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| Government Type |
federal republic |
| Legal System |
civil law system with indigenous concepts; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Constitutional Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Currency |
euro (EUR)
note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries |
| Economic Overview |
Germany's affluent and technologically powerful economy turned in a relatively weak performance throughout much of the 1990s. The modernization and integration of the eastern German economy continues to be a costly long-term problem, with annual transfers from west to east amounting to roughly $70 billion. Germany's ageing population, combined with high unemployment, has pushed social security outlays to a level exceeding contributions from workers. Structural rigidities in the labor market - including strict regulations on laying off workers and the setting of wages on a national basis - have made unemployment a chronic problem. Business and income tax cuts introduced in 2001 did not spare Germany from the impact of the downturn in international trade, and domestic demand faltered as unemployment began to rise. Growth in 2002 again fell short of 1%. Corporate restructuring and growing capital markets are setting the foundations that could allow Germany to meet the long-term challenges of European economic integration and globalization, particularly if labor market rigidities are addressed. In the short run, however, the fall in government revenues and the rise in expenditures has brought the deficit close to the EU's 3% debt limit. |
| Natural Resources |
iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel, arable land |
| Primary Industries |
among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; shipbuilding; textiles |
| Agricultural Products |
potatoes, wheat, barley, sugar beets, fruit, cabbages; cattle, pigs, poultry |
| Import Commodities |
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals |
| Export Commodities |
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles |
| Export Partners |
France 11.1%, US 10.6%, UK 8.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Austria 5.1%; Belgium 4.9%, Spain 4.5%, Switzerland 4.3% (2001) |
| AIRPORTS of Germany |
| BERLIN-TEGEL AIRPORT |
The airport is located 8km (5 miles) northwest of the city centre |
Detals |
| COLOGNE - BONN AIRPORT KONRAD ADENAUER |
The airport is located 15km (9.5 miles) southeast of Cologne |
Detals |
| DÜSSELDORF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT |
The airport is located 8km (5 miles) north of Düsseldorf |
Detals |
| Frankfurt Airport |
The airport is located 12km (8 miles) southwest of the city centre |
Detals |
| HAMBURG AIRPORT |
The airport is located 8km (5 miles) north of Hamburg |
Detals |
| STUTTGART AIRPORT |
The airport is located 13km (8 miles) south of Stuttgart |
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