Germany has about 82 million inhabitants. It is by far the largest country in the EU in terms of population. Photo: Schloss Neuschwanstein (Neuschwanstein Castle), Hohenschwangau, Bavaria, Germany

Germany’s path to a liberal constitutional democracy and a functioning parliamentary system involved many historical ruptures. Photo: Hohenzollerrnbrucke and Koelner Dom (Hohenzollerrn Bridge and Köln Cathedral), Köln, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Germany is a land of ideas. Education, science and research play a central role here. Photo: Goethe Schiller Denkmal (Goethe–Schiller Monument), Weimar, Thuringia, Germany

Great cuisine and fine wines, relaxing in Mother Nature, festivals and celebrations, vacation, design and fashion, inspiring architecture. Photo: Mosel Wine Region

There are many sides to cultural life in Germany: From North to South there are around 300 theaters and 130 professional orchestras. Photo: Hamburg

In the international arena German companies have an excellent reputation. They represent “Made in Germany”, known as a seal of quality the world over. Photo: Reichstag Building, Berlin, Germany