Germany

1. Germany By: Jordan Walls

2. People • Most of the people that live in Germany are Germans. • German is 91.5%, Turkish is 2.4%, Italian is 0.7%, Greek is 0.4%, Polish is 0.4%, other 4.6%. • About 1/3 of the population is protestant.

3. Government • On January 18, 1871, Germany won their independence. • It has the fifth largest economy in the world. • They are the largest and most technologically advanced producers of coal, steel, and iron. • They import 2.862 million barrels of oil a day.

4. Elections • President elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term) by a Federal Assembly • To be eligible to vote, an individual must have resided in Germany for at least three months prior to an election. • Elections at the federal and local levels are not held at the same time, as in the United States, but are held at different times.

5. Economy • 81,471,834 people live in Germany. • The agriculture products that they grow are potatoes, wheat, barley, cattle, and poultry. • Germany has the largest economy in Europe. • Germany is the second largest exporter of materials in the world. • Power plants burning lignite are one of the main sources of electricity in Germany.

6. Major Problems • Many Germans depend on welfare to live. • The lack of jobs, low welfare payments, and parents who are drug-addicted are the cause of many kids starving every night. • 3.3 of all students who go to high school dropped out without earning their degree. • A former salt mine in lower Saxony is causing distress as it is a nuclear waste repository.

7. Political Factions • The two major political parties are the Social Democratic Party of Germany, and the Christian Democratic Union. • Germany also has three minor parties in addition to their major parties. • They are often described by with their party colors.