Kids Guide to Germany

KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Germany

Neuschwanstein 1 Castle in Bavaria

Welcome to Germany Germany is in north-central Europe with coastline on the North and Baltic seas. The Alps mountain range stretches along its southern border.

Let’s learn about Germany from kids like you.

Lotte lives in Göttingen, in the central part of the country.

She is 10 years old.

Lotte has been learning about her country’s traditional crafts. She is learning how to make pottery.

Lotte is a nickname. It is short for Charlotte, which means “free man” or “petite.”

Lotte wears a long apron to protect her clothes when she works. She uses a machine called a potter’s wheel to help her shape clay into a round pot.

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Günther is Lotte’s brother. His name means “warrior.” Günther is in primary school. He is a good student.

Günther especially loves winter in Germany. He enjoys playing ice hockey.

Ice hockey is a popular sport in Günther’s country. Some of the game’s best players come from Germany.

Lotte and Günther love their country and hope you will, too. Let’s learn some more about Germany.

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Where in the World?

Germany’s varied geography includes marshes called the Northern Lowlands. The area gradually rises to the Central Uplands, which cover most of the country with rolling plains and forested regions. The Rhine River flows northward through western Germany from its origins in the Swiss Alps, defining the country’s Rhineland. In the south are the Alpine Foreland and the Alps, the highest and most extensive mountain range entirely in Europe.

Anja lives in Kiel, in the north of Germany. It is on the Jutland peninsula on the southwestern shore of the Baltic Sea.

GERMANY

Bruno lives in Konstanz. It is at the western end of southern Germany’s Lake Constance. The Rhine River divides the city into north and south sections.

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Can You Find It? Berlin

Bremen

Hamburg

Munich

Cologne

Leipzig

Dresden

Frankfurt 5

Germany’s climate is overall temperate.

Seasonal variations are created by cold air from the east and the warming North Atlantic Drift ocean current. Summers tend to be cool and wet. Winters are mild except in the mountainous regions.

Leopold lives in Flensburg at the tip of Flensburg Fjord in northern Germany. It has an oceanic climate, with lots of changing weather.

Germany’s diverse landscape includes forests, mountains, rivers, and marshes.

Common plants include chamomile, green spire, and cornflower, with silver birch and Norway spruce being the most prevalent trees.

Germany is home to tens of thousands of plant, fungi, and insect species. Fish and bird species have the most variation, with native bird species including the bean goose, boreal owl, and pied avocet. Some unique native animals are the fire salamander, European pine marten, and chamois.

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Black Forest The Black Forest is a mountainous region known for its dense evergreen forests.

Encompassing many lakes and rivers, it offers a variety of year-round recreation.

Black Forest

Zugspitze Lake Constance

Lake Constance Stretching 63 kilometers (39 miles) on the border of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Lake Constance is Germany’s largest lake.

It is fed by the Rhine River and composed of two parts, the larger Obersee and the Untersee.

Zugspitze Germany’s highest peak stands 2,962 meters (9,718 feet) above sea level. Accessible via cable car, the summit features glaciers, toboggan runs, an igloo village, a ski resort, and a church.

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History 9 CE In the Battle of Teutoburg Forest, an alliance of Germanic tribes halts an advance of the Roman army. Roman forces never again attempt to conquer German territory east of the Rhine River.

962 Otto I is crowned Holy Roman Emperor. The Kingdom of Germany remains the largest territory within the Holy Roman Empire throughout its long history.

1517 Sparking the Protestant Reformation, German priest Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses disputing Catholic practices such as usury, nepotism, and the selling of indulgences.

1815 The Congress of Vienna establishes the German Confederation, a loose association of German states. Francis I of Austria becomes the confederation’s first president.

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1919 The Treaty of Versailles, the peace treaty between Germany and the Allied Powers, is signed. It requires Germany to disarm, give up a significant amount of territory, and pay costly reparations.

1989 The border between previously divided East and West Germany is opened.

Citizens on both sides of the Berlin Wall begin demolishing it.

1993 The European Union is created, with Germany being one of its six founding member countries.

2005 Angela Merkel becomes the first female chancellor of Germany, as well as the first from the former East Germany.

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People The majority of the country is made up of ethnic Germans. Their ancestry includes the ancient Celts of northern Europe and the Slavs from eastern Europe.

Carl has Polish ancestry. His lessons at school are taught in German, but he speaks Polish when he visits his grandparents in Schwerin.

A small portion of the population includes Turks, Greeks, Italians, Poles, Russians, Serbo-Croatians, and Spaniards.

German is the official language of the country, with three dialects spoken regionally. Many other languages are spoken in Germany’s large cosmopolitan cities.

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The German population is made up of almost equal portions of Roman Catholics and Protestants. Lutheranism is the majority non-Catholic religion.

Various other religions include Evangelical Methodist, Calvinist, and Eastern Orthodox Christian, as well as non-Christian regligions such as Judaism and Islam.

Jutta’s family practices Roman Catholicism.

She is named for Saint Jutta of Kulmsee, a 13th century patron saint of Prussia.

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Names Gisela

Gisela is a German name that means “pledge.”

Bernd

The name Bernd comes from a German word meaning “brave bear.”

Hans

Ingrid

Ingrid is a Norse name that means “beautiful.”

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The name Hans comes from a German word that means “God is gracious.”

e (Male) Nam

Andreas

Origin

M e aning

Greek

manly

German

ruler of the home

Jürgen

Greek

farmer

Klaus

Greek

people of victory

Manfred

German

man of peace

Michael

Hebrew

“Who is like God?”

Peter Thomas Werner

Greek Hebrew German

rock twin defender

Wolfgang

German

path of the wolf

Heinz

e (Female) Nam

Origin

M e aning

Brigitte

Irish

power, strength

Elisabeth

Hebrew

“God is my oath”

Helga Karin

Norse Swedish

holy pure

Maria

Latin

star of the sea

Monika

Latin

advisor

Petra Renate

Greek Latin

rock born again

Sabine

Latin

woman from Sabine

Ursula

Latin

little bear 13

Learn German Over 95 percent of Germany’s population speaks the official language, Standard German, or one of its various dialects as a native language. Minority languages include Serbian, Romani, Danish, and North Frisian.

Hallo

HAH-loh (Hello)

Guten morgen

GOOT-ehn MORE-gun (Good morning)

Ich heiße

EEH HIGH-seh_____ (My name is ___)

Wie geht’s?

vee GATES (How are you?)

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Ich habe Hunger

EEH HAH-bah HOONG-er (I’m hungry) Ich habe Durst

EEH HAH-bah DOORST (I’m thirsty) Danke

DAHN-ke (Thank you)

Bitte

BIT-te (Please)

Ja

Yah (Yes)

Nein

Naiyn (No)

Auf Wiedersehen Owf VEE-dehr-ZEH-yehn (Goodbye) 15

Holidays and Festivals Germany has a rich and dynamic culture, and Germans celebrate many holidays and festivals throughout the year.

Here are a few:

Day of German Unity October 3 is a holiday commemorating the reunification of the Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic in 1990. Each year a major city hosts celebrations that include a ceremony and festival featuring music, food, and drinks.

Oktoberfest Beginning in late September and ending the first Sunday of October, this festival commemorates the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen.

Festivities include music, food stands, beer tents, carnival rides, and games.

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All Saints’ Day This holiday on November 1 commemorates the souls of the departed. Germans celebrate by visiting and decorating the graves of friends, relatives, and loved ones. They light candles signifying eternal light and prepare various dishes as offerings to the dead.

Reformation Day October 31 marks the anniversary of the reformation of the Lutheran and Reformed church communities in 1517, a movement led by German priest Martin Luther.

Festivities include pageants re-enacting Luther’s life and singing Luther’s hymn.

Repentance Day In Germany, Repentance Day is a day of fasting, contemplation, and examination of conscience. Considered a federal holiday in most German states, this day of prayer and repentance is commemorated with church services.

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Food Since Germany’s winters are generally long and harsh, preserved meats, root vegetables, and pickles are popular.

Most traditional meals, including breakfast, center around meat. Beef and pork serve as the most common main courses, although chicken and fish also are widely eaten. Cured meats are enjoyed cold or boiled, while fresh meat is usually roasted or stewed. Vegetables often appear as side dishes, often seasoned with stock, sausage, or ham.

Zwiebelkuchen Although the name means “onion cake,” this dish is actually a tart similar to a quiche and is normally served as an appetizer.

Sauerkraut Fermented cabbage is a typical German side dish and is often served with pork or sausage.

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Spätzle Spätzle are traditional German dumplings, similar to Italian gnocchi, that can be made savory as a side dish or sweet for dessert.

Sachertorte This dense chocolate cake, usually filled with a thin layer of apricot preserves, is a common dessert in Germany.

Sauerbraten Beef, marinated in vinegar and then roasted, is a typical German dish. It is normally served with gravy, spätzle, and red cabbage.

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Apfelstrudel

Cooked apples wrapped in crisp pastry flavored with butter and vanilla is a common dessert during autumn when apples are in season.

Schaumgebäck mit Beeren Baked egg whites, or meringue, with seasonal berries and whipped cream is a popular summer dessert.

Rollmops Rolled herring served in a brine or sour cream sauce is popular in northern Germany.

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Gurkensalat (Cucumber Salad)

Bursting with flavor, gurkensalat is a tangy and creamy salad made with pickled cucumber that is quick and easy to prepare.

Total Time

90 min

Ingredients 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced ½ onion, thinly sliced 1 tsp (5 g) salt ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream 2 Tbsp (25 g) sugar 2 Tbsp (30 ml) white vinegar 1 tsp (5 g) dried dill 1 tsp (5 g) dried parsley 1 tsp (5 g) paprika

Directions Spread out the sliced cucumber and onion on a tray. Season them with salt and let rest for about 30 minutes before pouring any extracted water off the tray.

Stir together the sour cream, sugar, white vinegar, dill, and parsley in a large bowl.

Add the cucumber and onion to the dressing, tossing to combine.

Cover and refrigerate to chill before serving, if desired.

Sprinkle the salad with paprika and serve.

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National Symbols National Bird European Golden Eagle (common name) Aquila chrysaetos (scientific name)

National Day Day of German Unity October 3

National Flower Cornflower (common name) Centaurea cyanus (scientific name)

National Animal European Roe Deer (common name) Capreolus capreolus (scientific name)

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National Flag First used – 1848 Nickname – Bundesflagge (“Federal Flag”)

National Currency Germany’s official currency is the European Union euro and cent.

1 euro = 100 cents

National Anthem “Das Deutschlandlied” (“The Song of Germany”) Lyrics by: August Heinrich Hoffmann von Fallersleben

German Lyrics

English Translation

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Unity and justice and freedom

Für das deutsche Vaterland!

For the German fatherland!

Danach lasst uns alle streben

For these let us all strive

Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!

Brotherly with heart and hand!

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Unity and justice and freedom

Sind des Glückes Unterpfand;

Are the pledge of fortune;

Blüh’ im Glanze dieses Glückes, Blühe, deutsches Vaterland!

Flourish in this fortune’s blessing, Flourish, German fatherland!

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Things to See and Do Triberg Waterfalls Situated in the Black Forest, these waterfalls are some of Germany’s highest. The Gutach River features seven cascades before entering the valley where the town of Triberg is located.

Berlin Zoological Garden Home to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of animal species, this zoo has more than 20,200 animals representing around 1,380 species, including the rare giant panda.

Neuschwanstein Castle King of Bavaria Ludwig II built this 19th century retreat in the style of old German knights’ castles, with the interior reflecting the operatic world of Richard Wagner’s works. Today, more than 1.3 million people visit the castle each year.

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English Garden One of the world’s largest inner-city parks, the English Garden encompasses 375 hectares (926 acres) in Munich. It features a lake, a carousel, a Japanese teahouse, a Greek-style temple, and four beer gardens.

Berlin Cableway The Berlin Cableway takes riders over the Wuhletal valley. With a stopover at Wolkenhain, an elevated viewing structure known as the Cloud Grove, the cableway runs a total length of 1.5 kilometers (0.93 miles).

Main Tower Panoramic views of Frankfurt await all who travel the 200 meters (660 feet) up to the viewing platform at the top of Main Tower. When completed in 1999, it was Europe’s first high-rise building with a façade made entirely of glass.

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Müritz National Park Encompassing 31,805 hectares (78,592 acres) and more than 130 lakes in northern Germany, this park lies on the eastern shore of Lake Müritz, the country’s second-largest lake.

Urach Waterfall A 37-meter-tall (121-foot-tall) limestone cascade stands on the Brühlbach River in southern Germany’s Swabian Alps. Trails lead to the scenic waterfall.

Maschsee Lake This artificial lake is Hannover’s most popular recreation spot.

Trails around the lake provide space for walking, biking, and roller-skating, while ice-skating is available during winter.

Jasmund National Park Adjoining the Baltic Sea’s chalk cliffs in northeast Rügen Island, this is Germany’s smallest national park. It features the King’s Chair, the tallest part of the famous cliffs.

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Location Guide Triberg Waterfalls

Main Tower

Berlin Zoological Garden

Müritz National Park

Neuschwanstein Castle

Urach Waterfall

English Garden

Maschsee Lake

Berlin Cableway

Jasmund National Park 27

Fun Facts Oh, Christmas Tree It is widely believed that religious reformer Martin Luther was the first to decorate a tree for Christmas. A story tells of how Luther was awed by stars twinkling among evergreen trees.

Wishing to share the sight with his family, he brought a tree into his home and affixed candles to its branches.

Mega Meat There are more than 1,000 varieties of sausage in Germany, including bratwurst, weisswurst, blutwurst, knackwurst, frankfurter, and bockwurst. A German street food classic, currywurst is a sausage eaten with spicy sauce.

It is such a popular choice that over 800 million currywurst are eaten in Germany each year.

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Yummy Gummies Hans Riegel of Bonn, Germany, is credited with creating the gummy bear in 1920. The Haribo name was created from the first two letters of his first and last names and hometown.

Bridging Berlin Venice may have the allure and renown, but Berlin has more canals and bridges than the Italian city. More than 180 kilometers (111 miles) of waterways are within Berlin’s city limits, crossed by more than 1,700 bridges.

Race Track More than half of Germany’s highways have no speed limit. Officially called the Bundesautobahn, which literally translates to “federal auto track,” the country’s highway network is one of the world’s longest, covering 12,993 kilometers (8,073 miles).

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KIDS’ GUIDE TO

Germany Bavaria

Bacharach

Hamburg

Berlin

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