Germany

Geography {{main|Geography of Germany}}

States {{main|States of Germany}}

Germany is divided into sixteen states (in German called Bundesländer, singular Bundesland; though the correct constitutional term is Länder, singular Land). It is further subdivided into 439 districts (Kreise) and cities (kreisfreie Städte) (2004).

Related Topics:
State - Bundesland - Kreise - 2004

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Territory

Since reunification Germany has resumed its role as a major centre between Scandinavia in the north and the Mediterranean region in the south, as well as between the Atlantic west and the countries of central and eastern Europe.

Related Topics:
Reunification - Scandinavia - Mediterranean - Atlantic - Central - Eastern

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The territory of Germany stretches from the high mountains of the Alps (highest point: the Zugspitze at 2,962 m) in the south to the shores of the North Sea in the north-west and the Baltic Sea in the north-east. In between are found the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: Neuendorfer/Wilstermarsch at 3.54 meters below sea level), traversed by some of Europe's major rivers such as the Rhine, Danube and Elbe.

Related Topics:
Alps - Zugspitze - North Sea - Baltic Sea - Neuendorfer - Wilstermarsch - River - Rhine - Danube - Elbe

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Due to its central location Germany has more neighbours than any other European country; these are Denmark in the north, Poland and the Czech Republic in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France and Luxembourg in the south-west and Belgium and the Netherlands in the north-west.

Related Topics:
Denmark - Poland - Czech Republic - Austria - Switzerland - France - Luxembourg - Belgium - Netherlands

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Climate

The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate.

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In the north-west and the north the climate is very oceanic and rain falls all the year round. Winters there are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool.

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In the east the climate shows clear continental features; winters can be very cold for long periods, and summers can become very warm. Here, too, long dry periods are often recorded.

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In the centre and the south there is a transitional climate which may be predominantly oceanic or continental, according to the general weather situation.

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