Germany's path to a liberal constitutional democracy and a functioning parliamentary system involved many historical ruptures: particularism in the early years of the Modern age, the failure of the March Revolution and the Weimar Republic through to the 'flaw in history' caused by National Socialism . Unity and liberty, key concepts since the 19th century, also occupied Germans during the nation's division after the Second World War. Not until reunification in 1990 was the 'German issue' resolved.

ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE, ENERGY

Changes in the atmosphere and climate system are among the greatest environmental and political challenges of the 21st century. Climate change, which has largely been caused by human activity, is the global challenge. For many years now, Germany has been making efforts to avoid greenhouse gas emissions by way of anticipatory national climate change policies and by promoting renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. In the international arena, Germany is a forerunner in climate and energy policies and seeks to achieve ambitious emission-reduction goals.

There are many sides to cultural life in Germany: From North to South there are around 300 theaters and 130 professional orchestras. The museum world is of quite unparalleled quality ? featuring 630 art museums with diverse internationally renowned collections. Young German painting is equally vibrant, and is long since part of the international scene. And Germany is one of the major book nations, with around 94,000 new books and re-editions each year. The 350 dailies and thousands of magazines go to show how lively the German media world is. Moreover, German films are once again a great success at home and abroad.

In the international arena German companies have an excellent reputation. They represent 'Made in Germany', known as a seal of quality the world over. They represent innovation, quality and cutting-edge technology. Yet the world?s fourth largest economy does not consist solely of global players, but also of many world market leaders who are actually small and medium-sized enterprises, the powerhouse of the German economy. They all benefit from the sound economic conditions, not to mention the excellent qualifications of the workforce. Foreign investors also value this.

MODERN LIFE

Great cuisine and fine wines, relaxing in Mother Nature, festivals and celebrations, vacation, design and fashion, inspiring architecture. Germany has plenty of all to offer  and is far removed from all the clichés that might still abound about lederhosen and sauerkraut. But then the numerous visitors from abroad who are increasingly discovering that Germany is an interesting vacation destination already know this. Not just because of the wealth of German cultural and historical sights, but also because of the wide-ranging regional cuisine and the changing landscapes. In fact, although the Germans are the undisputed world champions when it comes to foreign travel, they still prefer to holiday between the North Sea and the Alps.