Following World War 2 and the defeat of Hitler's reign, Germany was divided east and west by politics and in 1961, by the Berlin Wall. In 1990, along with the crumbling of the communist-ruled Soviet Union, the Berlin Wall came down. And thus, East and West Germany officially became the Federal Republic of Germany, a democratic society with freedom of religion and freedom of the press.

Terrain in Germany, a third of which is still covered in forests, varies from low coastal flats in the north, to rolling hills and valleys in the central regions, to the Bavarian and Bohemian forests in the southeast, to the snowcapped Alps and the dense mountainous forest (aptly named the Black Forest) on its southern side. Several of Europe's transportation rivers cut through the country, connected by canals, such as the Rhine, Elbe and the Danube.

The German people love hiking, camping, sports and social gatherings with friends and family. Their appetite for a good life includes a menu rich with flavorful sausages and cheeses, breads and pastries, beers and wine. They make time for entertainment, too, by attending operas, ballet, and the symphonies. Two thirds are Christians, divided almost equally between Protestants and Roman Catholic.

Weather in Germany is seasonal and generally moderate, with occasional cold winter snaps and hot summer days. The southern regions have more rainfall than the northern and central areas.

Language is German with two dialects. High German is used for official purposes schools, literary and Low German is spoken in normal conversations. Staff in tourist centers, hotels, and restaurants are multilingual. Most speak French, Spanish, English and Italian. Department stores and street shops usually have one or two person with the ability to speak several languages, but don't expect the regular resident or pedestrian to be able to converse with you in anything but the German tongue.

Currency in Germany is the fluctuating Euro Dollar.