Germany

Germany lies in the heart of Europe. It stretches from the North Sea and Baltic coasts in the north to the Alps in the south and has land borders with nine countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland. Following Germanys defeat in World War I and the collapse of their empire, they were left with crippling reparations, soaring inflation, and high unemployment. The rise of the Nazi dictatorship in the 1930s led to a policy of expansionism, followed by the outbreak of war, and ultimately to the country's humiliation in World War II. Germany was then divided into two separate states: East and West. West Germany eventually emerged as a major European power and was a founding member of the now the European Union, while East Germany remained under the dominance of the Soviet Union. After the general collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe, East and West Germany reunited on October 3, 1990. Today, Germany has one of the worlds strongest economies and is one of the most technically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food, shipbuilding, and textiles. The European Countries Today series provides information on 15 of the most important countries in Europe. Each book in the series describes the history, geography, economy, culture, and relationship each country has with its neighbors. There is also a separate title, European Union Facts & Figures, that provides statistical and factual information about the European Union. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge

Germania se afla in inima Europei. Se intinde de la Marea Nordului si coastele baltice in nord pana la Alpi in sud si are frontiere terestre cu noua tari: Austria, Belgia, Republica Ceha, Danemarca, Franta, Luxemburg, Olanda, Polonia si Elvetia.