Germany is one of the most important countries in Europe , both from an economic and population perspective. In addition, although it is not the one that attracts the most tourists a year, it is also one of the places where we can find a lots of curious anecdotes that will not leave anyone indifferent. If you want to discover some of the curiosities of Germany more striking, continue reading and we tell you.
12 curiosities of Germany to discover
Germany, a country that has survived turbulent times, with historical periods that had a great impact all over the world, is today one of the most remarkable powers within the European Union. With a capital like Berlin , 9 times larger than Paris, the German nation arouses interest in all those who wonder how they managed to overcome an episode as black as World War II until today in such good conditions. As we also find an enigmatic region, we have looked for these curiosities of Germany that will make you know this country better.
1. Famous footballers from Germany
One of the curiosities of Germany is his devotion to football, where he is considered the National sport , and its players, true stars loved by their followers. Some of the most famous footballers in their history have been Franz Beckenbauer, Lothar Mattahaüs, Gerd Müller, Fritz Walter, Uwe Seeler or Oliver Kahn among others.
2. German food
Of all the meals we can find in Germany, the most famous of all and the one that is part of the accompaniment of many dishes is the sauerkraut .
Sauerkraut is composed of leaves of cabbage that are left to ferment in water with salt and seasoned with spices such as pepper or dill.
3. The Brandenburg Gate
One of the curiosities of Germany is found in its own capital, Berlin, where the famous Brandenburg Gate stands.
This monument was erected in the century XVIII and, unlike what one might think, it is not an arc of triumph, but one of the entrances of the time to the interior of the city .
4. German customs: the love for beer
Of all the German customs, one of the best known is his love for beer , which is consumed in numerous meetings and festivities. A good example of this is the October Party (Oktoberfest) , which is celebrated in Munich since 1810 and that is celebrated between the months of September and October according to the calendar of each year.
5. The first magazines
It is not coincidence, since it was Gutenberg who invented the printing press. At 1663 year in Hamburg the first edition of Erbauliche Monaths Unterredungen , which has the honor of being considered the first magazine that was published worldwide.
6. History of Germany: many capitals
Throughout the history of Germany, the capital of the country has been located in different cities of its territory. In this way, we can find historical periods in which the capital was in cities such as Aachen, Regensburg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Weimar, Bonn and, finally, Berlin .
7. The most populous country in the European Union
Another curiosity of Germany is that, despite not being the most extensive country in square kilometers of the European Union Yes, it is the most populated country. According to the most recent censuses, it is estimated that the country has a population close to 81 million inhabitants .
8. One of the lowest birth rates in the world
However, one of the curiosities of Germany that attracts the most attention is that, despite being the most populated country in the European Union, it is also the one with the lowest birth rate, not only of the old continent, but of all the world.
In fact, it is a rate so low that it only beats it lower than Japan , which would be the country with the lowest birth rate followed by the German country.
9. The attempt to escape from jail is not punished
One of the curiosities of Germany that can most attract attention to the inhabitants of other countries is that it is a country where the attempt to escape from prison is not punishable . This is because it is considered that the instinct to be free is a basic human instinct , so it can not be repressed.
10. The Fanta is a German invention
The soda Fanta was invented in Germany . This took place during the Second World War , and it was the answer to the difficulty of trying to import it Coca Cola from abroad due to the war.
12. It is illegal to run out of fuel on motorways
Although not prohibited, motorists are only allowed to stop at the German Autobahn for emergencies. Thus, running out of fuel is not considered as such. Drivers can be fined and can also take their driver's license for six months if this happens.
In addition, walking or running on the national motorway network is also illegal and is punishable by a fine of around 90 euros.
12. Some of the best-known inventions are German
We can thank Germany for the bulb, the automatic calculator and the cars. If that seems to you little, the discovery of insulin, the invention of the clarinet, pocket watch and television also took place in Germany. In addition, the engines for cars, gasoline and diesel also have their origin, among many other things, in the German country.
As you can see, the curiosities of Germany are much more striking than they might seem at first. So, if you have the chance to visit some of your cities , you should not miss the opportunity, because surely you will discover many more curious things and striking anecdotes from one of the countries that is reputed to be among the most ordered and squared in the world.