Location and Size
Germany is located in Western Central Europe where it borders the the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. The country is between the Netherlands and Poland, and south of Denmark. Similarly to the United States, Germany’s location makes one of the primary reasons for its economic growth trade and tourism. Germany mainly sends exports to and releases imports from countries in the European Union such as France & Great Britain. There is also considerable trade with the United States. Geographically, Germany’s location at the center of a 28-member European Union make it a foundation around which many American firms seek to build their European and worldwide economi c expansion strategies. Germany is a dense country about the size of Montana. The country has an area of 137,810 square miles. The U.S, (which has an area of 3,717,792 square miles) is 3,578,982 square miles larger than Germany. Population The population of Germany is 80,854,408. The population is expected to contract to 70.3 million by 2050 due to declining birth rates etc. Germany's welfare system has tried to support population growth by offering old-age pensions, health and unemployment insurance, disability benefits, subsidized housing, and government subsidies to families raising children. Unfortunately, the programs did not increase Germany's birth rate. Thus, in the future Germany's labor force is expected to decline. Germany’s population significantly shrank during and right after WWII. On the other hand, the aftermath of World War II caused a rapid population growth in the U.S known as the “baby-boomers” age. The different effects of WWII on the population are still seen today in Germany and the United States. |