International BusinessChapter 16: Technology and the Future Global EconomyWorld Market Passport
The Environment Located in central Europe, Germany is bordered to the north by the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic Sea, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Topographical highlights include sections of the Alps, the Black Forest, and two famous rivers, the Rhine and Danube. Berlin is its largest city and capital, while Bonn is home to governmental institutions, ministries, and embassies. Most of Germany maintains a cool and temperate climate. In the north, rain falls year round, though winter temperatures can be quite mild. History The country that is now Germany was unified as a modern nation-state in 1871, when the Second German Empire, dominated by the King of Prussia, was created. But its early history begins with Germanic tribes between 100 BC and 300 AD, and the migration of the Goths, Vandals, and Franks between 300 and 843 AD. Later, the domination of the Holy Roman Empire shaped the region from mid 9th century to the early 19th century. Restoration and revolution in the 1800s followed the fall of Napoleon, and there was a period of unrest and change. Into the early 1900s, Germany became more and more isolated. It was hit hard by the Depression and political instability. In 1933, when Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, the country's darkest and most infamous period began. Hitler led the Third Reich until 1945, ordering the torturous deaths of six million people, including Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, and others he deemed inferior. During this time, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and Germany declared war on the United States, but both Japan and Germany were ultimately defeated. After the war, Germany divided into West Germany and East Germany, controlled by a communist regime. In 1989, when rapid changes began to take place, a shift toward reunification allowed the country to become one nation as a federal republic. Culture and People Germany boasts a population of more than 82.4 million people and the largest economy in Europe, third in the world behind the United States and Japan. The nation has an enormous amount of cultural influence throughout Europe and the world. In fact, it is known as the land of poets and thinkers. Its literary, philosophical, and sociological contributions are many. Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach are among Germany's most influential musicians. In addition, many important scientists, mathematicians, inventors, and engineers were born there. Click to hear the music of Germany.
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