Germany - An Overview

Germany has a rich history with vibrant cities, picturesque countryside, amazing culture and a country dotted with palaces and abbeys. If you are planning to pursue your higher education in Germany or any other country, it is better to equip yourself with the country's history.


Below, is a brief history of Germany:

Timeline Of Germany

936 A.D.:
Otto the Great is elected king of East Francia, which is now Germany.

1618-1648:
The Thirty Years' War is fought almost entirely in Germany. The empire is divided into small principalities.

1685:
Great music composers George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach are born.

1857:
Well known fairytales like Rapunzel, Cinderella, Rumpelstiltskin are written.

1864-1871:
Otto von Bismarck unifies Germany in a series of wars. In 1871, King Wilhelm I of Prussia is named kaiser, or emperor, of Germany.

1914-1918:
Germany goes to war against Russia and France which escalates into World War I. Germany is defeated.

1933:
Rise of Hitler
Adolf Hitler, an Austrian, takes power. Hitler and the Nazi party begin a reign of terror.

1936:
Berlin Olympics

1939-1945:
World War II begins with the rise of Poland. The U.S. and its allies defeat Germany, Italy and Japan. Millions of people mostly Jews die in the Holocaust

1949:
Germany is divided into the Federal Republic of Germany, in the west, and the Communist German Democratic Republic, in the east.

1989-1991:
The Berlin Wall, separating East and West Germany, is torn down. A unified Germany is formed with Berlin as the capital.

1990:
Kohl leads a reunified Germany.

May 2005:
Germany opens its first official Holocaust memorial dedicated to the nearly 6 million Jews that were killed between 1933 and 1945.

Fast Facts Capital: Berlin Major Cities: Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, Stuttgart, Bamberg Time Zone: Germany is on Central European Time, which is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Currency: Euro Languages Spoken: German Religion: Protestant and Roman Catholic

Time Zone

The whole of Germany lies within one time zone, Central European Time (CET). Clocks go forward in spring and back in autumn. The switch to summer time (forward one hour) happens on the last Sunday in March. Winter time (back one hour) starts on the last Sunday in October.

Climate

The majority of Germany lies within the moderate, maritime climatic zone. Rain falls throughout the year. The average winter temperature is +2°C on the North German Plain and - 6°C in the mountains. Average temperatures in July range between +18°C on the North German Plain and +20°C in the sheltered valleys of the south. Exceptions include the upper Rhine plains with their very mild climate, Upper Bavaria which is influenced by the föhn, a warm Alpine wind that blows in from the south, and the Harz mountains, which have their own microclimate with harsh winds, cool summers and snowy winters.

Approximate temperatures in Germany (month-wise)

Month	min. temp in °C	max. temp in °C	Humidity in %	Days of rain per month
January	-3	2	85	15
February	-3	3	81	16
March	1	8	81	14
April	4	13	70	11
May	8	19	67	8
June	11	22	69	7
July	13	24	70	7
August	13	23	73	9
September	9	19	80	10
October	6	13	83	12
November	2	7	85	14
December	-2	3	86	15

Languages Spoken

There are 2 groups within the modern German language corresponding to the geographic location: the low German, spoken in the northern part of Germany and high German spoken in the lower half of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

International Flights available in India & Germany

The following airlines fly between Delhi and Frankfurt:

• Air India
• Lufthansa
• Jet Airways
• Gulf Air
• Klm Royal Dutch Airlines
• Air France
• Turkish Airlines
• Aeroflot Russian Air

Jet Airways is one of the few airlines that offer some student discounts. Keep checking their website for regular updates on discounts and baggage allowance. For example, in June 2009 Jet Airways announced a baggage allowance for students traveling ex-India to UK/Europe was changed to total 50 kgs ( i.e. the Normal FBA of 28 kgs plus additional baggage of 22 kgs) till 31 October 2009.

Click on the links below for further information on Higher Education in Germany:

Germany as a Study Destination	Education System of Germany
Higher Education Institutions of Germany	Programs in German Universities
Scholarships	Admission to German Universities
Engineering in Germany	MBA Programs in Germany
Student Visa	Cost of Study
Grading System in German Universities	Jobs for Students
Accommodation for Students in Germany	Tips for Studying in Germany
List of Important Exams	Important Cities
Embassy Contacts	Important German Terms
List of Universities	Important Addresses
FAQs	Do's and Dont's in Germany
Important Phone Numbers

Check out this video to have more information on Germany