232
Germany 232-
The naTion of Germany occupies a central position in northern
europe. The 80.9 million German people also play a central role in the
economy, way of life, and traditions of europe. Germany is an old country,
and its borders have changed often over the centuries. for much of the
second half of the 20th century, Germany consisted of two separate nations:
West Germany (the federal republic of Germany) and east Germany (the
German Democratic republic). in 1990, they again became one nation.
Germany is a rich and fertile land, and its farms are among the world’s most
productive. The landscape rises gently from the sandy coasts and islands on
the north Sea and Baltic Sea. flat plains dominate the northern part of
the country, and in the south there are forests and the soaring alps. The
region’s cool, rainy weather helps agriculture. farms produce livestock and
dairy products, cereals, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits,
and vegetables. most people, however, live in and
around the towns where Germany’s
energetic industries are based.Germany lies at the heart of
europe. its landscape varies greatly
from the flat plains of the north to
the peaks of the Bavarian alps in
the south.inDuSTry
There is a wide range of industries in Germany,
producing electrical goods, computers, tools,
textiles, and medicines. Coal mines in the central
ruhr region produce large quantities of brown
coal, or lignite, to fuel the factories. Western
Germany is famous for high-quality precision
goods, such as BmW cars and Leitz cameras.WurST anD Beer
Germany produces some excellent wine and is also
famous for its beer. Germans often drink beer with
the traditional snack of a sausage (wurst) and a bread
roll, accompanied by a large dollop of mild mustard.
There are numerous kinds of wurst, and
every region has its speciality.
frankfurters, a type of wurst,
originally came from frankfurt.BerLin
reinstated as the capital of Germany
in 1990, Berlin grew up on the
banks of the Spree river. Canals
also link Berlin to the elbe and
oder rivers. Berlin was devastated
in World War ii. in 1949, the city
was split between the two states of
east and West Germany. for many
years, a wall separated the people
in the eastern and western sectors,
and the two parts of the city still
look very different. new buildings
have made western Berlin look like
any other modern european city.
eastern Berlin still suffers poor
infrastructure and buildings.Beer gardens
attached to
bars and
cafés are
popular in
warm weather.Sausage sellers
specialize in
various kinds of
wurst and often
sell their wares
from tiny stalls
or vans.The Brandenburg
Gate stands on
the line that once
divided East and
West Berlin.BMW factory in Dingolfing, GermanyUS_232_GERMANY_1.indd 232 21/01/16 4:59 pm