Goethe, Bach and Beethoven – the cultural life of Germany has a long and rich tradition. Nowadays, however, names like the painter, Gerhard Richter and the director, Fatih Akin, and German hip-hop, also stand for a lively, many-faceted land of culture. The nation's culture emanates from the peaceful and tolerant coexistence and collaboration of all who live in Germany at the present time.

Musicals in Hamburg, modern ballet in Wuppertal, contemporary paintings in Berlin or theatre in Weimar – art and culture are there to be experienced all over Germany. The level of interest is high: around 35 million spectators attend more than 100,000 theatre productions and more than 7,000 concerts year by year. And if you do not want to see Goethe's ‘Faust' or hear Beethoven's symphonies, you can improve your knowledge of art from prehistory to the present day in one of 6,000 museums.

Germany is the custodian of a rich cultural heritage

In all parts of the country, testimonies to a rich cultural heritage can be found. These include not only the works of the great German ‘poets and thinkers' and the castles and stately homes that pepper the whole country, but also modern product design, historical city parks and housing developments from the nineteen twenties.

In Germany there are many large and small cultural centres. This is because of the federal structure of the country, which also confers upon the federal states a great responsibility to promote culture. This is why, in Germany, a varied cultural life is played out, even in the small towns.

Thirty cultural sites in Germany have been declared world cultural heritage sites by Unesco. This includes Aachen cathedral, the Würzburger Residence and classical Weimar, the city of Goethe and Schiller. As centres of unique atmosphere and great historical value, they provide the opportunity to learn more about the life and culture of the German people in past centuries.

A vibrant music and theatre scene

Music has always been a number-one priority in Germany. Nowadays more than 130 orchestras vie for the attention of countless music fans. Opera houses, even in small towns, offer an extensive repertoire. Festivals like the Bayreuth Festspiele and the Bach Festival in Leipzig constitute further examples of large-scale events that attract international audiences. The modern music scene is equally vibrant: Musicals, rock-pop events or jazz concerts are on the programme just about everywhere.

Literature, too, can be experienced ‘live' in many places. And not merely at the Frankfurt Book Fair, that has developed into the main springboard for the works of young men and women authors. Readings can be heard everywhere: in bookshops, at literature festivals and on small and large stages. In addition to the works of contemporary authors, it is there that the classical literature flame is kept burning, in particular. And with great success: Goethe's ‘Faust' is still the play that is performed most often in Germany.

Especially attractive: The new museum developments

The many new museums and art galleries are also spread across the country. Besides the large historical collections in Munich, Cologne, Dresden and Berlin, it is, above all, the new museum developments in Leipzig, Stuttgart and even on the Island of Hombroich, that have proven to be real magnets for the general public. What is on offer there is far more than new architecture; it is art from all eras, presented in interesting, and frequently unusual contexts.

Spatial installations, video art and new photography – anyone who wants to find out more about the current trends in contemporary art should visit one of the many art galleries in Düsseldorf, Cologne or Berlin. A young gallery scene has now established itself here, and it is also finding international recognition.

Tradition and avant-garde in Berlin, the capital

Berlin plays a special role in Germany's cultural life. As the capital of the former Prussia, Berlin has a magnificent past. The Foundation for Prussian Cultural Heritage, one of the largest cultural organisations in the world, houses and takes care of the treasures of this unique heritage. The Museumsinsel, which is undergoing costly renovation work that will take until 2009, is already an absolute ‘must' for everyone who visits Berlin.

However, in Germany's capital the important works of classical modernity are very much alive, as well: In Berlin, Berthold Brecht's plays find as large an audience as Marlene Dietrich's films and the ‘Die Brücke' group's expressionist paintings.

The new German capital also has a lot to offer as far as modern art is concerned: In Berlin, it is not only sensational theatre presentations and exciting art and music events that take place. The cinema scene is also legendary, attracting people to events not only during the ‘Berlinale' festival season, where the latest international productions are put on.

Despite the high population density, Germany has a wealth of natural beauty.

Little wonder: With two seas in the North, lake and river landscapes, low and high mountain ranges, a large number of country parks and nature reserves, the country presents the visitor with some particularly diverse natural features. Agricultural landscapes such as the fertile valleys of the Rhine and Mosel, the extensive fens at the North Sea coast, and the foothills of the Alps with their mountains and lakes, have also influenced the culture of the regions with their traditions and customs, which often date back centuries.

A wide choice of leisure activities

All over the country visitors can benefit from a wide range of enjoyable leisure and sporting activities. Well-appointed hiking and cycle tracks, ski runs and cross-country ski runs in the high and low mountain ranges, as well as an excellent offer of water sports facilities, invite the visitor to spend their leisure time in a very active way. The many Spa establishments that can be found throughout the country promise relaxation and a chance for stressed holidaymakers to unwind completely.

There is exciting entertainment for sports fans, too. Competitions in all types of sport can be seen, live, at the large number of venues. In Germany, football is naturally in the forefront here. On average, ten million spectators attend Bundesliga games every season.

Germany's cities – attractive, but not only to fans of culture

Anyone wanting to experience art and culture will be well provided for in Germany. The numerous castles and stately homes, churches and monasteries, and the historic city parks, many of which are very well preserved, attract tourists ‘like bees round a honey pot'. However, cities like the ‘Magic Cities', which include Frankfurt, Dresden, Hamburg, Cologne and Munich, are also popular destinations. In addition to many sights and important cultural institutions, these metropolises offer a wide range of interesting and up-to-the-minute events.

Berlin is a particular focal point for visitors from Germany and beyond. Like no other city this metropolis, divided until 1989, constitutes a symbol of German unity. As such, Germany's capital city is now proving to be more lively and exciting than ever: Architecture old and new, culture from centuries past and avant-garde art, a vibrant art and theatre scene, international trade fairs and musical events – Berlin really does have something to suit all tastes.

UNESCO has awarded thirty places of cultural interest the status of world cultural heritage site

But in many smaller towns, as well, what is on offer in terms of culture is truly astonishing. This is because of the history of the country, which developed out of a vast number of small states. This is why, today, it is not just Berlin's Museumsinsel and Cologne cathedral that are counted among Germany's thirty UNESCO world heritage sites; the old towns of Stralsund and Bamberg, and classical Weimar, have also earned this designation.

The many folk festivals and processions that are held throughout Germany constitute very significant attractions, bringing in more and more visitors every year. And by this we do not just mean the Munich Octoberfest, the Christkindlmarkt in Nuremberg or the Rhine Carnival.

There are also the Alemannic pre-Lent celebrations in Rottweil. They attract tens of thousands of visitors to the Black Forest annually in the days running up to Ash Wednesday, and can trace their origins back to the 15th century. In the far North of the country at the Rostock Hanse Sail, held on the second weekend in August every year, around 200 sailors with their tall ships and historic craft gather together with more than a million spectators. This makes the Rostock Hanse Sail the largest maritime event to be held in the coastal Land of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

And in Berlin? Next summer, too, it is expecting more than a million visitors to come when, first, the gay-lesbian parade on Christopher Street Day and then the Love Parade will get the capital dancing.

A highly developed transport infrastructure

With more than 82 million inhabitants, living in an area covering 350,000 square kilometres, Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. The transport infrastructure is thus comprehensive and well developed. From Hamburg right down to Munich and from Cologne as far as Berlin – all points are accessible easily and quickly by car, rail, coach or plane. The ever growing Intercity rail network, the extensive motorway network and the modern aviation network ensure smooth-running travel and the latest safety standards.

Beyond the far-reaching branches of the transport system almost a hundred tourist roads, such as the ‘Romantic Road' or the ‘German Wine Road', give visitors access to the ancient rural parts of the country, enabling them to get close to the beauties of nature and some idyllic old towns and villages.

Hospitality is the number one priority

Visitors to Germany can find accommodation from every category: From the private room through guesthouses and holiday apartments to the luxury standard hotel. Even accommodation in the lower-price classes has to meet certain standards, with compliance being monitored, and so, at all events, a minimum degree of comfort can be expected.

It has long been known that Germany has more dishes to offer than simply ‘Bratwurst' and ‘Sauerkraut'. Even if regional cuisine is greatly appreciated, in country area, too, international dishes will be on the menu. And it is not only in cities that connoisseurs can find their favourite fare: excellent restaurants can be found right across the country.

Germany's research landscape is subdivided into the sectors trade and industry, universities and non-university research institutes . Trade and industry is the most important player in the research and development sector (R&D). R&D expenditure by trade and industry reached around 36.8 billion euros in 2003. At universities R&D expenditure totalled 9.1 billion euros, and at non-university institutes around 7.3 billion euros. All in all, therefore, the Federal Republic of Germany's gross domestic expenditure on R&D in 2003 was 53.2 billion euros, making up 2.5 % of gross domestic product.

University research: the backbone of German science

Universities traditionally form the backbone of German system of research and science. This outstanding position is based on the breadth of university research in terms of subjects and methodology and is secured through the promoting of the new generation of academics. Universities have a central role as sponsors of the greatest, and at the same time most comprehensive, potential of publicly funded research in Germany as well as the basis and most important centres of the German research system.

Due to the institutional link between research, research-oriented training of new academics, and teaching, the efficiency of universities becomes an important prerequisite for the success of the entire German research system. This is because non-university research institutes are to a great extent reliant on highly efficient universities too – as a place of training for new academics, as a broad platform for various disciplines and forms of research as well as a co-operation partner in selected areas of research.

Research at universities ranges from basic research, via application-based research, to development work: Currently, there are 350 universities in Germany, of which 79 are privately funded.

The Higher Education Compass features information from the Association of Universities and other Higher Education Institutions in Germany (Hochschulrektorenkonferenz) on all higher education institutions in Germany, their study courses and international co-operations.

Together with the federal states (Länder), the Federal Government funds the two major research organisations Max Planck Society and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft . It is responsible for 50% of the total funding for the Max Planck Society and 90% for the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The Max Planck Society carries out interdisciplinary basic research in new areas of future importance. It focuses mainly on cutting-edge research and performs a complementary function especially to university research. The Fraunhofer Gesellschaft concentrates on applied research. Its objective is to quickly translate research results into new and innovative products, procedures and services.

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is also jointly funded by the Federal Government and the Länder. Primarily, it supports the universities through projects and programmes in all disciplines. The Federal Government is responsible for 50% or more of the funding. Alongside the Max Planck Society and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, the German Research Foundation (DFG) contributes significantly to the strengthening and integration of research in Germany as well as to international co-operation. Promoting of the new generation of academics remains the key focus.

The 15 major research institutes that have merged under Hermann von Helmholtz-Association of National Research Centres are another essential component of the research landscape of the Federal Republic of Germany. They deal with complex scientific and technical issues and cross-sectional tasks, and they operate scientific-technical large-scale instrumentation and develop system solutions. Each major research institute receives 90 % of its basic funding from the Federal Government and 10 % from the federal state (Land) in which it is based.

The Federal Government and the Länder are responsible mainly for 50% of the funding for the institutes of Wissenschaftsgemeinschaft Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (Leibniz Association).Alongside the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of National Research Centres, the Max Planck Society and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, they represent the fourth pillar of joint promotion of research by the Federal Government and the Länder. The Leibniz Institutes are very diverse as regards function, size, location and legal form. The majority of the institutes are dedicated to application-based basic research. Common to all the institutes is the national importance of their work and national interest in their work in terms of science policy.

The 55 national and 188 regional research institutes funded by the Federal Government and/or the Länder represent considerable research capability. In addition to their independent activities, these institutes are primarily responsible for obtaining scientific results in order to carry out departmental tasks, but they also contribute to obtaining general knowledge.

Fostering of young, cutting-edge researchers

As common institute of German universities, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is responsible for promoting university relations with other countries, mainly through student and academic exchanges. Its programmes are, as a rule, open to all disciplines and all countries. They benefit foreigners as well as Germans. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is financed with funds from the Federal Government (90%) and the European Union (6%).

With more than 200 individual programmes, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) pursues the objectives of academic co-operation with other countries, promotion of the German language and German studies abroad, as well as (alumni) assistance for scholarship holders, information and publication, university marketing and policy advice.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation issues up to 600 research scholarships each year to foreign academics up to the age of 40 who have obtained doctorates. There are no quotas for countries or disciplines.

Each year it grants up to 150 Humboldt research awards for different programmes to internationally recognised academics. 80 of these research awards are awarded to natural scientists from the USA. In addition to these, there are up to twelve Max Planck research awards for international co-operations.

The German Federation of Industrial Co-operative Research Associations "Otto von Guericke" occupies an important place in the research landscape. The German Federation of Industrial Co-operative Research Associations is a private-sector umbrella organisation for 104 industrial research organisations. Together with 48 corporate research institutes and - in total - more than 700 closely affiliated institutes, they form the largest (economic) sector of the research landscape in terms of size. Their share of gross domestic expenditure on R&D is around 69 %. The main function of this federation is to promote joint industrial research. It also supports projects in application-based research that take into account the practical needs of small and medium-sized companies.

The seven German Academies of Sciences and Humanities in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Göttingen, Heidelberg, Leipzig, Mainz and Munich are merged under the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities. Some 1,500 academics from the most diverse disciplines have been appointed ordinary or corresponding members.

The academies, whose basic budget is funded exclusively by the Länder, are responsible for co-ordinating and managing essentially long-term projects of basic research as well as developing and maintaining interdisciplinary dialogue. Advising society on general and future issues is another focal point of the work of the academies. An important function of the academies is to carry out the academy programme, which is financed equally (50% each) by the Federal Government and the Länder to a sum of 42 million euros.

The German Academy of Natural Scientists Leopoldina in Halle, an international society of scholars of natural science and medicine, is funded by the Federal Government and the Land of Saxony-Anhalt at a ratio of 80:20.

The breadth of the research landscape and the execution of its various tasks by academic organisations and research institutes are among the strengths of the German academic system.

You can find more information in the brochure 'Bundesbericht Forschung 2004' (Federal Government report on research 2004).

Germany stands out as a centre for business through innovative and internationally active companies, qualified and motivated employees, an internationally recognised education system, an excellently developed infrastructure, as well as top achievements in research and development. Due to its central geographical location, Germany is at the same time an interface to the new markets of Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as beyond the boundaries of the new EU.

Social market economy

Economic order in Germany is organised according to the principle of the "social market economy". Although German Basic Law does not prescribe any particular economic order, the embodiment of the principle of the welfare state rules out a completely "free market economy". The concept of the social market economy, which can be traced back to the Federal Republic of Germany's first Economics Minister and, later, Chancellor, Ludwig Erhard, is secured by flanking market forces with social policy measures.

The model of the social market economy is designed to allow market forces free reign within certain limits and to prevent unsocial outgrowths of market development. The supply of goods is increased and diversified, the providers are motivated to be innovative, income and profits are distributed based on individual performance. At the same time, the social market economy prevents excessive pooling of market strength, ensures participation by employees in basic economic decisions and therefore their participation in social achievements.

The task of the state and politics is to create the framework for functioning competition and to moderate the various interests. At the same time, the state must promote the willingness and ability of people to act on their own responsibility.

World leader in exports

Economic life in Germany is more international in nature than in most other major industrial nations. One in three euros in Germany is generated through exports; nearly one in four jobs depends on exports. In 2003 Germany's foreign trade surplus totalled 129 billion euros. Germany is the world leader in exporting goods - even ahead of the USA.

Germany's great competitive strength internationally is illustrated most clearly in its high level of and rapidly growing merchandise exports. The rise in direct investments in Germany by international companies also underlines the good position of the German economy.

Germany's most important trade partners are western industrial nations. Its closest trade relations are with members of the European Union, with which Germany generates more than half of its turnover from foreign trade. Nearly 72 per cent of German exports remain within Europe; 71 per cent of German imports also come from Europe.

In 2003, Germany's most important trade partner was once again France. With regard to imports, France was followed by the Netherlands and the USA. The main buyers of German goods and services are, after France, the USA and Great Britain. The states of Central and Eastern Europe - especially Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary - are also becoming increasingly important to German foreign trade.

Top position internationally

Germany is one of the world's leading industrial nations. In the last few years, Germany's industry has considerably boosted its competitive strength and further extended its leading position in the international markets.

German industry is maintaining its strong position in Europe too. Between 1995 and 2001 Germany's share of total EU production in the automobile industry rose from 48.2 per cent to 52.6 per cent, in machine construction from 42.3 per cent to 44.4 per cent, and in the production of office machines and data processing equipment from 24.9 per cent to 29.7 per cent.

Between 1991 and 2002 Germany's gross domestic product (the value of all produced goods and services) rose from 1,710 billion euros to 1,984 billion euros. The weakness of the global economy led to a slow-down in growth in 2002. Despite this, in terms of its total economic output, Germany is in third place in the world.

Industries and sectors

The most important branch of the economic activity in Germany, with traditionally a very high share of total economic production, is industry. The 49,000 German industrial undertakings employ nearly 6.4 million staff. Together they generate turnover of more than 1.3 trillion euros. 98 per cent of all German industrial undertakings are small or medium-sized companies (SMEs) with 500 or fewer staff. SMEs generate around 33 per cent of industrial turnover.

Alongside industry, the services sector also plays an outstanding role and it has now become almost as large as industry. A German peculiarity and traditional core of economic life is the crafts trade. With around 863,000 businesses, it is Germany's most varied economic sector, employing 14 per cent of Germany's 36 million workers.

German industry is very diversified and in many sectors it is a global leader. Germany is the world's third largest automobile producer, with more than 70 per cent of vehicles produced here intended for export. Machine and plant construction, in which most German industrial undertakings are involved, is also of outstanding international importance.

Germany is also a world leader in the chemical industry. Furthermore, among Germany's most innovative sectors with above average growth rates are those of technologies for the use of renewable energies as well as information technology and bio-technology.

Germany as a venue for trade fairs

The trade fair business is one of the leading service sectors of the German economy. As regards hosting international trade fairs, Germany is the world's number one venue. Around two thirds of the world's leading trade fairs for individual sectors take place in Germany - among them, the Hanover Trade Fair (the world's largest industrial trade fair), the Frankfurt Book Fair, the computer fair Cebit, and the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt am Main. In addition, five of the world's ten largest (in terms of turnover) trade fair organisers are based in Germany.