General Information for Germany

Area:
357,021 sq km (137,847 sq miles).

Population:
82,057,379 (1997).

Capital:
Berlin. Population: 3,446,600 (1997).

Geography:
The Federal Republic of Germany shares frontiers with Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Poland and Switzerland. The northwest of the country has a coastline on the North Sea with islands known for their health resorts, while the Baltic coastline in the northeast stretches from the Danish to the Polish border.

Government:
Federal Republic. Head of State: President Johannes Rau since 1999. Head of Government: Chancellor Gerhard Schröder since 1998.

Language:
German. English is widely spoken and French is also spoken, particularly in the Saarland. In the north of Schleswig-Holstein, Danish is spoken by the Danish minority and taught in schools. In Brandenburg and Saxony, Sorbic is spoken by the ethnic minority called the Sorbs and is also taught in about 50 schools. Regional dialects often differ markedly from standard German.

Religion:
Approximately 34% Protestant, 33% Roman Catholic with Jewish, Muslim and other non-Christian minorities.

Electricity:
230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round 2-pin plugs are in use. Lamp fittings are screw type.

Telephone:
Full IDD is available. Country code: 49. Outgoing international code: 00. National and international calls can be made from coin- or card-operated telephone booths. Calls can be made from post offices. Cheap rate applies Mon-Fri 1800-0800 and all day Saturday and Sunday. Discount phonecards from private companies can be bought from shops and kiosks.

Mobile telephone:
GSM 900 and 1800 networks cover the whole country. It is illegal to use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving.

Fax:
Facilities are increasingly available in eastern Germany.

Internet/E-mail:
There are many cybercafés all over the country. Large Internet access centres are opening in main cities. Hotels also provide facilities. ISPs include Data Online.

Post Office:
Stamps are available from hotels, slot machines and post offices. A 5-figure postal code is used on all internal addresses. Poste Restante mail should be addressed as follows: recipient's name, Postlagernd, Hauptpostamt, post code, name of town. Post office hours: 0900-1800 Monday to Friday and 0900-1200 Saturday. Smaller branches may close for lunch.