how is germany divided geographically

Geographers often divide Germany into four distinct topographic regions: the North German Lowland; the Central German Uplands; Southern Germany; and the Alpine Foreland and the Alps

. Area: total: 357,022 sq km land: 348,672 sq km

Full Answer

How did Germany come to be divided nation?

In the aftermath of World War II (1939–45) and following occupation by the victorious powers (the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, and France), Germany came to consist of two states. One, East Germany, never attained real legitimacy in the eyes of its citizens, fell farther and farther behind economically, and had to use force to prevent its population from fleeing to the West.

Is Germany still divided between East and West?

Germany is still divided by east and west. After the collapse of Nazi Germany in the Second World War, Germany was split within the western countries and the Soviet Union in the east. The Federal Republic of Germany, usually known as West Germany, was a congressional democracy with a capitalist economic system, free religion, and labor unions.

Why and when was Germany divided?

This was when Germany divided between the two.West Germany became a democracy and East Germany became Communist nation. Until 22 June 1941, when Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, the Soviet Union … On Jan. 13, 1942, German U-boat attacks officially started against merchant ships along the Eastern Seaboard of North America.

What is the diversity in Germany?

The diversity debate in Germany Germany was already home to millions of visible minorities, but migration and globalization have had a major impact on its population in recent years. The discussion...

What are the 4 regions of Germany?

Geographers often divide Germany into four distinct topographic regions: the North German Lowland; the Central German Uplands; Southern Germany; and the Alpine Foreland and the Alps.

What are the five regions of Germany?

Germany is divided into five natural regions from North to South (Fig. 1): the (1) North and Baltic Sea coast and the North German Plain, (2) the Central Uplands, (3) the South German Scarplands and the Upper Rhine Plain, (4) the Alpine Foreland, and (5) the German Alps (Beier- kuhnlein, 2017).

How wide is Germany east to west?

about 388 milesBy size, I mean north-south, east-west dimensions. At her “tallest” or “widest” points, Germany is about 533 miles (or 857 kilometers if you're German) from north to south and about 388 miles (or 625 kilometers) from eastern Germany to West Germany.

How many states Germany was divided?

As a federal system, the German Federal Republic consists of 16 federal states whose state governments partly take on their own state duties.

What are different regions in Germany called?

StatesBavaria.Bremen.Hamburg.Hesse.Saxony.Thuringia.

Does Germany have different states?

Since reunification in 1990, the Federal Republic of Germany has had 16 rather than just eleven Länder or federal states, the five new states being Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Districts in the former East Germany (GDR) were merged to recreate the former historic states.

Why is Germany called Deutschland?

The etymology of Deutschland is pretty simple. The word deutsch comes from diutisc in Old High German, which means “of the people.” Land literally just means “land.” In other words, Deutschland basically means something to the effect of “the people's land.”

Is Germany bigger than California?

California is approximately 403,882 sq km, while Germany is approximately 357,022 sq km, making Germany 88.4% the size of California. Meanwhile, the population of California is ~37.3 million people (42.9 million more people live in Germany). We have positioned the outline of California near the middle of Germany.

Is Texas bigger than Germany?

Texas is about 1.9 times bigger than Germany. Germany is approximately 357,022 sq km, while Texas is approximately 678,052 sq km, making Texas 90% larger than Germany. Meanwhile, the population of Germany is ~80.2 million people (55.0 million fewer people live in Texas).

Is Germany still divided into 4 zones?

After the collapse of Nazi Germany in the Second World War, Germany was split within the western countries and the Soviet Union in the east.

Why was Germany split into 4 zones?

For purposes of occupation, the Americans, British, French, and Soviets divided Germany into four zones. The American, British, and French zones together made up the western two-thirds of Germany, while the Soviet zone comprised the eastern third.

How did Germany split into East and west?

At the Potsdam Conference (17 July to 2 August 1945), after Germany's unconditional surrender on 8 May 1945, the Allies officially divided Germany into the four military occupation zones — France in the Southwest, the United Kingdom in the Northwest, the United States in the South, and the Soviet Union in the East, ...

What is Germany's area?

The above outline map represents Germany, a Central European nation. Covering an area of 357, 022 sq. km, it is the 7th largest country in Europe. Germany is also the 2 nd most populous country in Europe and the most populous member-state of EU.

Where is Germany's land?

In the northeast, and then stretching to the south of Berlin, Germany's land remains sandy and punctuated by dozens of mostly small lakes formed by retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age. The land then rises into the forested uplands of central Germany.

What are the rivers in Germany?

Additional rivers of size include the Elbe, Ems, Havel, Isr, Lahn, Lech, Main, Moselle, Oder, Spree and Weser. The largest lakes include Chiemsee and Muritz and Lake Constance along the Swiss border in the south. The lowest point (natural) in Germany is Neuendorf-Sachsenbande in Wilstermarsch at 3.54 m (11.6 ft) below sea-level.

What are the major mountains in Germany?

Moving eastward through Germany, the Vogelsberg Mountains, Rhon Plateau (or Mts.), and Thuringian Forest are the dominant features. The uplands continue eastward, eventually rising into the Ore Mountains on the Czech Republic border. In the far south, the land remains mostly hilly, with heavily forested mountains.

How long is the Danube?

Rising in the Alps of Switzerland, its overall length runs (820 miles) (1,319 km), and along with it, path numerous tributaries and branches stretch in all directionsAnother river of note is the Danube, which rises in the Black Forest to then stretch across central Europe all the way to the Black Sea.

What are canals used for in Germany?

They're used for commercial and local traffic and by large fleets of cruising riverboats and charter barges.

What is the name of the mountain range that covers the Czech Republic?

The Bohemian Forest covers a lower mountain range along the Czech Republic border. Along the country's far-southwestern border with the Rhine River and France stands the thick (story-book famous) Black Forest. The Bavarian Alps, the highest mountains in Germany, stretch across its southern border with Austria.

How big is Germany?

Roughly the size of Montana and situated even farther north, unified Germany has an area of 356,959 square kilometers. Extending 853 kilometers from its northern border with Denmark to the Alps in the south, it is the sixth largest country in Europe. At its widest, Germany measures approximately 650 kilometers from the Belgian-German border in ...

When did Germany move its capital to Berlin?

After a close vote, in 1993 the Bundestag, the lower house of Germany’s parliament, voted to transfer the capital from Bonn in the west to Berlin, a city-state in the east surrounded by the Land of Brandenburg.

What is the landscape of hills crisscrossed by streams, rivers, and valleys?

A plain dotted with lakes, moors, marshes, and heaths retreats from the sea and reaches inland, where it becomes a landscape of hills crisscrossed by streams, rivers, and valleys. These hills lead upward, gradually forming high plateaus and woodlands and eventually climaxing in spectacular mountain ranges.

How many countries did Germany split into?

The victorious powers divided Germany into four zones of occupation and later into two countries: the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany), separated for more than 40 years by a long boundary.

Where is Germany located?

For the article summary, see Germany summary . Germany, officially Federal Republic of Germany, German Deutschland or Bundesrepublik Deutschland, country of north-central Europe, traversing the continent’s main physical divisions, from the outer ranges of the Alps northward across the varied landscape of the Central German Uplands ...

What was the second Reich?

This so-called Second Reich quickly became Europe’s leading power and acquired colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. That overseas empire was dismantled following Germany’s defeat in World War I and the abdication of Emperor William II.

What is the geography of Germany?

Geography and Climate of Germany. Germany is located in Central Europe along the Baltic and North Seas. It also shares borders with nine different countries—some of which include France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Belgium.

How many states are there in Germany?

The country is divided into 16 states for local administration.

What is the climate in Germany?

The climate of Germany is considered temperate and marine. It has cool, wet winters and mild summers. The average January low temperature for Berlin, the capital of Germany, is 28.6 degrees (-1.9˚C) and the average July high temperature the city is 74.7 degrees (23.7˚C).

What are the main industries in Germany?

Other industries in Germany include machinery production, motor vehicle manufacture, electronics, shipbuilding, and textiles. Agriculture also plays a role in Germany's economy and the main products are potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, cabbage, fruit, cattle, pigs, and dairy products.

What is Germany's economy?

Germany has a very strong, modern economy that is considered the fifth largest in the world. In addition, according to the CIA World Factbook, it is one of the world's most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, and chemicals. Other industries in Germany include machinery production, motor vehicle manufacture, electronics, shipbuilding, and textiles. Agriculture also plays a role in Germany's economy and the main products are potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, cabbage, fruit, cattle, pigs, and dairy products.

What was the name of the country that took over Germany in 1945?

On May 8, 1945, Germany surrendered and the United States, United Kingdom, USSR, and France took control under what was called Four Power Control. Initially, Germany was to be controlled as a single unit, but eastern Germany soon became dominated by Soviet policies. In 1948, the USSR blockaded Berlin and by 1949 East and West Germany were created. ...

What is Germany's capital?

Updated September 04, 2019. Germany is a country located in Western and Central Europe. Its capital and largest city is Berlin, but other large cities include Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Frankfurt. Germany is one of the most populous countries of the European Union and has one of the largest economies in Europe.

Where is Germany located in Europe?

It borders nine neighbors, more than any other European country. Germany's largest wooded area, and its most famous, is in the southwest near the Swiss border .

What is Germany's landscape?

In the north, the landscape flattens out to a wide plain that stretches to the North Sea. Between these extremes, Germany is a country of incredible variety.

What are the animals that live in Germany?

Germany's major unspoiled habitats are in two main regions. The flat northern coast is home to sea life and wading birds, while the forested hills and mountains in the south are the best place to find wildcats, boar, ibex, and other large mammals.

What percentage of Germans are Christians?

About two-thirds of Germans are Christians. Germany has been called the "Land of Poets and Thinkers.". Germans are famous in all forms of art, but particularly classical music. Germany's famous composers include Bach, Brahms, Schumann, Wagner, and Beethoven.

How many nature reserves are there in Germany?

The German government works hard to protect the country's wildlife. There are 97 nature reserves in Germany, the biggest of which is the Black Forest. Despite these efforts, though, many species are at risk of extinction, including certain species of whales, beavers, and minks.

Which country has forested hills and mountains?

Germany. Germany's central and southern regions have forested hills and mountains cut through by the Danube, Main, and Rhine river valleys.

When did Hitler invade Poland?

Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party came to power in 1933 promising to make Germany great again. In 1939 , Hitler invaded Poland, starting World War II. During the war, Hitler created camps in Germany where millions of Jewish people and others were murdered.

What was the western part of Germany called?

In the west, the Saar area formed a French-controlled protectorate with limited autonomy, but its own citizenship laws. With the onset of the Cold War, the western part of Germany was unified as the Trizone, becoming the Federal Republic of Germany in May 1949 ("West Germany").

How many occupation zones did Germany and Austria have?

Division of Germany and Austria respectively into four occupation zones (earlier agreed in principle at Yalta ), and the similar division of each's capital, Berlin and Vienna, into four and five sectors (one quadripartite sector), respectively.

How did the Nazis change their fortunes?

The Nazis' fortunes changed after the failure of the invasion of Soviet Union. The Nazi regime eventually collapsed, and the Allies occupied Germany. The former eastern territories of Germany were ceded to Poland and the Soviet Union and the Oder and Neisse Rivers became Germany's new eastern boundary.

What was the effect of Nazi rule on Germany?

Nazi Germany initially expanded the country's territory dramatically and conquered most of Europe, though not all areas were added to Germany officially.

What are the territorial changes of the Baltic states?

v. t. e. The territorial changes of Germany include all changes in the borders and territory of Germany from its formation in 1871 to the present . Modern Germany was formed in 1871 when Otto von Bismarck unified most of the German states, with the notable exception of Austria, into the German Empire.

Which part of Poland did the Slavonic Masurians vote to remain part of?

From the eastern part of West Prussia and the southern part of East Prussia Warmia and Masuria, an area to Poland (see East Prussian plebiscite ); contrary what nationalists claim, that ethnicity should determine national identity, the majority of the Slavonic Masurians voted to remain part of Germany.

When did Germany become a pro-Nazi country?

Germany in 1939 before the start of World War II. On 13 March 1939, Nazi armies entered Prague and proceeded to occupy the remainder of Bohemia and Moravia, which was transformed into a protectorate of the Reich. The eastern half of the country, Slovakia, became a separate pro-Nazi state, the Slovak Republic .

How many zones were there in Germany?

The country was divided into four separate zones, each to be governed by one of the Allied Powers and France. The goal was to treat Germany as a single economic zone, but trade issues necessitated that the Western and Eastern zones of the country be considered separately. By 1949, the Western half of Germany, also known as the Federal Republic ...

What countries were involved in the demilitarization of Germany?

Following the close of the war at the Yalta and Potsdam conferences in 1945, the United States, Great Britain, the USSR and, to a lesser extent, France, planned the demilitarization and democratization of Germany. The country was divided into four separate zones, each to be governed by one of the Allied Powers and France.

Where is the Berlin Wall?

The Berlin Wall was formerly a 96-mile border surrounding West Berlin. Today, some parts of the wall remain, and much of it covered with graffiti and protest art. The Berlin Wall Memorial is located in the center of the capital city and extends across nearly a mile of the wall's former location.

What happened to Germany in 1945?

German military surrendered in Berlin on May 9, 1945. At this time, the country had been almost totally destroyed. Approximately 12 million of Germany's citizens had been made refugees, and the country's economy was in shambles. As Germany had been responsible for the conflict and for the Holocaust itself, it bore much of the responsibility for the devastation throughout Europe. Reparations were paid by Germany to France, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom, largely in the form of factories, coal and other labor-related resources.

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