GERMANYGERMANY

Germany Germany

Germany’s Natural resources: are coal, lignite, natural gas, : are coal, lignite, natural gas, iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction iron ore, copper, nickel, uranium, potash, salt, construction materials, timber, arable landmaterials, timber, arable land

•The German economy - the fifth largest economyin the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - began to contract in the second quarter of 2008 as the strong euro, high oil prices, tighter credit markets, and slowing growth abroad took their toll on Germany's export-dependent

climateclimate The climate is affected by its The climate is affected by its

geographical position. In summer, geographical position. In summer, average high temperatures hover average high temperatures hover in the low- to mid-twenties in the low- to mid-twenties Celsius, or low- to mid-seventies Celsius, or low- to mid-seventies Fahrenheit.Fahrenheit.

However, temperatures However, temperatures exceeding 30°C or 86°F are not exceeding 30°C or 86°F are not unheard of during the summer’s unheard of during the summer’s hottest months.hottest months.

Lows can be in the mid-teens Lows can be in the mid-teens Celsius, or mid-fifties Fahrenheit. Celsius, or mid-fifties Fahrenheit. Snowfall is possible between Snowfall is possible between December and March; however it December and March; however it tends to melt fairly quickly as tends to melt fairly quickly as temperatures stay around the temperatures stay around the

freezing mark.freezing mark.

cultureculture

Germany's older regions, was custodian to the greater portion of Germany's older regions, was custodian to the greater portion of the country's rich cultural legacy. the country's rich cultural legacy. During the 40 years of separation it was inevitable that some divergence would occur in the cultural life of the two parts of the severed nation. Both West Germany and East Germany followed along traditional paths of the common German culture, but West Germany, being obviously more susceptible to influences from western Europe and North America, became more cosmopolitan.

SPORTSSPORTS

• Germany's new Sports Hall of Fame opened this week at the Germany's new Sports Hall of Fame opened this week at the German Historical Museum in Berlin. The project initially German Historical Museum in Berlin. The project initially contains the names of 40 German sports heroes, with three to contains the names of 40 German sports heroes, with three to be added to the roll call every year.be added to the roll call every year.

The list of 37 men and three women includes boxing legend Max The list of 37 men and three women includes boxing legend Max Schmeling, soccer ambassador Franz Beckenbauer and tennis idol Schmeling, soccer ambassador Franz Beckenbauer and tennis idol Gottfried von Cramm. Gottfried von Cramm.

However, the induction of five former members of the Nazi party has However, the induction of five former members of the Nazi party has caused debate as to whether those associated with the National Socialists caused debate as to whether those associated with the National Socialists should be honored, with critics calling the project the "Hall of Shame."should be honored, with critics calling the project the "Hall of Shame."

BerlinBerlin

At the end of At the end of World War I in 1918, the in 1918, the Weimar Republic was was proclaimed in Berlin. In 1920, the proclaimed in Berlin. In 1920, the Greater Berlin Act united dozens united dozens of suburban cities, villages, and estates around Berlin into a of suburban cities, villages, and estates around Berlin into a greatly expanded city at the expense of Brandenburg.greatly expanded city at the expense of Brandenburg.

On 30 January 1933 (On 30 January 1933 (Machtergreifung), ), Adolf Hitler and the and the Nazi Party came to power. Nazi rule destroyed Berlin's came to power. Nazi rule destroyed Berlin's Jewish

community, which had numbered 170,000 before 1933.community, which had numbered 170,000 before 1933.

KasselKassel

Kassel has been a power center since the middle of the 13th Kassel has been a power center since the middle of the 13th Century when it became the seat of landgraviate.Century when it became the seat of landgraviate.

After Henry, followed a string of folks most of whom were named After Henry, followed a string of folks most of whom were named William (Wilhelm in German).William (Wilhelm in German).

The City of Kassel is old, but then most places in Europe are old. The City of Kassel is old, but then most places in Europe are old. The city of Kassel loves bratwurstThe city of Kassel loves bratwurst

Ulm Ulm

The oldest traceable settlement of the Ulm area began in The oldest traceable settlement of the Ulm area began in the early the early Neolithic period, around 5000 BC. Settlements of period, around 5000 BC. Settlements of this time have been identified at the villages of Eggingen this time have been identified at the villages of Eggingen and Lehr, today districts of the city. In the city area of Ulm and Lehr, today districts of the city. In the city area of Ulm proper, the oldest find dates from the late Neolithic period.proper, the oldest find dates from the late Neolithic period.

At first, Ulm's significance was due to the privilege of a At first, Ulm's significance was due to the privilege of a KönigspfalzKönigspfalz, a place of accommodation for the medieval , a place of accommodation for the medieval German kings and emperors on their frequent travels. German kings and emperors on their frequent travels. Later, Ulm became a city of traders and craftsmen. One of Later, Ulm became a city of traders and craftsmen. One of the most important legal documents of the city, an the most important legal documents of the city, an agreement between the Ulm patricians and the trade guilds agreement between the Ulm patricians and the trade guilds

((German: : Großer SchwörbriefGroßer Schwörbrief), dates from 1397.), dates from 1397.