Germany photos

Germany is Europe's most industrialized and populous country. As the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms, among others, Germany's gift to European classical music is colossal, while Goethe, Heine, Kant and Thomas Mann are giants in the world of letters and philosophy. Germany rebounded to become the continent's economic giant, and a prime mover of European cooperation. With the end of the Cold War, the two parts of the country were once again united, but at an economic price that is still being felt. Germany's economic success since World War II is to a large extent built on its potent export industries, fiscal discipline and consensus-driven industrial relations and welfare policies. It is particularly famed for its high-quality and high-tech goods. The country has famous beer brewing traditions. Beer purity laws dating back to 1516 limit the fermentation ingredients to malted grain, hops, yeast and water. Germany has a wealth of unspoilt natural landscapes. Its flora and fauna are wonderfully diverse and often unique. Germany's nature reserves achieve an exemplary balance between the interests of nature conservation and the needs of holidaymakers (walking, cycling, water sports, rock climbing, visits to cultural monuments...). Providing opportunities for people to come face to face with nature is one of their main objectives.