Country Report: Germany

The country profile of Germany provides general information on the country's population, area and health indicators (among others). It briefly discusses the history of the country and traces the developments that led to the unification of West Germany and East Germany.

The business climate in the country after the unification is examined and information regarding the major industries in the country is provided. Essentially, the note gives an overview of the business and economic climate of the modern, unified Germany, and comments on the future economic prospects of the country.

While the country's name makes the general public think of the Second World War, Hitler, the Oktoberfest beer festival and Boris Becker; it makes the corporate world think of Volkswagen, Mercedes, Siemens, the Autobahn and BMW. Germany's recovery after the Second World War has come to be regarded as an economic miracle similar to Japan's.

The country has become one of the largest and most successful industrial nations in the world, in spite of being almost wiped out by the war. By the beginning of the 21st century, Germany was the third largest country in terms of overall economic performance, and the second largest in terms of world trade.