Germany Facts
Germany is the most populous European country (apart from Russia), with a population of 82 million. You probably didn’t know the following surprising and odd facts about this European country!
- There are 35 dialects of the German language.
- German is spoken by more than 100 million people worldwide.
- Germany is Europe’s largest economy.
- Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
The Berlin Wall was constructed as a way of preventing East Berliners from entering West Berlin. It was not so much a boundary for West Berliners wanting to enter the East, who were able to do so by obtaining a permit several weeks in advance.
- The working week in Germany also includes Saturday.
- Germans are the second largest beer consumers in the world, after the Irish.
- Beer is officially considered a food in Bavaria.
- There are over 300 kinds of bread in Germany.
- There are over 1,000 kinds of sausages in Germany.
- Germans answer the phone with their surname instead of Hello.
- There are more soccer fan clubs in Germany than in any other country.
- There are over 150 castles in Germany.
- Chancellor Angela Merkel has a Barbie doll made after her.
- Albert Einstein, the most recognized scientist in the world, was German and born in Ulm.
- The Christmas tree (Tannenbaum) tradition came from Germany.
- Gummy Bears were invented by the German Hans Riegel.
- The first printed book was in German.
- Other notable German inventions include: the telephone, diesel engine, aspirin, fluorescent lamp, and the pregnancy test.
- Famous German composers include Beethoven, Schumann, Bach, Wagner, Strauss, and Handel.
- Holocaust denial is a crime in Germany.
- The world’s tallest cathedral is in Ulm.
- Berlin has the largest train station in Europe.
- With an area of 891 square kilometres, Berlin is nine times bigger than Paris.
- The biggest festival is called Oktoberfest, but starts in September.
Check out our printable Germany flags for kids, here!
