Germany – An All-Embracing Place to Be

Germany stretches across Western and Central Europe, covering about 357,000 square kilometers and shares its borders with nine other European countries. With a population of more than 80 million people, Germany is the second-most populous state in Europe after Russia. Germany’s economy is the fifth-largest in the world, and the German approach is considered a role model for other nations to follow in terms of politics, social policies and economics. The state’s long and rich history arises from a diverse array of religions, customs, and traditions. The nation has been a forerunner of European thought, politics, and art for over 1,000 years. “The land of poets and thinkers” is the historical name for Germany. Its writers and philosophers have played a key role in shaping the development of Western thought. In 2013 and 2014, a BBC global opinion poll regarding various nations found that the majority selected Germany as having the most positive influence in the world. Being a country of intellectuals, it is not surprising that German culture and people highly value reason and logic. Germans respect order and structure and thus believe in strict adherence to rules. “There must be order” is a common expression for all Germans, and it has become a cultural cliché for Germans around the world, as well as a norm for them at home. Germans have contributed enormously to the field of classical music. The nation is home to many renowned classical composers, namely Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Handel, Telemann, etc. Germany is an open and advanced society with some of the world’s most progressive policies regarding gender equality, safeguarding those of diverse sexual orientation, and immigration. Germans value the benefits of a multicultural society, and thus they welcome migrants and refugees with open arms.