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© 2016 Dwellworks
Page 4
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
January 1
Neujahr
Good Friday
Friday before Easter
Karfreitag
Easter Sunday
Varies
Ostersonntag
Easter Monday
Monday after Easter
Ostermontag
May Day
May 1
Tag der Arbeit
Whit Sunday, Pentecost
50 days after Easter
Pfingstsonntag
Whit Monday
Following Monday
Pfingstmontag
German Unity Day
October 3
Tag der Deutschen Einheit
Christmas Day
December 25
Erster Weihnachtsfeiertag
St. Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day
December 26
Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag
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.