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WORLD FACTBOOK (US)
Introduction: As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations,...
COUNTRY BRIEF (AU)
Economic Overview: Analysis of the economy
Germany is the largest economy in Europe and the fourth-largest economy in the world (GDP was more than A$3.3 trillion in 2010). Germany is ranked as the world's second-largest goods exporter: approximately A$1.16 trillionwith a trade surplus of A$194 billion. Exports of goods and services made up over 41 per cent of GDP. Manufacturing is the mainstay of the German economy, with the export sector dominated by automobiles and machinery. Germany's exports of services are relatively underdeveloped and reform in the services sectors is relatively slow, but new sectors, like IT, biotechnology and ...
BACKGROUND NOTES (US)
History: Two of Germany's most famous writers, Goethe and Schiller, identified the central aspect of most of Germany's history with their poetic lament, "Germany? But where is it? I cannot find that country." Until 1871, there was no "Germany." Instead, Europe's German-speaking territories were divided into several hundred kingdoms, principalities, duchies, bishoprics, fiefdoms and independent cities and
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COUNTRY PROFILE (UK)
International Relations: Germany enjoys good relations with other EU member states and with the US. As a founding member of the EU, Germany has maintained a close post-war relationship with France. Following reunification Germany has sought to strengthen its relations with Eastern Europe and Russia. Germany has also signed a treaty with Poland recognising its external borders.
Germany’s relations with the UK
British cultural relations in Germany are led by the British Council.
British Council: Germany (http://www.britishcouncil.org/germany/)
Over 400 British towns have a twin in ...
COUNTRY STUDIES (US)
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