Examine individual changes

'{{coord|51.00|N|10.00|E|type:country|display=title}} [[File:Germany in the European Union on the globe (Europe centered).svg|thumb|250px|right|The location of Germany]] [[File:Deutschland politisch 2010.png|thumb|250px|right|General map of Germany]] '''[[Germany]]''' is a country in [[Western Europe|west]]-[[central Europe]], that stretches from the [[Alps]], across the [[North European Plain]] to the [[North Sea]] and the [[Baltic Sea]]. Germany has the second largest population in Europe (after the [[Europe]]an part of [[Russia]]) and is [[Area_and_population_of_European_countries#Area|seventh largest in area]]. The territory of Germany covers {{convert|357021|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, consisting of {{convert|349223|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|7798|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of waters. Elevation ranges from the mountains of the [[Alps]] (highest point: the [[Zugspitze]] at {{convert|2962|m|ft|0}} in the south to the shores of the [[North Sea]] (Nordsee) in the northwest and the [[Baltic Sea]] (Ostsee) in the northeast. Between lie the forested uplands of central Germany and the low-lying lands of northern Germany (lowest point: [[Neuendorf-Sachsenbande]] at {{convert|3.54|m|ft|1}} below sea level), traversed by some of Europe's major [[river]]s such as the [[Rhine]], [[Danube]] and [[Elbe]].<ref name="CIA">[https://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/gm.html Germany] CIA Factbook. November 14, 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2006.</ref> Germany shares borders with nine European countries, second only to Russia: [[Denmark]] in the north, [[Poland]] and the [[Czech Republic]] in the east, [[Austria]] and [[Switzerland]] in the south, [[France]] in the southwest and [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]] and the [[Netherlands]] in the west. ==Area== Germany is in Western and Central Europe, bordering 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. It lies mostly between latitudes [[47th parallel north|47°]] and [[55th parallel north|55° N]] (the tip of [[Sylt]] is just north of 55°), and longitudes [[5th meridian east|5°]] and [[16th meridian east|16° E]]. The territory covers {{convert|357021|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}, consisting of {{convert|349223|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|7798|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} of water. It is the seventh largest country by area in Europe and the 63rd largest in the world.<ref name="CIA"/> ===Extreme points=== [[File:Zugspitze Westansicht.JPG|thumb|[[Zugspitze]] is the highest elevation in Germany]] * northernmost point: [[List, Germany|List]], [[Sylt]], [[Schleswig-Holstein]] {{coord|55|03|N|8|24|E|region:DE-SH_type:landmark_source:frwiki|name=List on Sylt (Northernmost point)}} * northernmost point in [[mainland]] [[Germany]]: [[Aventoft]], [[Schleswig-Holstein]] {{coord|54|54|N|8|49|E|region:DE-SH_type:landmark_source:frwiki|name=Aventoft (northernmost on continent)}} * southernmost point: Haldenwanger Eck, [[Oberstdorf]], [[Bavaria]] {{coord|47|16|12.39|N|10|10|41.95|E|region:DE-BY_type:landmark_source:dewiki|name=Haldenwanger Eck at Oberstdorf (Southernmost point)}} * westernmost point: Isenbruch, [[Selfkant]], [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] {{coord|51|3|N|5|52|E|region:DE-NW_type:landmark_source:frwiki|name=Isenbruch near Millen (Westernmost point)}} * easternmost point: Deschka, [[Neißeaue]], [[Free State of Saxony|Saxony]] {{coord|51|16|N|15|2|E|type:landmark_region:DE-SN_source:frwiki|name=Deschka (Easternmost point)}} *lowest point: [[Wilstermarsch]] 3.53&nbsp;m below sea level {{coord|53.96333|N|9.31806|E|region:DE_type:landmark|name=Wilstermarsch (lowest)}} *highest point: [[Zugspitze]] (in the [[Bavarian Alps]], 2,962&nbsp;m {{coord|47|25|N|10|59|E|region:DE-BY_type:mountain|name=Zugspitze (highest)}} ===Maritime claims=== * [[Continental shelf]]: 200&nbsp;m depth or to the depth of exploitation * [[Exclusive economic zone]]: {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}}. The exact EEZ is due to conventions with neighbouring states. * Territorial sea: {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}} ==Physical Geography== [[File:Deutschland topo.jpg|thumb|upright|left||Topographic map of Germany]] The northern third of the country lies in the [[North European Plain]], with flat terrain crossed by northward-flowing watercourses ([[Elbe]], [[Ems (river)|Ems]], [[Weser]], [[Oder]]). [[Wetlands]] and marshy conditions are found close to the Dutch border and along the [[Frisia]]n coast. Sandy [[Mecklenburg]] in the northeast has many glacier-formed [[Mecklenburg Lake District|lakes]] dating to the [[last glacial period]]. Moving south, central Germany features rough and somewhat patternless hilly and mountainous countryside, some of it formed by ancient [[volcano|volcanic]] activity. The [[Rhine]] valley cuts through the western part of this region. The central uplands continue east and north as far as the [[Saale]] and merge with the [[Ore Mountains (Germany)|Ore Mountains]] on the border with the [[Czech Republic]]. Upland regions include the [[Eifel]], [[Hunsrück]] and [[Palatine Forest]] west of the Rhine, the [[Taunus]] hills north of [[Frankfurt]], the [[Vogelsberg Mountains|Vogelsberg]] massif, the [[Rhön]], and the [[Thüringer Wald]]. South of [[Berlin]], the east-central part of the country is more like the low northern areas, with sandy soil and river wetlands such as the [[Spreewald]] region. Southern Germany's landforms are defined by various linear hill and mountain ranges like the two adjacent ranges of the [[Swabian Alb|Swabian]] and [[Franconian Alb]] (reaching approximately from the source of the [[Danube]] in the southwest of [[Baden-Württemberg]], south of [[Stuttgart]], across [[Swabia]] into [[Central Franconia]] and to the valley of the river [[Main (river)|Main]]) and the [[Bavarian Forest]] along the border between Bavaria and the Czech Republic. The [[Alps]] on the southern border are the highest mountains, but relatively little Alpine terrain lies within Germany (in southeastern Swabia and [[Upper Bavaria]]) compared to Switzerland and Austria. The [[Black Forest]], on the southwestern border with France, separates the Rhine from the headwaters of the [[Danube]] on its eastern slopes. ===Climate=== {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Sylt Rotes Kliff.jpg | width1 = 175 | caption1 = Summer coastal climate on the island [[Sylt]] in [[Schleswig-Holstein]] | alt1 = Coastal dunes | image2 = Thüringerwald.JPG | width2 = 209 | caption2 = [[Thuringian Forest]]s during wintertime | alt2 = Thuringian Forest }} Germany's [[climate]] is [[temperate]] and [[Oceanic climate|marine]], with cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers and in the south occasional warm [[föhn wind]]. The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate. In the northwest and the north, the climate is extremely oceanic and rain falls all the year round. Winters there are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool. In the east, the climate shows clear continental features; winters can be very cold for long periods, and summers can become very warm. Dry periods are often recorded. In the centre and the south, there is a transitional climate which may be predominantly oceanic or continental, according to the general weather situation. Winters are mild and summers tend to be cool, though maximum temperatures can exceed {{convert|30|°C|°F|lk=on}} for several days in a row during heat waves. The warmest regions of Germany can be found in the south-west (see [[rhine rift]], [[German Wine Route]] and [[Palatinate (region)|Palatinate]]). Here summers can be hot with a high number of days exceeding {{convert|30|°C|°F|lk=on}}. Sometimes, minimum temperatures don't drop under {{convert|20|°C|°F|lk=on}}, which is relatively rare in other regions.<ref>[http://www.handbuch-deutschland.de/book/en/002_001_001.html German Climate] Handbuch Deutschland. Retrieved November 30, 2006.</ref><ref>[http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Germany/Climate/ German Climate and Weather] World Travels. Retrieved November 30, 2006.</ref> ===Land use=== [[File:Hintersee.jpg|thumb|left|[[Alps|Alpine]] scenery in [[Bavaria]]]] Germany covers a total of 357,021&nbsp;km², of which 4,750&nbsp;km² is [[irrigated land]] and 7,798&nbsp;km² is covered by water, the largest lakes being [[Lake Constance]] (total area of 536&nbsp;km², with 62% of the shore being German; international [[border]]s are not defined on the lake itself), [[Müritz]] (117&nbsp;km²) and [[Chiemsee]] (80&nbsp;km²). The majority of Germany is covered by either [[arable land]] (33%) or [[forestry]] and [[woodland]] (31%). Only 15% is covered by permanent pastures. Germany has a total of 2,389&nbsp;km of coastline, and borders totalling 3,621&nbsp;km (clockwise from north: [[Denmark]] 68&nbsp;km, [[Poland]] 456&nbsp;km, [[Czech Republic]] 815&nbsp;km,<ref name="cia">{{cite web | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html | title = CIA - The World Factbook -- Germany | work = [[The World Factbook]] | publisher = [[Central Intelligence Agency]] | date = updated May 31, 2012 | accessdate = 2012-05-31 }}</ref> [[Austria]] 784&nbsp;km, [[Switzerland]] 334&nbsp;km, [[France]] 451&nbsp;km, [[Luxembourg]] 138&nbsp;km, [[Belgium]] 167&nbsp;km, [[Netherlands]] 577&nbsp;km). The German-Austrian border crosses itself near [[Jungholz]]. The border with Belgium includes 5 German exclaves because the [[Vennbahn]] railway is on Belgian territory crossing in and out of Germany. You suck ===Rivers=== [[File:Germanymap2.png|thumb|upright|The major German rivers]] The main rivers in Germany are: * the [[Rhine]] (''Rhein'' in [[German language|German]]) with a German part of 865&nbsp;km (main tributaries including the [[Neckar]], the [[Main (river)|Main]] and the [[Moselle River|Moselle]] (''Mosel'')); * the [[Elbe]] with a German part of 727&nbsp;km (also drains into the [[North Sea]]); and * the [[Danube]] (''Donau'') with a German part of 687&nbsp;km. Further important rivers include the [[Saale]] and the [[Main (river)|Main]] in central Germany, the [[Neckar]] in the southwest, and the [[Weser]] in the North. See also the [[list of rivers in Germany]]. ===Caves=== Throughout the [[Karst]] rocks many caves were formed especially in the valley of the [[Hönne]]. The biggest culture cave of [[Europe]] is located in [[Balve]]. ===Natural resources=== *[[Iron ore]], [[coal]], [[potash]], [[timber]], [[lignite]], [[uranium]], [[copper]], [[natural gas]], [[salt]], [[nickel]], [[water]] ==Environment== {{multiple image | align = right | width2 = 200 | image2 = Aquila chrysaetos Flickr.jpg | caption2 = The [[golden eagle|eagle]] is a protected bird of prey | alt2 = Eagle | width1 = 178 | image1 = HeideblueteTiefental.JPG | caption1 = The [[Lüneburg Heath Nature Reserve]] in [[Lower Saxony]] | alt1 = Lüneburg Heath }} ;Current issues *Emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulphur dioxide emissions, is damaging [[forest]]s; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; [[hazardous waste]] disposal; government (under Chancellor Schröder, SPD) announced intent to end the use of nuclear power for producing electricity; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive. Germany's last glacier is disappearing. [http://www.enn.com/globe.html?id=1614] ;International agreements * Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-[[Nitrogen oxides]], Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling * Signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants ;Natural hazards *Flooding through rivers after heavy rainfall, such as during the [[2002 European floods]], or [[Storm surge]], such as the [[North Sea flood of 1962]] or the historic floods of [[Burchardi flood|1634]] and [[Grote Mandrenke|1362]] that changed the coastline of what is now the west coast of [[Schleswig-Holstein]]. ===Flora and Fauna=== {{multiple image | align = right | width2 = 180 | image2 = Seehunde auf Duene.jpg | caption2 = Seals in Schleswig Holstein | alt2 = Alpine terrain | width1 = 199 | image1 = Cervus elaphus 11.jpg | caption1 = [[Red Deer|Deer]] are widespread species | alt1 = Red Deer }} [[Phytogeography|Phytogeographically]], Germany is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the [[Circumboreal Region]] within the [[Boreal Kingdom]]. The territory of Germany can be subdivided into two [[ecoregion]]s: European-Mediterranean montane mixed forests and Northeast-Atlantic shelf marine.<ref>[http://www.panda.org/about_our_earth/ecoregions/ecoregion_list/ List of Ecoregions: Terrestrial Ecoregions] WWF. Retrieved 21 November 2000.</ref> The majority of Germany is covered by either [[arable land]] (33%) or [[forestry]] and [[woodland]] (31%). Only 15% is covered by permanent pastures. Plants and animals are those generally common to middle Europe. Beeches, oaks, and other deciduous trees constitute one-third of the forests; conifers are increasing as a result of reforestation. Spruce and fir trees predominate in the upper mountains, while pine and larch are found in sandy soil. There are many species of ferns, flowers, fungi, and mosses. Fish abound in the rivers and the North Sea. Wild animals include deer, wild boar, mouflon, fox, badger, hare, and small numbers of beaver. Various migratory birds cross Germany in the spring and autumn. The [[List of national parks of Germany|national parks in Germany]] include the [[Wadden Sea National Parks]], the [[Jasmund National Park]], the [[Vorpommern Lagoon Area National Park]], the [[Müritz National Park]], the [[Lower Oder Valley National Park]], the [[Harz National Park]], the [[Saxon Switzerland National Park]] and the [[Bavarian Forest National Park]]. Germany is known for its many [[zoological garden]]s, wildlife parks, aquaria, and bird parks.<ref>[http://www.eupedia.com/europe/zoological_gardens_europe.shtml List of famous Zoological gardens in European countries] www.eupedia.com. Retrieved 17 October 2008.</ref> More than 400 registered zoos and animal parks operate in Germany, which is believed to be the largest number in any single country of the world.<ref>[http://www.americanzoos.info/Zoofacts.html Some interesting zoo facts] www.americanzoos.info/. Retrieved 17 October 2008.</ref> The [[Berlin Zoological Garden|Zoologischer Garten Berlin]] is the oldest zoo in Germany and presents the most comprehensive collection of species in the world.<ref>{{de icon}}[http://www.zoo-berlin.de/en/understand/zahlen-fakten.html Tierstatistik 2008]{{dead link|date=September 2010}}, Zoo Berlin. Retrieved 19 November 2009.</ref> ==Human Geography== ===Demographics=== [[File:Pop density of Germany.png|thumb|upright|Population density]] {{Main|Demographics of Germany}} With estimated 81.8&nbsp;million inhabitants in January 2010, Germany is the most populous country in the European Union and ranks as the [[List of countries by population|15th largest country]] in the world in terms of population. Its [[List of sovereign states and dependent territories by population density|population density]] stands at 229.4 inhabitants per square kilometer. The [[United Nations Population Fund]] lists Germany as host to the [[List of countries by immigrant population|third-highest number of international migrants worldwide]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/2006Migration_Chart/Migration2006.pdf |title=International Migration 2006 |publisher =UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs |accessdate=18 March 2011}}</ref> around 20% of Germany´s population do not hold a German passport or are descendents of immigrants. ===Administrative divisions=== Germany comprises [[States of Germany|sixteen states]] that are collectively referred to as ''Länder''.<ref>The individual denomination is either ''Land'' [state], ''Freistaat'' [free state] or ''Freie (und) Hansestadt'' [free (and) Hanseatic city].<br/>{{cite web |url= http://www.bundesrat.de/nn_11006/EN/organisation-en/laender-en/laender-en-node.html?__nnn=true|title= The Federal States|publisher=[[Bundesrat of Germany]]|work = www.bundesrat.de|accessdate=17 July 2011}} <br/>{{cite web|url = http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Infoservice/Terminologie/Bundeslaender/Uebersicht_node.html|title = Amtliche Bezeichnung der Bundesländer|work = www.auswaertiges-amt.de|publisher = [[Foreign Office (Germany)|Federal Foreign Office]]|language = German|trans_title = Official denomination of federated states|format = PDF; download file „Englisch“|accessdate = 22 October 2011}}</ref> Each state has its own state constitution<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.landtag.nrw.de/portal/WWW/GB_I/I.7/Europa/Wissenswertes/English_information/North_Rhine_Westphalia_Constitution_revised.jsp|title= Example for state constitution: "Constitution of the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia"|publisher= [[Landtag of North Rhine-Westphalia|Landtag (state assembly) of North Rhine-Westphalia]]|accessdate=17 July 2011}}</ref> and is largely autonomous in regard to its internal organisation. Due to differences in size and population the [[States of Germany#Further subdivisions|subdivision of these states]] varies, especially between [[city states]] (''Stadtstaaten'') and states with larger territories (''Flächenländer''). For regional administrative purposes five states, namely Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony, consist of a total of 22 [[Regierungsbezirke|Government Districts]] (''Regierungsbezirke''). As of 2009 Germany is divided into 403 [[Districts of Germany|districts]] (''Kreise'') on municipal level, these consist of 301 [[List of rural districts of Germany|rural districts]] and 102 [[Urban districts of Germany|urban districts]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.destatis.de/jetspeed/portal/cms/Sites/destatis/Internet/DE/Content/Statistiken/Regionales/Gemeindeverzeichnis/Administrativ/Aktuell/04__KreiseAktuell,property=file.xls|title=Kreisfreie Städte und Landkreise nach Fläche und Bevölkerung 31.12.2009|format=XLS|date=October 2010|publisher=[[Statistisches Bundesamt]] Deutschland|language=German|accessdate=26 September 2011}}</ref> {{German Federal States|options=float:left; font-size:90%; border:3px; max-width:480px; width:50%;}} {| style="background:none;" cellspacing="2px" | {| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%;" |- style="font-size:100%; text-align:right;" ! style="width:140px;"| [[States of Germany|State]] !! style="width:85px;"| Capital !! style="width:85px;"| Area (km²)!! style="width:85px;"| Population |- | [[Baden-Württemberg]] || [[Stuttgart]] || style="text-align:right"|35,752|| style="text-align:right"|10,717,000 |- | [[Bavaria]] || [[Munich]] || style="text-align:right"|70,549|| style="text-align:right"|12,444,000 |- | [[Berlin]] || [[Berlin]] ||style="text-align:right"|892|| style="text-align:right"|3,400,000 |- | [[Brandenburg]] || [[Potsdam]] || style="text-align:right"|29,477|| style="text-align:right"|2,568,000 |- | [[Bremen (state)|Bremen]] || [[Bremen]] || style="text-align:right"|404|| style="text-align:right"|663,000 |- | [[Hamburg]] || [[Hamburg]] ||style="text-align:right"|755|| style="text-align:right"|1,735,000 |- | [[Hesse]] || [[Wiesbaden]] || style="text-align:right"|21,115|| style="text-align:right"|6,098,000 |- | [[Mecklenburg-Vorpommern]] || [[Schwerin]] || style="text-align:right"|23,174|| style="text-align:right"|1,720,000 |- | [[Lower Saxony]] || [[Hanover]] || style="text-align:right"|47,618|| style="text-align:right"|8,001,000 |- | [[North Rhine-Westphalia]] || [[Düsseldorf]] || style="text-align:right"|34,043|| style="text-align:right"|18,075,000 |- | [[Rhineland-Palatinate]] || [[Mainz]] || style="text-align:right"|19,847|| style="text-align:right"|4,061,000 |- | [[Saarland]] || [[Saarbrücken]] || style="text-align:right"|2,569|| style="text-align:right"|1,056,000 |- | [[Saxony]] || [[Dresden]] || style="text-align:right"|18,416|| style="text-align:right"|4,296,000 |- | [[Saxony-Anhalt]] || [[Magdeburg]] || style="text-align:right"|20,445|| style="text-align:right"|2,494,000 |- | [[Schleswig-Holstein]] || [[Kiel]] || style="text-align:right"|15,763|| style="text-align:right"|2,829,000 |- | [[Thuringia]] || [[Erfurt]] || style="text-align:right"|16,172|| style="text-align:right"|2,355,000 |} |} ===Urbanization=== Germany has a number of large cities; the most populous are: [[Berlin]], [[Hamburg]], [[Munich]], [[Cologne]], [[Frankfurt]], and [[Stuttgart]]. The largest [[conurbation]] is the [[Rhine-Ruhr]] region (12&nbsp;million), including [[Düsseldorf]] (the capital of [[North Rhine-Westphalia]]), [[Cologne]], [[Essen]], [[Dortmund]], [[Duisburg]], and [[Bochum]]. {{Largest cities of Germany}} ==See also== {{Portal|Germany|European Union}} *[[Geography of Europe]] *[[List of administrative divisions of Germany]] *[[National parks (Germany)]] ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.bkg.bund.de/goto/deutschland/ Kostenlose Deutschland-Karten] * Geoberg.de: [http://www.geoberg.de/fotoarchiv/ Geologie Deutschlands] – Fotografien geologischer Objekte aus Deutschland * [http://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/Mineralienportrait/Silber/Harz mineralienatlas.de: Reiches Erz aus dem Harz] * [http://www.deutscher-klimaatlas.de/ Deutscher Klimaatlas] {{Germany topics}} {{Geography of Europe}} {{Europe topic|Climate of}} {{Danube}} {{commons category|Geography of Germany}} [[Category:Geography of Germany| ]]'