For visitors...

A lot has changed in Germany since the World War II and colapse of post war comunistic "Iron Curtain" regime, yet chances are that repeat visitors will still find the things they always liked: the restaurant serving huge helpings of sauerbraten or the biergarten with liter upon liter of wheat beer.

Germany continues to improve as a destination after more than a decade of putting itself back together. Travelers are likely to move around the country faster, dine better, and experience new attractions like the Reichstag's glass dome. Once you stop looking at Germany strictly in terms of east and west, you'll have to observe that the country really is a lot more complex. Regions are sharply defined, each one maintaining its distinctive character in terms of dialect, traditional dress and foods. We recommend that you sample as many regions as possible. Booming Berlin, now the No. 1 tourist magnet, is the clearest benefactor of reunification. Visitors to the cultural centers of Dresden, Leipzig and Weimar in eastern Germany will find improved amenities there as well. The north has the delightful old seafaring cities of Hamburg and Bremen. Along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers are picturesque castles and steep, terraced vineyards. From Frankfurt to Bremen runs a trail of villages that helped inspire the Grimm Brothers' fairy tales. In the south are the alluring Black Forest, Munich and Bavaria's boisterous beer halls and rococo palaces and churches.

You can find here plenty of fairy-tale sights and picturesque scenery that is reminiscent of medieval times, but Germany is without a doubt a postindustrial, multicultural country with all the inherent advantages and conflicts. Reunification is a huge social and economic undertaking, and it comes on top of an already heavy and, at times, troubling history. Travelers to Germany will probably not be affected by much of this, but on the other hand, visitors shouldn't expect all parts of the country, at all times, to be an Oktoberfest.

Basics

Full country name: Federal Republic of Germany
Area: 357,021 sq km
Population: 82.39 million
Capital City: Berlin (pop: 3.5 million)
People: Predominantly Caucasian, with significant Turkish minority. Germany has also absorbed many refugees from the former Yugoslavia.
Language: German
Religion: 90% Christian. There are 1.7 million Muslims and about 74,000 Jews (the pre-Holocaust figure was over half a million).
Government: Federal republic
Head of State: President
Head of Government: Chancellor

GDP: US$2.16 trillion
GDP per capita: US$26,200
Annual Growth: 2.7%
Inflation: 1%
Major Industries: motor vehicles, engineering, chemicals, iron, steel, coal, electronics, environmental technology, food, clothing
Major Trading Partners: EU (esp. France, Netherlands, Italy, UK, Belgium/Luxembourg, ), USA, Japan
Member of EU: Yes

Passport/Visa U.S.: Canadian and US citizens need a passport. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
Telephone Codes: 49, country code
Time Zone: 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is observed from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October
Tipping Overview: Round up your bill a euro or two in restaurants and taxis, and give the tip directly to your waiter or cabdriver.
Voltage Requirements: 220 volts

When To Go

June-September is the best time to tour this country, when the days are warm and nights are cool (definitely take a jacket, especially to Bavaria). Be prepared for rain throughout the summer. April, May and October can also be good, particularly for those interested in museums. It'll be about 10 degrees F/5 C colder than it is in the summer, but lines will be shorter and the countryside even more beautiful (wildflowers in the spring, leaf color in the fall). During late fall and early winter, the fohn, a warm southern wind, can bring Bavaria and the Alps warmer temperatures than the lowlands. In December, Germany is full of delightful Christmas markets, known as Christkindlmarkt or Weinachtsmarkt, where you can buy handcrafted gifts and ornaments, sample mulled cider or wine and hear Christmas music. Take a sweater anytime you visit. Winters are cold and often drizzly, but the skiing is best then.