Capital and largest city

MAJOR CITIES

• Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany. Hamburg is known as the 'harbor to the world'.
• Frankfurt is a very important city in Germany. Hesse trade center which dates back to the 12th century. Today it is the seat of the main national and European bank headquarters.
• Stuttgart is another very important city. Stuttgart is known as a manufacturing hub. Mercedes Benz and Porsche have headquarters and museums in this city.

The current German flag colors are traced back to early 19th century volunteers who fought for the country in the Napoleonic wars. The colors are based on the soldiers uniforms which were black coats with red braid and gold buttons.

MONEY! 💰

Brandenburg Gate - No structure in Berlin is as well known internationally as the Brandenburg Gate. Starting in 1961, it was in the middle of the no mans land between the two walls that made up Berlin Wall. For 28 years it was inaccessible. As a symbol of division and re unification, it represents the city's turbulent history.

• Brandenburg Gate - No structure in Berlin is as well known internationally as the Brandenburg Gate. Starting in 1961, it was in the middle of the no mans land between the two walls that made up Berlin Wall. For 28 years it was inaccessible. As a symbol of division and re unification, it represents the city's turbulent history.

Heidelberg Castle - It must be the special mixture of visibility and transience that lends Heidelberg castle it's fascinating aura. It seems other worldly and is considered to epitomize German romanticism.

Cologne Cathedral - In 1248, in the city on the Rhine, building that lasted for centuries began on a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. When it was finally finished, in 1880, it was considered the worlds largest building. Nowadays six million people a year visit Cologne Cathedral.

POPULAR SOUVENIRS!

"Prosts!" 🍺
Nothing says Germany like a cold pils. And what better way to drink your brew than from a beer stein. The ultimate - albeit heavy - symbol of German culture around the world. Mug materials range from stone, porcelain, glass, and pewter. Some come with fancy pewter lids that can be single handedly flipped up with the flick of a thumb. Most beer steins cost over 180 euros.

Lederhosen! They are to Germany like beer is to Oktoberfest. Just don't let a northern German hear you say that. The stereotypical Deutsch duds are actually traditional attire from the Alpine regions in the south. On special occasions, men from the south can be spotted in these leather trousers. In department stores, you can snag a pair starting at 65 euros which is 86 American dollars.

HARIBO GUMMY BEARS
HARIBO invented the sweet snack in 1992, but recipes vary between countries. Unofficial taste testers report that the German version tastes more fruity than the U.S version. Could it be because they get their hues from an all natural mix of natural ingredients like spinach, nettle, and carrots. Bonus: the German bag of bears includes an extra flavor not featured in the US version which is apple.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 🚂

The Entwerter is for validating your public transportation ticket. It's important to know that just having a ticket in your possession isn't enough. Your ticket must be validated. Either before you board the train (using the machines at the train station entrance or on the platform) or immediately after you board a bus or a train. (Using machines in isles) The entwerter stamps your ticket with a code.

S-Bahn services is a commuter train in high-density areas, like the urban area of Berlin. It runs in quick, regular intervals. Some S-Bahn stations connect to longer distance regional trains.

SOCIAL

POPULATION

MAIN LANGUAGE SPOKEN - GERMAN (BASICS) ENGLISH TO GERMAN

• Hello, how are you - Hallo, wie geht es dir?
• Please - Bitte
• Yes - Ja
• No - Nein
• Excuse me? - Entschuldigen sie bitte
• Pardon me - Entschuldigung
• I'm sorry - Es tut mir leid
• I don't understand - Das verstche ich nicht
• I don't speak German very well - Ich spreche nicht sehr gut Deutsch
• Do you speak English? - Sprechen sie Englisch
• Can you help me? - Können sie mir heifen
• Where is the bathroom? - Wo ist das wc

CULTURAL TABOOS (DO'S AND DONT'S)

• Do not get drunk. Public drunkenness is frowned upon
• Do not jaywalk. Nobody else does and you might fined.
• Do not ask for tap water at a restaurant. It will be taken as stinginess.
• Do say "Guten Appetit" (good appetite) before eating and say "prost" (cheers) before you sip your beer.
• Do keep your hands on the table but not your elbows
• Do be aware that some women may bathe topples or even full nudity at the beach. The nude beaches are labeled with "Fkk" for Freikörperkultur which means free body culture.

HOW TO PACK FOR TRAVELING TO GERMANY

• Everyday clothing (something you are comfortable in and can sit on a train or bus for long periods of time as well as walking around the cities and villages you plan on visiting.
• If you plan to dine at upscale restaurants or attend the opera, bring a set of dress up clothing that you can use just incase.
• You should also bring your essentials. Including a toothbrush, hairbrush, a razor (if needed), makeup (if a lady), and whatever else you might need.

POPULAR CUISINE🍲

Sauerbraten is a German pot roast that can be prepared with a variety of meats - most often beef but also from venison, lamb, mutton, pork, and traditionally, horse.

Lebkuchen is a traditional Christmas cookie, somewhat related to gingerbread.

Gaisburger Marsch is a traditional Swabian beef stew named after Gaisburger, a district of Stuttgart. The meat is cooked in a strong beef broth, and is cut into cubes and served with cooked potatoes and Spätzle.