Germany

Location• Central Europe• Borders North Sea and Baltic Sea• South of Denmark; between the Netherlands

and Poland• Borders the countries of:Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland

Natural Resources• Coal• Lignite • Natural Gas• Iron ore• Copper• Nickel• Uranium • Potash• Salt• Construction material • Timber• Arable Land

Environmental Issues• Air pollution from coal burning utilities and industries• Acid rain• Sewage in the Baltic Sea• Hazardous waste disposal

These issues have lead Germany to be a ‘green’ nation, and they are currently working with the EU to identify nature preserves in line with the Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive.

Economy• Fifth largest economy in the world, and Europe’s

largest• Europe’s leading exporter of machinery, vehicles,

chemicals, and household productsNumbers:

• Unemployment rate: 7.1%• Population below poverty line: 15.5%• Inflation rate: 1.1%• Budget deficit: -3.3%

Agriculture• Potatoes• Wheat• Barley • Sugar beets• Fruit• Cabbages• Cattle• Pigs• Poultry

2.4% of population works with agriculture

IndustryIndustry production growth rate: 10.8%

• Iron• Steel• Coal• Cement• Chemicals• Machinery• Vehicles• Machine tools• Electronics• Food• Ships• Textiles

Export PartnersFrance 10.1%, US 6.7%, UK 6.6%, Netherlands 6.6%, Italy 6.3%, Austria 5.7%, Belgium 5.2%, China 4.7%, Switzerland 4.5%

Import PartnersNetherlands 13%, France 8.2%, Belgium 7.2%, China 6.8%, Italy 5.6%, UK 4.7%, Austria 4.4%, US 4.2%, Switzerland 4.1%

Military

Manpower available for military service:• males age 16-49: 18,529,299• females age 16-49: 17,888,543

Manpower fit for military service:• males age 16-49: 15,027,886• females age 16-49: 14,510,527

German - UN Relations

United States of America• Most US economic views are shared by

Germany• Germany does not approve of Iraq, and their

view of US diminished with the declaration of the war

• US sees Germany’s lack of support in Iraq as the main irritant between the two countries

• US still considers Germany one of their most important international partners

United Kingdom• Both Germany and UK are members of NATO

and the EU• They have a strong political and economic

relationship, particularly within the EU

Russian Federation• The relationship between Germany and

Russia is relatively good, but not without tensions (including past clashes concerning human rights)

• Russia considers Germany their leading European partner

• Russia has natural resources, which are an interest to industrialized Germany

China• Germany is China’s largest European trading

partner • China is Germany’s second largest trading

partner outside of the EU (after the US)

France• France and Germany relations are embodied

in a cooperation called the Franco-German Friendship.

• Franco-German cooperation is based on the Élysée Treaty, signed in 1963. The treaty contained a number of agreements for cooperation in foreign policy, economics, military, and education.

South Africa• German representatives call the relationship

“excellent” as well as strategic in economic and world affairs

• Germany is South Africa’s fourth largest trading partner

Brazil• Germany has expressed their commitment to

business in Brazil• Germany is one of Brazil’s most important

trading partner, and Brazil is Germany’s most important trading partner in Latin America

Columbia• Germany and Columbia share a close

economic, political, and cultural relationship

Gabon• Germany maintains a diplomatic relationship

with Gabon, and Gabon often supports German interests

Lebanon• Germany has shown interest in expanding

relations with Lebanon

Nigeria• Germany and Nigeria are both working

towards deepening their business relations with each other.

• Their main focuses include cooperation in business, banking and finance, alternative energy, health care, education, and infrastructure.

Portugal• Germany and Portugal share many opinions

concerning European and international policy• Germany is Portugal’s most important trading

partner after Spain

India• Germany and India are in a close political relationship,

represented by the Indo-German Relations• This partnership is designed to markedly step up cooperation

in the business and energy sectors as well as in science, technology and defense

• Germany is India’s principle trading partner in the EU• For decades, Germany has been among the ten principal

foreign direct investors in India• Germany is India’s second most important research partner• Environmental cooperation is a focus in India – Germany

relations

Bosnia and Herzegovina• Germany has a diplomatic relationship with

Bosnia and Herzegovina, and bilateral relations have been steadily developing

• There has been a strong increase of trade between the two nations