10 interesting facts about Germany and the Germans

Germany is a state that is certainly known to the whole world. Its history began in the first millennium of our era. Over the past centuries, the country has experienced a lot – formation, wars, divisions, unification. Today it is a highly developed country with a rich culture and centuries-old traditions.

The Germans are known for their pedantry, punctuality and penchant for order. Thanks to these qualities of the indigenous population, Germany has taken the position of a world leader in the industrial sector, has become the third in the world in terms of import and export of goods, and has taken fifth place in the world ranking in terms of the standard of living of the population.

But there are 10 most amazing and interesting facts about Germany for schoolchildren and their parents that are not known to many.

10 Germany changed capital 7 times

Throughout history, Germany has managed to change the capital as many as 7 times. In different periods, Aachen, Frankfurt am Main, Regensburg, Nuremberg, Weimar, Berlin and Bonn became the capitals. But in 1990 the official and permanent Berlin was again named the capital of the state.

9. The criminal is not punished if he managed to escape from prison

The Germans recognize the fact that every person has an instinctive desire for freedom. Therefore, punishing him for this is simply pointless. This statement was legalized in the legislation of the country in the 19th century and is considered relevant to this day.

A person who has successfully escaped from prison is not subject to additional criminal or administrative liability. The fugitive enjoys freedom until the moment he is caught. The captured prisoner is simply returned to the cell without changing the conditions of the term of imprisonment.

The escape itself is not punishable, but assistance provided to a prisoner in this is punishable by up to 5 years.

8. There are more men in the country than women

According to statistics in Western Europe, the number of male population prevails over female. Germany is no exception to the rule. As of 2019, the country’s population is almost 83 million people, of which 50,3% are men.

7. The Germans never get into a fight first.

It is difficult to imagine a dignified and restrained German participating in a street brawl, this is contrary to their upbringing and mentality. Many representatives of the nation have never been in a fight in their entire lives, we can say with confidence that the German will never sort things out in this way and will not get into a fight first. If, however, somehow he is drawn into a showdown with the help of his fists, he will fight to the last.

6. All Germans have a sweet tooth

The Germans are big sweet tooth. According to statistics, Germany produces 32% of the total volume of chocolate produced in the European Union, in numerical terms, this is about 1,3 million tons per year. During the same year, each German eats about 10 kg of this delicacy, according to this indicator, they are also leaders among sweet lovers in the European Union.

In addition, sweet carbonated water, like cola and fanta, as well as sweet milk drinks with all kinds of flavors (strawberry, chocolate, pistachio, coconut, etc.) are very popular in the country.

5. Chewing gum was invented in Germany

Hans Riegel is a German entrepreneur who became the founder of chewing gum in the form of a teddy bear.

In 1920 resourceful German invented chewing gum and immediately patented his invention with the trademark name Ha-Ri-Bo. Until that moment, such sweets did not exist on the market, so the production of bears began to grow at a rapid pace, and the sweets themselves immediately gained recognition.

Gelatin bears are considered the most popular chewy treat in Germany and around the world. The secret to making gummies has been a closely guarded secret for almost a hundred years, and the Haribo trademark is exclusively a family business.

4. Germans are too frugal

Representatives of this nation exhibit excessive thrift and frugality, and the passion for hoarding is a normal attitude in life. The piggy bank appears among the Germans in childhood, and accompanies them all their lives.

The average German saves on everything, and his main assistants in this matter are light and water.

Quite for the Germans it is ok to shower once a week, and the procedure is not delayed. They get out of the shower without washing off the foam, this saves water, and all the oils necessary for the skin from the products remain on the body. If the family draws water into the bath, then everyone is washed in it, after which the linen is washed, and the remains are often used to flush the sewer. For dishes, a sink of water is collected and a special tool is used. Housewives wash the plates, and then, without rinsing, wipe them with a towel or napkin.

Light is another source of savings. In empty rooms, all light bulbs and heating must be turned off. The Germans believe that in living quarters it should be no more than 18 degrees, if someone is cold, then you can wear socks. Washing machines and dishwashers, filled to capacity, are turned on at night when water and electricity rates are reduced.

Any purchase is carefully calculated and purchased with profit. In clothing, the Germans prefer to buy a quality thing that will last for several seasons, but they take a new thing on sale or in second-hand.

Of course, the Germans prefer high-quality food, they buy it in supermarkets and only according to a previously compiled list of essentials, choosing goods with discounts. Instead of inviting guests to your home, an exit is organized in a restaurant where everyone pays for himself.

Buying a car for a family occurs according to the “Six months” rule, which means that the price of a car should not exceed the amount of earnings for six months. In order to save gasoline, from time to time they use a bicycle to travel short distances.

3. There are over 150 castles in Germany

Germany by law considered a land of castles, more of them are located on its territory than in any other country in the world. Many buildings, unfortunately, have not survived to our time and have turned into ruins. The surviving buildings have extraordinary architecture, an exciting and mysterious history and a unique artistic value.

Many of them were erected by knights, dukes and kings in the Middle Ages, therefore they are of historical value and are very popular with tourists from all over the world. Visiting such places, you plunge into history, you can touch with your own eyes the atmosphere and traditions of that time.

2. In Bavaria, a German is entitled to a glass of beer on a working day.

Germany ranks second in Europe in terms of daily beer consumption. And in Bavaria, beer is an officially recognized food.

For Bavaria, beer is not just a drink, it is part of traditions, culture and an integral daily diet, it is drunk everywhere: at home for breakfast or dinner, on the street, in transport, in bars and restaurants, at football matches and, no matter how strange it is sounded even at work.

The Germans are responsible and serious people, so they calmly allow themselves to have a glass of beer at lunch right during working hours. Beer is served even in university canteens.

1. Education in Germany is free

Since 2014, education in educational institutions of the country has been made free. Moreover, this rule applies not only to residents of the country, but also to foreign students.