Germany (EEC)

The German Empire, usually referred to simply as Germany, is a country in Europe. It is bordered to the north by Denmark, the North and Baltic Seas; to the east by Poland; to the South by the Austria and Czecho-Slovakia and Lithuania; and to the west by France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Germany's territory covers 668,483 sq. km and is influenced by a temperate seasonal climate. With over 122 million inhabitants, it is the largest state in Europe.

A region named Germania inhabited by several Germanic peoples has been known and documented before 100 AD. Since the 10th century German territories have formed a central part of the Holy Roman Empire that lasted until 1806. During the period, in the 16th century, the northern German regions became the centre of the Protestant Reformation. As a modern nation-state, the country was unified amidst the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, with the German Empire declared at Versailles.

Germany is a federal constitutional monarchy of twenty-six states. The imperial capital and largest city is Berlin. The German Emperor (Kaiser) is head of state; an elected Parliament (Reichstag'') forms the lower house of the national legislature. The majority party or governing coaltion nominates the Chancellor (Reichskanzler) as head of government. The government may be dismissed by the Kaiser. The upper chamber is the federal council, (Bundesrat) and each state is allocated a certain number of votes. Germany is a member of the League of Nations and the European Confederation and a founding member of its precurser the European Economic Community.

Germany is the world's second largest economy by nominal GDP and the largest exporter of goods in 2007. In absolute terms, Germany allocates the biggest annual budget of development aid in the world, while its military expenditure ranked third. The country has developed a high standard of living and established a comprehensive system of social security. It holds a key position in European affairs and maintains a multitude of close partnerships on a global level. Germany is recognized as a scientific and technological leader in several fields.