Discovering Germany

Facts About Germany + Official Country Name: Deutschland + Capital City: Berlin + Official Language: German

+ Official Religion: While freedom of religion is guaranteed in Article 4 of the Basic Law (constitution), the predominant religion Germans practice is some form of Christianity + Currency: Euro, € + Weights and Measurements: Metric System + Electricity/Voltage: 220-240V

General Information Public Holidays Most schools, banks, and government offices are closed on national public holidays.

Holiday

Date

German Name

New Year’s Day Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday

January 1

Neujahr

Friday before Easter

Karfreitag

Varies

Ostersonntag Ostermontag Tag der Arbeit Pfingstsonntag Pfingstmontag

Monday after Easter

May Day

May 1

Whit Sunday, Pentecost

50 days after Easter Following Monday

Whit Monday

German Unity Day

October 3

Tag der Deutschen Einheit Erster Weihnachtsfeiertag Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag

Christmas Day

December 25 December 26

St. Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day

Government Germany is a federal, parliamentary, representative democratic republic with a constitution called Basic Law. The Head of State is the President ( Bundespraesident ), who is an important ceremonial figure. The Head of Government is the Chancellor who is part of the executive branch and presides over a variety of different ministries. The Legislative Branch is made up two parts, the Bundestag and Bundesrat. The Bundestag is made up of 672 publically-elected officials and is the lower house in parliament. The Bundesrat is the upper house in parliament and is comprised of state representatives. Together, the two houses of parliament hold legislative, or law-making, power. The judiciary system remains separate from all the government branches to ensure a clear and unbiased interpretation of the law.

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Discovering Germany