Facts About Germany:

One of the great powers of the industrial world, Germany rose from a collection of small states, principalities, and dukedoms to become a unified empire in 1871. The German empire was strategically located between France and Russia, and it clashed with both nations as it attempted to expand its borders. This rivalry resulted in World War I, in which Germany was defeated. Germany, however, emerged again as a major force in Europe in the 1930s under the leadership of Adolf Hitler.

Germany is located in north-central Europe. There have been few changes during the last two centuries on the western border with France, Belgium, and The Netherlands, but the border in the east with Poland has been redrawn several times in the same period and now lies along the Oder and Neisse rivers. Part of Germany's eastern border is shared with Czechoslovakia. The southern German borders with Austria and Switzerland are more clearly defined by the ranges of the Alps and by Lake Constance. The boundary between West and East Germany did not follow natural features to any extent but was a result of the division of Germany into zones of occupation after World War II.

Climate: temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm foehn wind
Terrain: lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south
Population: 82,398,326 (July 2003 est.)
Ethnic groups: Gerrman 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Serbo-Croatian, Italian, Russian, Greek, Polish, Spanish)
Language: German

• The famous Black Forest Open-Air Museum "Vogtsbauernhof" in Gutach (approx. 25 km = 15 miles) and gain an insight into the living and working conditions of the Black forest Farmers in the 16th and 17th century.
• The Dorotheenhütte in Wolfach (approx. 30 km = 18 miles). This glass blowing workshop (by mouth) with its glass museum and Xmas village is well worth visiting.
• The mountain world of the Steinwasen Park near Oberried (approx. 45 km = 30 miles) has two 800 m (2600 feet) long summer toboggan runs, a new bobcart and glacier run and the biggest suspension bridge of the world.
• The well know family amusement park Europa Park (approx. 60 km = 40 miles) offers over 60 attractions and may shows for both young and old.
• The historical steam engine, the "Säulenschwänzlebahn" in Blumberg (approx. 40 km = 25 miles).
• Our district town of Villingen-Schwenningen (approx. 25 km = 15 miles), an old town founded by the Zähringers can also be reached by the Black Forest railway.
• Freiburg (approx. 80 km = 50 miles), 850 year old university town.
• Feldberg (approx. 60 km = 40 miles) with its 1493 m (4898 feet) the highest point in the Black Forest. At the foot of the Feldberg lies the romantic lake of Titisee (approx 35 km = 20 miles).
• Lake Constance (approx. 100 km = 60 miles) with the flower island of Mainau, the Birnau Cloister and much more.
• The neighbouring countries - France and Switzerland. Strassbourg (F) with its Minster (approx. 90 km = 55 miles) in Alsace Lorraine is well worth a visit. A splendid spectacle is the Rhine waterfall at Schaffhausen (CH), (approx. 80 km = 50 miles).
• The German Clock route, a round tour of the Black Forest delving into the history of the Black Forest clocks. Length: 320 km (200 miles).

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