Products are iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding, and textiles Exports are machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, and textiles Imports are machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, and metals The national debt is $4.713 trillion

Germany’s Major Problems One major problem Germany is currently facing is the fact that they are a major financial center for drug dealing It is quite common to find cocaine, heroin, or synthetic drugs on the street The second major problem is the lack of fresh underground water, much of it being contaminated by acidic drugs and gadolinium Other problems the country faces are hunger, “problem neighborhoods”, illiteracy, and political extremism A picture of a building in Ihme-Zentum, a “problem neighborhood” in Hanover.

By: Caitlin Stanton