Germany   Foreign Travelogues

Germany 1575 ABC and Booklet

Rhine Castle   Bavarian Alps   Cologne Cathedral   Black Forest   Old Munich

 

Germany is a nation in the heart of the European Continent with an area of 136,822 sq. mi. Since World War II, it has been divided into two countries. The American, British, and French occupational zone is called West Germany. The capital is Bonn. The other section, controlled by Russia, is called East Germany, whose capital is East Berlin. The Bavarian Alps branch out from Switzerland in the southeastern corner of Germany. The land then slopes north through forests and plains down to the Baltic and North Seas. The important rivers are connected by a web of canals. ; Seafarers from Asia are believed to have been Germany's first inhabitants, landing on the north coast about 2000 B. C. By 102 B. C., they had merged with other tribes and were at war with the Romans. This conflict ended in 600 A. D. when Germany conquered Rome's western provinces. In 800 Charlemagne was crowned emperor of the First Empire. It soon started breaking into Catholic and Protestant states, which led to the 30-Years' War (1617-48). When it was over, the country was helpless against attacks of tyrants and robber kings. They would not unite, and as a result, the territory remained divided. From this chaos, Germany was finally founded in 1871 under the Prussian Rule. During World War I (1914-18) and World War II (1939- 45), most of the world united against Germany. The population of West Germany is 47 million. The people are thrifty, hard-working, noted for being thorough in everything they do. German artists, scientists, and scholars have contributed greatly to the world as we know it today. Books were first pub- lished in Germany and the Germans were first to teach the masses to read and write. Germany's chief agricultural products are grains, sugar beets, hops, and grapes. Important minerals are coal, salt, petroleum, amber, and lead zinc. About one-fourth of the land is covered with timber. The Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg is Europe's number one auto company. Most Volkswagens are exported. Other well-known articles shipped all over the globe include cameras, field glasses, optical instruments, toys, and fine china. SCENES OF GERMANY Locate each scene by number on the front page map. View-Master Reel 1575-A 1. Berlin, capital of the German Empire from 1871 until 1945, is divided into two sections — East and West Berlin. Buzzing with activity. West Berlin makes almost every kind of machinery run by elec- tricity. Once again, it has resumed its artistic life with film, music, and other festivals. In its art mu- seums hang some of the world's greatest master- pieces. And along busy Kurfurstendamm, the Broadway of West Berlin, are some of the finest shops and sidewalk cafes in all Europe. 2. Bremerhaven, the port of Bremen, is the center of commerce in northwestern Germany. Next to Hamburg, it is the most important port in the country. On the Weser River, ten miles from the open sea, it is the dry dock and workshop for the North German Lloyd Steamship Company. It is also the chief port of emigration on the Continent. 3. Rail, river, and ocean traffic meet in Ham- burg. Its shipping is exceeded only by that of New ETC ETC