All About Germany for Memory Care Community Audience

Just like it sounds a quick overview of german culture

1. All About Germany

2. INTRODUCTIONS The country’s population is about 83.6 million people Germany consists of 16 states The Total Land Mass is 57,600 km2 (138,070 sq mi) The Capital is Berlin The Official name of Germany is: Bundesrepublik Deutschland 3 4 3 2 1 About Germany

3. HIGHLIGHTS The modern German states were built after World War II during the allied occupation. The states in West Germany joined and formed the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) in 1949. Only 7 of the 16 new states existed before: Bavaria, Bremen, Hamburg, Baden and Saarland in the west, Saxony and Thuringia in Eastern Germany. All other states were amalgamations of formerly much smaller states and Prussian provinces. In 1952 three south-western states (Baden, Württemberg-Hohenzollern and Württemberg-Baden) merged to form Baden-Württemberg. Five years later, France returned the Saarland to Germany. Berlin was not a state until the German reunification on 3rd October 1990. Berlin was under the sovereignty of the allies, USA, Great Britain, France and the Soviet-Union. There are 13 area states in Germany (Flächenländer), and 3 city states (Stadtstaaten), Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen. The latter actually consists of Bremen and Bremerhaven. Head of a state is the Ministerpräsident in the area states, and the Bürgermeister in the city states. Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Western, Pomerania, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia The 16 States of Germany

4. “Home is where the Dom is”. The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Mary, is a masterpiece of High Gothic architecture, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site . The Cologne Cathedral dominates the city skyline like no other building and is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. The Cologne Cathedral is not only a popular destination for tourists but also one of the most famous landmarks that Cologne is known for. The stairs leading down from the cathedral to the train station or the square on the opposite side – the so-called “Domplatte” – is a popular meeting place. Cologne

5. Nightlife Mainz is famous for being a city that knows how to party, which is great for students at our Mainz CBS campus. One of the most popular celebrations in Mainz is Fassenacht, where you can expect to party all day and all night in various locations across the city. Wine production Mainz is known for being Germany’s wine capital as it’s in the center of the famous Rheinhessen region. The 26,500 hectares of vineyards produce some of the most well-known German wines such as Riesling and Silvaner. Mainz

6. Sanssouci Palace: The Versailles of Germany Potsdam is known for its beautiful castles, the most well-known being Sanssouci Palace - some even call it the Versailles of Germany. It’s an 18th Century palace that was commissioned by the Prussian King, Frederick the Great - the name of the castle is also French for ‘carefree’. Education hub Potsdam is home to over 30 more research institutions and universities. This includes the University of Potsdam, Fachhochschule, and the College of Film and Television. Potsdam

7. Historical landmarks Berlin is home to many iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall Memorial, and Checkpoint Charlie. These sites serve as powerful reminders of Germany's divided past and are must-visit locations for anyone wanting to understand the country’s history. Art and culture Berlin is a haven for art lovers, with over 170 museums including the renowned Museum Island (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The city’s alternative and contemporary art scene is also thriving, particularly in areas like Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. Berlin

8. Religion Germany Christianity - 67.2% 29.88% Protestant 29% Catholic Non-religious 25.8% Agnostics 23.34% Atheists 2.34% Muslim 6.42% Hindus .11% The World Christianity - 32.16% 7.51% Protestant 15.9% Catholic Non-religious 11.5% Agnostics 9.65% Atheists 1.92% Muslim 24.20% Hindus 13.58

9. German Food Spätzle is a special kind of egg noodle that is often enjoyed as a side dish with gravies or sauces but also the main ingredient in other dishes like the famous Käsespätzle. SPAETZLE Schnitzel is a thin slice of meat. The meat is usually thinned by pounding with a meat tenderizer. Most commonly, the meat is breaded before frying. is made using veal, pork, chicken, or beef. SCHNITZEL Sauerkraut is a finely shredded, fermented cabbage dish with a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavor. It's made by lactic acid fermentation, where beneficial bacteria convert sugars in the cabbage into lactic acid, which acts as a preservative and gives sauerkraut its tangy taste. SAUERKRAUT A mildly spiced German-style link sausage typically made with pork, although veal and beef are occasionally used as well. There are numerous regional variations, herbs and spices like marjoram, coriander, nutmeg and pepper are typically added to bratwurst to give it a distinctive flavor. BRATWURST

10. German Food A cold herb sauce made from seven distinct herbs, sour cream and yoghurt. The 7 herbs are Borretsch (Borage), Kerbel (Chervil), Kresse (Garden Cress), Petersilie (Parsley), Pimpinelle (Salad Burnet), Sauerampfer (Sorrel), Schnittlauch (Chives) FRANKFURTER GREEN SAUCE P asta dough filled with a mixture of meat (often ground beef and pork), spinach, onions, bread crumbs, and seasonings like nutmeg and parsley. It's often described as German ravioli, and can be served in broth or fried with onions. MAULTASCHEN A simple, tart salad featuring thinly sliced sausage, onions, and a vinegar-based dressing. Often served as a snack or light meal. Variations include adding cheese, gherkins, or other vegetables, and using different types of sausage like Lyoner or Cervelat. WURSTSALAT A dish of sliced or diced cooked potatoes pan-fried until golden brown and crispy. It's often enhanced with bacon, onions, and seasonings. BRATKARTOFFEL

11. German Food Black Forest Cake is a traditional German dessert made with chocolate sponge cake layers filled with whipped cream and cherries. This delicious cake recipe is completely made from scratch and perfect for special occasions! Black Forest Cake A rich and smooth dessert, similar to custard or mousse. It typically includes milk, egg yolks, sugar, gelatin, and whipped cream. Gelatin provides structure, allowing the cream to hold its shape when served in a mold or as a filling. Bavarian Cream A si mple dough that bakes up into a flaky, buttery crust and a juicy, spiced apple filling studded with rum-soaked raisins and finely chopped almonds. Apple Strudel A gingerbread-like cookie, often enjoyed during the Christmas season. It's known for its soft, dense, and often nutty texture, with a flavor profile that includes warming spices like ginger, cloves, and nutmeg, along with honey and sometimes nuts like almonds and hazelnuts. It's distinguished by an edible wafer, called Oblaten, on the bottom. Lebkuchen

12. Annual 2-week festival in Munich, Germany, ending on the 1st Sunday in October. Approx. 6 million people attend each year. Began in 1815 to celebrate the marriage of the Bavarian Prince Ludwig with Hildburghausen Princess Therese. Oktoberfest

13. HIGHLIGHTS 1618-1648 - Thirty-Years' War 1806 - Napoleon's armies impose French rule over much of Germany 1848 - Year of Revolutions sees attempts to unite Germany under a democratic constitution 1890 - Founding of the Social Democratic Party of Germany. 1914-1918 - World War I 1919 - Treaty of Versailles 1939-1945 - World War II 1949 - Germany is divided into East and West Germany 1958 - Germany joins the EU 1989 - Germans from East and West tear down the Berlin Wall 2002 - Euro replaces Deutsche Mark. Famous German History

14. Famous German Car Brands Volkswagen BMW Mercedes Benz

15. German Sports Soccer The most popular sport in Germany, and the one that is most well-known, is football. The German football league, Bundesliga, is one of the most successful European football leagues. The German football team has also won 4 World Cups (the second most successful nation, after Brazil), 3 European Championships, and 1 Confederations Cup. Hockey Germany is also known for its ice hockey, or eishockey, league, which may surprise you. The sport is known for having the loudest fans of any sport in the country. The German ice hockey league is known to be one of the best leagues worldwide, but still behind the American NHL league.

16. German Sports Golf Golf is another famous German sport and is very popular among wealthy Germans. Golfing tournaments aren’t televised on free German TV, but the most successful German golfer at the moment is Martin Kaymer. He was once named the top golfer in the world in 2011 and has been the second youngest ever top-ranked golfer worldwide.

17. Famous German People Albert Einstein (born March 14, 1879, Ulm, Württemberg, Germany—died April 18, 1955, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.) was a German-born physicist who developed the special and general theories of relativity and won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921 for his explanation of the photoelectric effect. Einstein is generally considered the most influential physicist of the 20th century. Albert Einstein

18. Famous German People Ludwig van Beethoven (baptized December 17, 1770, Bonn, archbishopric of Cologne [Germany]—died March 26, 1827, Vienna, Austria) was a German composer, the predominant musical figure in the transitional period between the Classical and Romantic eras. The first period, between 1794 and 1800, is characterized by traditional 18th-century technique and sounds. The second period, between 1801 and 1814, is marked by an increased use of improvisatory material. The third period, between 1814 and 1827, featured a wide range of musical harmonies and textures. Beethoven’s second period was his most prolific. He composed many of his most famous pieces—including the Eroica Symphony (1805), Symphony No. 5 in C Minor (1808), Symphony No. 6 in F Major (1808), and Symphony No. 7 in A Major (1813)—during that time. Ludwig van Beethoven

19. Famous German People Karl Marx (May 5, 1818–March 14, 1883), a Prussian political economist, journalist, and activist, and author of the seminal works, "The Communist Manifesto" and "Das Kapital," influenced generations of political leaders and socioeconomic thinkers. Also known as the Father of Communism, Marx's ideas gave rise to furious, bloody revolutions, ushered in the toppling of centuries-old governments, and serve as the foundation for political systems that still rule over more than 20 percent of the world's population—or one in five people on the planet. "The Columbia History of the World" called Marx's writings "one of the most remarkable and original syntheses in the history of human intellect." Karl Marx

20. Famous German People Franz Kafka (born July 3, 1883, Prague, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary [now in Czech Republic]—died June 3, 1924, Kierling, near Vienna, Austria) was a German-language writer of visionary fiction whose works—especially the novel Der Prozess (1925; The Trial) and the story Die Verwandlung (1915; The Metamorphosis)—express the anxieties and alienation felt by many in 20th-century Europe and North America. Franz Kafka

21. Work Ethic: Germans are known for their strong work ethic. The concept of "Arbeitsmoral" (work morality) is deeply ingrained, emphasizing diligence, dedication, and thoroughness in the workplace. Punctuality in professional settings is highly valued, and being late for meetings or appointments is generally considered impolite. Time Management in Education: German educational institutions also emphasize punctuality and time management. Students are expected to attend classes on time, and deadlines for assignments and exams are strictly enforced. This focus on punctuality prepares individuals for a disciplined approach to professional life. Cultural Norms: Punctuality is a cultural norm in social settings as well. Whether attending social events, gatherings, or dinner parties, arriving on time is considered a sign of respect. Germans appreciate others valuing their time and expect the same in return. Famous German Punctuality