14 Interesting Facts About Germany You Need To Know As A Language Learner
Germany is a country at the heart of Europe. Maybe you know a lot about it, maybe you don’t. That’s not a problem.
In this blog post, we’ll share 14 interesting facts about Germany: from history and culture to modern innovations and – of course – language.
You might ask yourself this question: why does a language learning website share these infos about a country? Shouldn’t a travel blog do this?
You’re partially right. But the truth is that here, on Effortless Conversations we use a language learning method that focuses on full immersion. The method is called Conversation Based Chunking, it has helped tens of thousands of students, and to use it to its full potential, you should know some things about the country whose language you’re learning.
Before we share our views on the interesting facts about Germany, here’s a video for Around The World on the top 10 facts about German:
Interesting facts about the geography and demographics in Germany
Germany’s landscape and population are as diverse as they are impressive.
The country is truly magnificent: it’s full of forests and rivers, and to top all of this, Germany is a big country, so there’s plenty of space for all the natural wonders!
1. Germany’s size and population
Germany is the seventh largest country in Europe.
It spans an area of 357,168 square kilometers. This sizeable territory is home to approximately 83 million people and this makes it most populous country in the European Union – this is according to the latest census from 2022.
The nation’s landscape is very different from the North Sea and Baltic coasts to the Alps in the south.
This huge population averages a density of around 232 people per square kilometer. But, as you can guess, it’s pretty different across the country.
There are some urban centers like Berlin, Hamburg and Munich – they are bustling metropolises, and rural areas in states like Mecklenburg-Vorpommern definitely offer a tranquil lifestyle. (The rural areas are lively, as well!)
2. Forests in Germany
One of Germany’s most striking features is its abundance of forests.
Covering about one-third of the country’s total area, these woodlands play a huge role in the nation’s ecology and culture.
The Black Forest is in the southwest, while the Bavarian Forest is along the Czech border. Another one is the Harz Mountains in central Germany – just a few examples of Germany’s wooded regions.
The forest as really important but not just for the people, because they always go hiking there, but also for the wildlife.
3. Rivers: Rhine, Elbe, Main, Danube
Germany’s landscape is crisscrossed by numerous rivers, with the Rhine, Elbe, Main, and Danube being among the most important ones.
It’s to no one’s surprise that all of these rivers shaped Germany’s history and economy because major cities can be found on these riversides.
The Rhine, Germany’s longest river, has been a trade route since Roman times. Today, it still is one of the world’s most heavily used shipping lanes, as it connects major industrial areas to the North Sea.
The Elbe is flowing from the Czech Republic to the North Sea, and passes through Dresden and Hamburg.
The Main and Danube rivers, connected by the Main-Danube Canal, create a waterway linking the North Sea to the Black Sea.
Historical facts about Germany
Germany’s history is a bit… complicated.
As you know, some Germans don’t really like talking about it because it’s truly marked by periods of division and unification. Let’s see some of the most important milestones.
4. First printed book: the Gutenberg Bible
In the mid-15th century, Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized the spread of knowledge with his invention of the movable-type printing press.
In Mainz, Germany, around 1455, Gutenberg produced what is now known as the Gutenberg Bible, the first major book printed in Europe using movable type.
This innovation marked a turning point in human history.
It dramatically reduced the cost of book production, making written works more accessible to the general population.
The ability to mass-produce books accelerated the spread of information – and history has never been the same after this: there came the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution.
Gutenberg’s invention laid the foundation for modern mass communication and influenced the development of education, politics, and culture worldwide, not just in Germany. To some degree, we can even say that blogging and social media today exist because Gutenberg made this discovery.
5. Unification of Germany
The unification of Germany on January 18, 1871, was a watershed moment in European history.
It was led by Otto von Bismarck, the “Iron Chancellor” of Prussia. The unification marked the end of decades of complicated political maneuvering and several wars.
Before unification, the area that is now Germany consisted of numerous independent states, with Prussia and Austria being the most powerful. Bismarck’s strategic alliances and carefully managed these conflicts, including the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.
The newly formed German Empire, with Wilhelm I as its emperor, quickly became a major European power.
And why was this important? Well, this even set the stage for Germany’s rapid industrialization and this is why Germany became a global economic and military force in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
6. Reunification of East and West Germany
The fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, symbolized the end of the Cold War and set in motion the process of German reunification.
On October 3, 1990, less than a year after the Wall fell, East and West Germany were officially reunited, ending four decades of division.
The reunification involved negotiations between the two German states and for Allied powers (the US, the UK, France, and the Soviet Union).
While reunification was celebrated as a triumph of democracy and freedom, it also presented challenges.
The integration of East Germany’s socialist economy with West Germany’s capitalist system led to economic difficulties and social tensions that persisted for years – and can be even felt in 2024.
Cultural highlights of Germany
As it is with Germany’s history, the culture is also magnificent!
Art, buildings, regional traditions, language, and… food! 🙂
7. Castles in Germany
Germany’s landscape is dotted with over 20,000 castles.
These structures range from medieval fortresses perched atop hills to ornate baroque palaces surrounded by manicured gardens.
Among the most famous is Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, built in the 19th century by King Ludwig II.
Its fairy-tale appearance inspired Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle.
The Heidelberg Castle, partly in ruins, offers a sight into Renaissance architecture.
8. The German language diversity
While German is the official language of Germany, the linguistic landscape is a bit more complicated.
As you might know, there is Austrian German and also Swiss German, but they speak German in parts of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein, too.
Within Germany itself, there are around 35 (!) different German dialects.
The German dialects can be so different that it’s hard even for German natives to understand everything. Just think about the difference between Bavarian German and Low German.
At the same time, High German (Hochdeutsch) is the standard form of the language used in formal contexts, education, and national media.
9. The German cuisine and the German food vocabulary you need
German cuisine is as diverse as its regions, offering much more than the stereotypical sausages and beer.
With over 1,500 types of sausages (Wurst) and more than 3,200 varieties of bread, German food culture celebrates both tradition and new influences.
In Bavaria, you might enjoy Weisswurst (white sausage) with sweet mustard and a pretzel, while in Hamburg, you could savor a plate of Labskaus, a sailor’s dish made with corned beef, potatoes, and beetroot. The Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg is famous for its ham and the decadent Black Forest cake.
Germany’s food culture is also influence by its immigrant communities. Turkish döner kebab has become a popular fast food throughout the country.
And let’s not even mention the thing about how to order beer in German 🙂
The true economic power of Germany
Germany’s economic strength is a cornerstone of its global influence. Without it, we wouldn’t talk about the German language so much.
As Europe’s largest economy and one of the world’s leading exporters, Germany is shaping global economic trends.
10. The largest economy in the EU
Germany has the largest economy in the European Union, with a GDP exceeding €3.3 trillion.
This powerhouse is driven by a strong manufacturing sector, innovative industries, and a robust export market.
The country’s economic model, often referred to as the “social market economy,” combines free-market capitalism with strong social welfare programs.
German products are well-known worldwide. We’re sure you know the German automotive industry, machinery and chemical industries.
11. The German automotive industry
And since we mentioned the automotive industry…
It’s the pillar of the German economy, employing more than 786,100 people and producing over 3 million cars annually.
German car brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Porsche are synonymous with quality and innovation worldwide.
Germany’ has a strong tradition of engineering excellence. Pair this with academia, and you have the best cars in Europe and the world. h
The automotive industry supports a network of suppliers and contributes to Germany’s export success.
Other interesting facts about Germany
Beyond its geography, history, culture, and economy, Germany offers many more fascinating aspects
12. Speed limits or no speed limits?
One of Germany’s most famous (or infamous) features is the lack of a general speed limit on many of its highways, known as the Autobahn.
Approximately 65% of the Autobahn network has no speed limit, allowing for high-speed travel that’s unthinkable in most other countries.
This doesn’t mean a complete absence of rules.
Many sections of the Autobahn do have speed limits, especially near cities or construction zones.
There’s also an advisory speed limit (Richtgeschwindigkeit) of 130 km/h (about 80 mph), and drivers can be held liable in accidents if they exceed this speed.
13. The land of Poets and Thinkers
Germany has long been known as “Das Land der Dichter und Denker” (The Land of Poets and Thinkers), a testament to its contributions to world culture, philosophy, and science.
In music, Germany has produced some of the world’s most renowned classical composers: Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johannes Brahms.
In literature, writers like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Friedrich Schiller, and Thomas Mann have left a mark on world literature.
German philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Karl Marx have profoundly influenced Western thought.
In science, Germany has been home to groundbreaking thinkers. Albert Einstein, who developed the theory of relativity, is perhaps the most famous.
14. The famous German festivals
This list and blog post wouldn’t be complete without the German festivals and German holidays.
The most famous of these is undoubtedly Oktoberfest in Munich.
Oktoberfest, the world’s largest beer festival, attracts millions of visitors each year.
Despite its name, it actually begins in late September and runs for about two weeks.
he festival is a celebration of Bavarian culture, featuring traditional costumes (Dirndl for women and Lederhosen for men), Bavarian music, and, of course, plenty of beer served in massive one-liter mugs called Maß.
But Oktoberfest is just one of many festivals in Germany.
The Berlinale, one of the world’s leading film festivals, takes place each February in Berlin.
The Rhine in Flames festival features spectacular fireworks displays over the Rhine River.
Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte) pop up in towns and cities across the country during the Advent season, offering traditional crafts, food, and Glühwein (mulled wine).
Learn interesting facts about Germany with Conversation Based Chunking
So, why did we share all of these interesting facts about Germany with you?
Because we think that by knowing these interesting facts about Germany, you will also learn the German language easily. And to help you on this language learning journey, we can give you a head start.
Use Conversation Based Chunking: a method that immerses you fully in the language, so you can learn all these facts and the language at the same time without actually having to remember and memorize boring grammar rules and German vocabulary lists.
What are you waiting for? Sign up now!