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THE GERMAN LANGUAGE Facts compiled from vistawide.com. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF :. Germany Austria Switzerland Liechtenstein Luxemburg Northern Italy Eastern Belgium. Maps of GERMANY. German is the most widely spoken language in Europe.
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OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF : • Germany • Austria • Switzerland • Liechtenstein • Luxemburg • Northern Italy • Eastern Belgium
German is the most widely spoken language in Europe. More people speak German as their native language than any other language in Europe. It's no wonder, since Germany's 83 million inhabitants make it the most populous European nation.
Germany has the 3rd strongest economy and is the #1 export nation in the world. In 2007, for the 5th year in a row, the Germans were world champions in exports. The country exported 940 billion US dollars worth of goods, just ahead of the US exports.
Knowing German creates business opportunities. Companies like BMW, Daimler, Siemens, Audi, Lufthansa, SAP, Bosch, Volkswagen, BASF, Adidas, and many others need international partners. The Japanese, who have the 2nd most powerful economy in the world, understand the business advantages that a knowledge of German will bring them: 68% of Japanese students study German.
Knowing German creates business opportunities. If you're looking for employment in the United States, knowing German can give you great advantages. German companies account for 700,000 jobs in the United States, and US companies have created approximately the same number of jobs in Germany.
Germans are innovators. • Gutenberg's printing press • Hertz' discovery of electromagnetic waves • from Ehrlich's development of chemotherapy • to Einstein's theory of relativity • to Brandenburg's creation of the MP3
Germans are innovators. As a nation committed to research and development, Germans are on the frontline of new technologies. Germany exports more high-tech products than any other country except the U.S. More than 600 firms are active in the field of biotechnology. The east German city of Dresden has become Europe's microchip center with its more than 765 semiconductor firms.
Germans are the biggest spenders of tourist dollars in the world. While German workers are highly productive, it is clear that they know how to play just as hard as they work. With ample disposable income and an average of 6 weeks of vacation a year, Germans have the time and the means to travel, ... and they do!
Germans are the biggest spenders of tourist dollars in the world. If you are a world traveler, you are certain to encounter Germans wherever you go since nearly 3 out of every 4 vacations by Germans are spent in other countries. In 2007, they spent a record 91 billion euros on international travel. Year after year, the residents of Germany spend more on foreign travel than those of any other nation
Germans form the largest single heritage group in the U.S. In the year 2000 census, 42.8 million or 15.2% of Americans reported having German ancestry, making German Americans the largest single heritage group in the U.S.
Germans form the largest single heritage group in the U.S. Family names and names of thousands of towns and cities indicate the German heritage of their ancestors or founders. Such cultural mainstays as kindergarten, the Christmas tree, and hot dogs and hamburgers were introduced by German immigrants to America. They founded multiple breweries, created Levi's jeans, invented ketchup, and created Hershey's chocolate.
Berlin: capital of Germany • Largest city of Germany • Center of culture, business, fashion • Monuments: Brandenburg Gate, The Reichstag, Berlin Wall,
Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall was a physical barrier encircling West Berlin from 1961 to 1989. 98 people were killed trying to cross. The “Fall of the Wall” paved way for reunification of Germany.
Brandenburg Gate • Main symbol of Berlin and Germany. • Built 1788 as a symbol of peace • Led to city palace of Prussian monarchs • Presidents Kennedy, Reagan, and Clinton have spoken there
Berlin: Zoologischer Garten • Opened in 1844 • 1,400 species and 14,000 animals
Hamburg, Germany • Second largest city in Germany • Waterspray in harbor • 2300 bridges “Venice of North” • Hagenbeck’s animal park: 1907, first zoo to use moats instead of cages
Munich, Germany • Munich = monk • 1972 Summer Olympics • Marienplatz= town center
Munich: Marienplatz • Town center of Munich • Pedestrian zone • Rathaus Glockenspiel reenacts 2 stories of 16th century with 43 bells and 32 figurines
Munich: Allianz Arena • 2006 World Cup
Koln, Germany • Koln Cathedral (600 years to build) • Shrine of Three Kings
Koln, Germany • On the Rhine River • One of Europe’s Oldest Universities • Home to more than 30 museums and hundreds of galleries
Koln: Eau de Cologne • Koln Wasser (A perfume of citrus oils, lavender, rosemary) • Originated in 1709 and is still made today
Frankfurt, Germany • Known as Frankfurt am Main • Main River (pronounced “mine”) • Financial center of Germany: stock exchange, European Central Bank, Bank of Germany • Transportation center of Germany: Frankfurt Flughafen and Lufthansa
Frankfurt, Germany • Only German city with significant number of skyscrapers • Old Opera House • International book fair
Dresden, Germany • Called “Florence of the North” • Palace called “Zwinger” • Located on Elbe River • Dresdner Stollen = famous fruit bread • Dresden china
Leipzig, Germany • Trade and business center • City of Fairs: Messenstadt • Double “M” = symbol of city • Home of Gewandhausorchester and St. Thomas Boys’ Choir • Theater der Jungen Welt • Belantis Theme Park
Geneva, Switzerland • Known as “Genf” • International conference center • Gigantic water spray in harbor of Lake Geneva • Second home to celebrities
Zurich, Switzerland • Major banking center • Lake Zurich
Vienna, Austria • Capital and largest city of Austria • On the Danube (Danau) River • Busy port for international cargo • Known as city of music • Vienna Boys’ Choir • Spanish Riding School with Lippizan Stallions
