25 Interesting Facts about Germany

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What do you know about Germany? Here’s a list of 25 Interesting facts about Germany and the Germans that you probably didn’t know!

To make this even more fun, I want to challenge you. How many of these Germany facts did you know before reading? Share your result in the comment section at the end of this article.

Further down, you can also read some more general information about Germany such as total population, biggest city, highest mountain, type of government, largest lake, currency, timezone etc. Plus some more information about the German flag.

1. Over 800 million currywursts are eaten in Germany each year

The currywurst is one of the many beloved sausages in Germany, and nowadays you can also have the vegetarian or vegan version of the currywurst at some restaurants. And, I think it’s safe to say that a majority of the Germans enjoy eating a currywurst every now and then.

800 million currywursts is approximately 10 currywursts per person annually. Definitely one of the many interesting facts about Germany.

2. German inventions that have changed the world

Throughout history, there has been numerous discoveries and inventions made by Germans. Some of the most notable ones include the car (automobile), bacteriology, book printing, record player, refrigerator, television, and the Theory of Relativity by Albert Einstein just to mention a few.

As you can see, some of the things you use and depend on daily came from German inventions and discoveries.

3. It’s illegal to run out of fuel in the German Autobahn

Be sure to fill up your tank or have enough left until the next gas station. It’s against the law to run out of fuel while driving on the Autobahn. The fine can be from €30 up to €70 depending on the case.

4. Germany has officially abolished college tuition fees

Back in 2014, the college tuition fees were removed in 16 German states at public universities. This means that everyone could study there for free except for some small fees for administration and other small costs per semester.

This even applies to non-germans, which means a foreigner could come here and study at a public university as well.

5. Germans are brutally honest and precise

One thing that I really like about Germans is how honest they are. Sure, it can be frustrating at times if you can’t handle the truth, but in the long run, I also think it’s best to be honest straight away.

In addition to that, I have found a lot of Germans to be precise. If you ask for something, you will get a precise answer, and everything should be correct and follow the rules. I like that, it results in order and trust.

6. They have the best Christmas markets in the world

One of my favorite activities during winter is to visit one of the Christmas Markets in Europe, particularly in Germany.

German Christmas markets have a long tradition and date back to the 1300’s and 1400’s. It’s a celebration for Christmas and some of the most famous ones can be found in Dresden, Augsburg, Berlin, Dortmund, and Cologne.

Drinking Glüwhein is also one of the highlights at the Christmas markets!

Photo: Shutterstock

7. Germans have one of the world’s best passports

They have the third best passport in the world. Germans can travel to 126 countries around the world without a visa, and to 36 additional countries, they can get a visa on arrival.

8. 65% of the Autobahn has no speed limit

The recommended speed limit is 130 kilometer per hour unless otherwise stated at the Autobahn. However, there’s no upper-speed limit at 65% of the Autobahn, so don’t be surprised when you see someone driving over 200 kilometers per hour.

Most people drive quite normal around 130 km/h though and there are several lanes, so don’t feel pressured to drive faster than you are comfortable with.

9. More than 6 million liters of beer is being drunk at Oktoberfest each year

Germans love their beer and Oktoberfest is one of the major events yearly where many people dress up in the traditional costume, tracht, dirndl, and lederhosen while drinking delicious beer!

Photo: Shutterstock

10. Germans are great at recycling

Did you know that Germany is world leading at recycling? They are also taking a big step forward in renewable energy. The wave of recycling and renewable energy is a result of strong government policy and citizens who care about the environment and want to take their responsibility in recycling for a better planet Earth.

11. It’s the largest economy in the EU

It’s the major economic powerhouse in the European Union, and also one of the largest economies in the world!

12. Almost everything is closed on Sundays

If you plan to do some shopping on a Sunday in Germany, you won’t find much (if anything) open except restaurants and some 24/7 hour stores and gas stations. Shopping and even grocery stores are closed on Sundays.

The concept come from “Ruhetag” which means resting day. From the beginning it was a countryside law that you couldn’t have your store open on Sundays, to allow people to get a resting day and avoid 7 work-days peer week.

One of the many interesting facts about Germany, especially since most countries have stores and shopping malls open on Sundays nowadays.

13. Prostitution is legal and considered a real job

It’s legal with prostitution in Germany, as are all aspects of the sex industry, including brothels, advertisement, and job offers through HR companies. The sex-workers pay tax just like any regular worker.

There are about 400 000 sex-workers, whereas about 60% are from foreign countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

14. Hamburgers come from Germany

Thought hamburgers was an American invention? Guess again. Hamburgers origin from the German city Hamburg, so if you like burgers, of course, you have to make a visit to Hamburg!

15. One-third of the country is still covered in Forest and Woodland

Many Germans appreciate to be out in nature, and no wonder, one-third of Germany is covered in forest and woodland. In addition to forest and woodland, you also have many lakes with beautiful scenery scattered around the country.

Photo: Shutterstock

Bonus fact: Chancellor Angela Merkel has her own Barbie doll

In 2009, Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel got her own Barbie doll.

5 x fun facts about Germany and the Germans

If you don’t look the person in the eye when you cheer (Prost), it’s said that you will be cursed with bad sex for 7 years
Germans pay in cash about 80% of all transactions
There are more than 1500 kinds of beer in Germany
About 8 out of 100 000 German males have opted for a penis enlargement procedure
Germans drink a lot of sparkling water (carbonated water)

5 x Germany facts for kids

The Christmas tree tradition comes from Germany
Home to the largest population in the European Union
The Black Eagle is Germany’s national animal
Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, and Snow White are all German tales
The most popular baby names in 2017 were Maximilian and Marie

hansel and gretel - germany facts for kids

Photo: Shutterstock

General information about Germany

Total Population: 82,800,000
Capital: Berlin
Biggest City: Berlin
Highest Mountain: Zugspitze – 2962 meters.
Land area: 357,168 km²
Biggest Lake: Lake Müritz is the largest lake entirely within German territory
National Day: 3 October
Government: Federal parliamentary constitutional republic
Chancellor: Angela Merkel
Currency: Euro.
Official language: German.
Member of Nato: Yes.
National song: “Deutschlandlied”
Official website: www.deutschland.de
Timezone: CET (UTC+1) Summer (DST) – CEST (UTC+2)
Country Number/Prefix: +49
Country Code: DE

Biggest Cities

If you’re looking for facts about Germany, it might also be useful to know about the biggest cities in the country.

Berlin
Hamburg
München
Cologne
Frankfurt am Main
Stuttgart
Düsseldorf
Dortmund
Essen
Leipzig

Flag of Germany

The black color is a symbol of determination
The Red color is a symbol of bravery and strength
The Yellow color is a symbol of generosity.

Map of Germany

Below is a map of Germany, and as you can see they’re bordering the following countries: Poland, The Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, The Czech Republic, France, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland.

Germany also has maritime borders with Sweden and the United Kingdom.