Germany, country in Central Europe, bounded on the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea; on the east by Poland and Czech Republic; on the south by Austria and Switzerland; and on the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For much of German history, Germany was a geographical term for an area occupied by many states. Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city.

As Western Europe's richest and most populous nation, Germany remains a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organisations. European power struggles immersed the country in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organisations, the EC and NATO, while the communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then Germany has expended considerable funds to bring eastern productivity and wages up to western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries formed a common European currency, the Euro. The emotional upheaval that Germans over generations have experienced, is not evident today. You will find the German spirited and gay, friendly and extremely helpful. You will find his land enormously beautiful and his museums a repository of cross-cultural influences.

This is a land that has much to offer.

Important Destinations In Germany

Cologne

Cologne has been an important city since Roman times, when it was known as Colonia Agreppineses, the capital of the province of Germania. In later years it remained one of Northern Europe's main cities (the largest in Germany until the 19th century).
Set in the beautiful Westphalian landscape of impressive hilltop castles, postcard-sized villages, steeply wooded hills and terraced vineyards, Cologne is the Rhineland's largest city and its cultural capital. Built on the banks of the Rhine, some of the best views of the city, its magnificent bridges, warehouses and floating restaurants are from a river cruise. An elegant city, Cologne is a favourite throughout Europe as a conference venue, hosting conventions covering everything from heavy engineering to popular music. 'Eau de cologne' was invented here in 1709 and is still produced in the city. Located at the major crossroads of European trade routes, Cologne was an important city even in Roman times. It was then known as Colonia Agrippinesis, the capital of the province of Germania, and had no fewer than 300,000 inhabitants. It's worth making an effort to visit this city, if only for the famous cathedral, though there's much more to see.

Berlin

Berlin has more to offer than almost any city in Europe. It may be Germany's largest city, but there are more trees and parklands here than in Paris and more bridges than in Venice. With hundreds of construction cranes dotting the city, Berlin - once again the capital of the nation - is undergoing breathtaking changes, making it an exciting and dynamic destination.

On 9 November 1989 the Berlin Wall opened, releasing a flood of East German refugees. Yet after more than a decade of integration, the city's two halves are still adjusting - eastern neighbourhoods such as the Scheunenviertel are Berlin's new artistic and cultural centres, while outlying areas with their grim Communist-era apartment blocks are as bleak as ever.

Hamburg

Hamburg should be high on your list of German cities to visit. The nightlife is great, the museums are world class, and it has a bustling port. The Reeperbahn, originally a red-light district for sailors, is rather tame these days, whereas teh Schanzenviertel has a lively alternative and anachist student scene.

Hamburg's first settlement (around AD 800), though, was a far cry from anarchism: this was teh site of a moated fortres known as Hummaburg.in teh 13th century Hamburg became the Hanseatic League's trading gateway to the North Sea and was second in importance only to Lubeck. With the decline of the Hanseatic League in the 16th century, Hamburg thrived as Lubeck sand into (near) oblivion.

Frankfurt

'Bankfurt', 'Krankfurt', and more obscene variants - call it what you will, Frankfurt/Main is the financial and trade-fair centre of western Germany. Unless you are in the mrket for good story to tell about how you missed that important flight, don't confuse Frankfurt/Main with Frankfurt/Oder, which is on the Order River in the 'Wild East'.

Frankfurt is Germany's most important transport hub, so you'll probably end up here at some point. Keep in mind that Frankfurt is not all that typical of Germany - that goes especially for the architecture. But if you look closely, you'll find a jovial southern Hessen folk whose main preoccupation seem to be eating and drinking, and who speak in a dialect that has dispensed with half the German alphabet.

Dusseldorf

Though there are no 'must see' sights in Dusseldorf, it's quite nice to visit anyway, especially once you've wended your way to the Rhine River. Most of Dusseldorf was razed from the skies in World War II but it was reconstructed and is now one of the most elegant and wealthy cities in all of Germany. This capital of North Rhine-Westphalia is an important centre for fashion and commerce - and beer connoisseurs will find a couple of nice surprises here.

Munich

Munich, the main attraction in Bavaria, is a beer-quaffing, sausage-eating city that can be as cosmopolitan as as anywhere in Europe. Despite what you may have heard, Munich is more than a vast open-air beer hall - give yourself at least two or three days to cover its museums and gardens, and to sample the local brews.

Munich has been the capital of Bavaria since 1503, but really achieved eminence under the guiding hand of Ludwig I in the 19th century. It has seen many turbulent times World War I practically starved the city, the Nazisgot their start here in the 1920's, and World War II brought bombing and more than 6000 deaths. Today Munich is the centre of Germany's burgeoning high-tech industries.

Heidelberg

The French destroyed Heidelberg in 1693 - they may have been the last visitors to dislike this charming town on the Neckar River. Mark Twain began his European travels here and recounted his comical obervations in A Tramp Abroad.

With a sizeable student population, Heidelerg is surprisingly lively for city of its size. But be warned: this place is chock-a-block with tourists in July and August.

Black Forest

Home of the Cuckoo Clock, the moniker 'Schwrzwld' (Black Forest) comes from the dark canopy of evergreens. The fictional Hansel and Gretel encountered their wicked witch in these parts - 20th - century hazrds are more likely to include tour groups and there buses. However, a 20-minute walk from even the most crowded spots puts you in quiet countryide dotted with traditional farmhouses and amiable dairy cows.