Page 29 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

A POR TR AIT OF GERM AN Y  27

Although reunification took place
on 3 October, 1990, unity among
the people themselves has taken a
long time. For a while, the former
GDR tended to regard their
western counterparts as arrogant
and self-assured, while the latter
claimed that the inhabitants of the
“new states” were jealous and
ungrateful, resenting the billions
of marks and euros that were Bathers on the sandy beaches of Norddeich
poured into impoverished regions
to help equalize living standards. Today, Germany is on the rise, especially in cities,
despite an on-going imbalance of wealth, as is the number of people who are
with East Germany still suffering from a seemingly uninterested in having a family.
higher unemployment rate than the West, As a result, the German birth rate has been
tensions have eased and the focus is declining. This population decline is some-
generally on working together. thing that the government has been trying
As the leading country within to address in recent years – hence the
the European Union in terms open-door policy on immigration.
of GDP, the country has also Great emphasis is still placed on art,
been in the political spotlight for culture and intellectual pursuits, which for
the last few years. Many within many provides a satisfying counterbalance
Germany consider their country to the country’s industrial and commercial
a bastion of liberal democracy life. Germans also make the most of public
in a western world that is holidays and enjoy festivals. They are
increasingly turning to populism. also among Europe’s most enthusiastic
travellers, with the country’s population
Daily Life spending more than 68 billion euros on
Germany is commonly regarded holidays abroad every year.
as a well-organised country
and – with the slightly unruly
Participant in a exception of Berlin – this is
parade celebrating largely true. Many Germans
the Reunification continue to embrace old-
fashioned values such
as orderliness and industriousness,
punctuality and privacy. This is especially
true in working life, where they tend to be
on time for meetings and manage their
time well. To many, such behaviour can
come across as perfectionist, even stoic,
yet their humour and sense of community
should not be underestimated.
Lifestyles here tend to be typically West-
ern, with education and career both high
priorities. The main religion is Christianity
and while this is in decline, the culture does
remain vibrant in some places. The number
of people choosing to live alone in The upper town of Meersberg, with the Bodensee below

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