Germans are proud of their 2,000-year-old country. Despite being a “sinner” of humanity at times, Germany has helped shape the world today. Beyond the stories of war, there is much more to this country.
Here are nine things that make Germany special.
1. German beer
There are now more than 1,300 breweries and 5,000 different brands of beer in Germany. Germans drink more beer than any other country in Europe, far more than the second-place Czech Republic. And Germany has a lot of new craft breweries. Since 1516, Germany has had a beer law, called the Deutsches Reinheitsgebot, that states that beer can only be made with water, barley, and hops.
2. Moving story
Germany is home to many major car manufacturers. You might think that every German has a BMW, Audi or Mercedes. But while the rest of the world is envious of Germany’s fleet of cars or worried about Volkswagen’s emissions scandal, Germans are still taking the train.
Germany has a state-owned railway network for both passenger and freight transport. Every day, Germany’s 33,000 km long railway network carries around 7 million passengers and more than 1 million tonnes of freight.
German trains are very punctual, if they are late they are usually only 5 minutes late. The high-speed ICE trains connecting major towns and cities run at speeds of up to 300 km/h. BMWs can also reach that speed, but if your car breaks down, the best bet is to take the train.
3. Life on the river
Germans are not crazy about beer, but they are crazy about water. They can go boating, surfing, windsurfing, swimming regardless of the weather. And that makes sense. Germany has more than 12,200 lakes, which can be enjoyed year-round. Some are so large that you can see them from the mountains. There is even a hiking trail that connects all 66 lakes in Brandenburg.
According to a ranking published in 2013, Germany has the most swimming lakes and rivers in Europe.
4. Bread
French wine connoisseurs can tell from which region the wine comes from just by smelling a bottle and even by which direction the vineyard slopes. Germans are also connoisseurs of bread. Bread is not only a daily meal, but also a part of the culture.
Each region has its own way of making bread, from rye bread in the north to white bread in the south. In total, there are more than 1,500 types of bread in Germany. The average German eats 87kg of bread a year. There is one bakery for every 2,100 people. This is why Germans have such big bellies.
“If you have the chance to visit Germany, you definitely have to try this Brezel cake.”
5. Law
It’s no surprise that laws govern everything in Germany. While too many laws might make people rigid, they actually help them work more efficiently. Anyone caught by the police is fined. Garbage is clearly separated. Each house has four bins for plastic, paper, organic waste and other waste. Mixing garbage is also punishable.
It is the strict laws that help Germany become the country with the lowest unemployment rate in Europe.
6. Bring everything
When renting a house in Germany, make sure you bring a lot of things because the rental house does not come with anything. When moving, Germans bring the oven, refrigerator, tables, chairs, cabinets and even the sink. Moving day is like a festival. All family and friends rush in to help. There are no professionals to do this work. However, Germans are always clean and careful as mentioned above.
7.The Castles
Germany still has medieval hilltop fortresses, Renaissance castles and even 19th-century castles. There are more than 25,000 castles in Germany today, most of which have been turned into museums, restaurants and even hotels.
8. Walk on the weekend
Germany has 200,000 km of walking paths, with mountains, rivers, forests, seas, and all kinds of experiences from “hiking” to “adventure tourism”.
9. Festival
Germans may be serious for 364 days. But on the 365th day, they enjoy themselves. Germany has its festivals too. The northwest region of Germany holds an annual parade. More than 2 million tourists come, dressed in costumes, to join the crowds in the streets of Cologne and Dusseldorf.
In southern Germany, people wear traditional masks or dress up as demons or wild animals. After the festival, they can go home and work seriously and efficiently as usual.
