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Germany is also renowned for its rivers, like the Rhine, Elbe, Danube, Ruhr, Ahr and Moselle, Saar, Neckar, Werra, Saale, Inn and many more. These shape the countryside and contribute to the quality of life and to the economy. Dense, mixed forests and mediaeval castles lie along the river valleys in the hills of central Germany, such as the Black Forest, a region that was once the joy of the German Romantic poets.

Germany’s largest conurbation – the Ruhr – has much more to offer than just coal, iron and steel. It boasts many parks and nature reserves, and is a lot greener than you might expect. The city of Essen, set in the heart of the Ruhr, will become the European Capital of Culture in 2010.

Further south, the Alps rise up majestically with their crystal-clear mountain lakes and magic vistas. Ideal for winter, summer, spring and autumn visits. Northern Germany is dominated by moors, heaths, and a string of islands in the North Sea, such as Sylt, Borkum, Juist, Nordeney with high and wide-ranging sand dunes. While the Baltic Sea offers Rügen, Hiddensee and the world famous amber.

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Although so many beautiful landscapes exist, nearly half of Germany’s inhabitants choose urban life and are at home in 82 cities with a population of 100,000 and more. Germany's three largest cities are Berlin (3.4 million), Hamburg (1.8 million) and Munich (1.3 million).