Germany

Germany is a central European country extending from the North Sea until the Alps. With an area of 357021 sq km and a population of 82 million inhabitants it is the most populous country in the European Union. While Germany has been inhabited since prehistoric times, its written history dates back to the Roman times, when the Romans made first contact with Germanic tribes living in the area. Over the centuries a number of states and kingdoms have existed in the current territory of Germany, and the country was only unified in the 19th century. Following World War II Germany was split into two states which were unified again in 1990. Germany is a federal republic with the capital in Berlin. A major economic power, Germany has the world's fourth largest economy and is the world's largest exporter of goods. It has a high standard of living and an extensive social security network. Germany holds a key position in European affairs and maintains many close partnerships on a global level. It is a scientific and technological leader in many fields, among them chemicals and environmental technologies.