Germany

Location Central Europe Borders North Sea and Baltic Sea South of Denmark; between the Netherlands and Poland Borders the countries of: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Poland, and Switzerland

Natural Resources Coal Lignite Natural Gas Iron ore Copper Nickel Uranium Potash Salt Construction material Timber Arable Land

Environmental Issues Air pollution from coal burning utilities and industries Acid rain Sewage in the Baltic Sea Hazardous waste disposal These issues have lead Germany to be a ‘green’ nation, and they are currently working with the EU to identify nature preserves in line with the Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive.

Economy Fifth largest economy in the world, and Europe’s largest Europe’s leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household products Numbers: Unemployment rate: 7.1% Population below poverty line: 15.5% Inflation rate: 1.1% Budget deficit: -3.3%

Agriculture Potatoes Wheat Barley Sugar beets Fruit Cabbages Cattle Pigs Poultry 2.4% of population works with agriculture

Industry Industry production growth rate: 10.8% Iron Steel Coal Cement Chemicals Machinery Vehicles Machine tools Electronics Food Ships Textiles Industry production growth rate: 10.8%

Export Partners Import Partners France 10.1%, US 6.7%, UK 6.6%, Netherlands 6.6%, Italy 6.3%, Austria 5.7%, Belgium 5.2%, China 4.7%, Switzerland 4.5% Import Partners Netherlands 13%, France 8.2%, Belgium 7.2%, China 6.8%, Italy 5.6%, UK 4.7%, Austria 4.4%, US 4.2%, Switzerland 4.1%

Military Manpower available for military service: males age 16-49: 18,529,299 females age 16-49: 17,888,543 Manpower fit for military service: males age 16-49: 15,027,886 females age 16-49: 14,510,527

German - UN Relations

United States of America Most US economic views are shared by Germany Germany does not approve of Iraq, and their view of US diminished with the declaration of the war US sees Germany’s lack of support in Iraq as the main irritant between the two countries US still considers Germany one of their most important international partners

United Kingdom Both Germany and UK are members of NATO and the EU They have a strong political and economic relationship, particularly within the EU

Russian Federation The relationship between Germany and Russia is relatively good, but not without tensions (including past clashes concerning human rights) Russia considers Germany their leading European partner Russia has natural resources, which are an interest to industrialized Germany

China Germany is China’s largest European trading partner China is Germany’s second largest trading partner outside of the EU (after the US)

France France and Germany relations are embodied in a cooperation called the Franco-German Friendship. Franco-German cooperation is based on the Élysée Treaty, signed in 1963. The treaty contained a number of agreements for cooperation in foreign policy, economics, military, and education.

South Africa German representatives call the relationship “excellent” as well as strategic in economic and world affairs Germany is South Africa’s fourth largest trading partner

Brazil Germany has expressed their commitment to business in Brazil Germany is one of Brazil’s most important trading partner, and Brazil is Germany’s most important trading partner in Latin America

Columbia Germany and Columbia share a close economic, political, and cultural relationship

Gabon Germany maintains a diplomatic relationship with Gabon, and Gabon often supports German interests

Lebanon Germany has shown interest in expanding relations with Lebanon

Nigeria Germany and Nigeria are both working towards deepening their business relations with each other. Their main focuses include cooperation in business, banking and finance, alternative energy, health care, education, and infrastructure.

Portugal Germany and Portugal share many opinions concerning European and international policy Germany is Portugal’s most important trading partner after Spain

India Germany and India are in a close political relationship, represented by the Indo-German Relations This partnership is designed to markedly step up cooperation in the business and energy sectors as well as in science, technology and defense Germany is India’s principle trading partner in the EU For decades, Germany has been among the ten principal foreign direct investors in India Germany is India’s second most important research partner Environmental cooperation is a focus in India – Germany relations

Bosnia and Herzegovina Germany has a diplomatic relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and bilateral relations have been steadily developing There has been a strong increase of trade between the two nations