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Germany
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GERMANY

Capital: Berlin (pop. 3,471,418)

Population: 83,398,326

Area: 357,021 sq. km.

Economy: In 2002, Germany ranked 16th in the UN's Human Development Index survey and 5th in total GDP, with a per capita GDP of $26,233 (2002). That said, 7.3% of its population live on less than $11 per day. Debt service statistics unavailable.

Main Language: German

Monkey's Name: Der Affe (dare off-uh)

Fun Fact: The German national football team's away jersey is kelly green—a color that doesn't even appear on the nation's flag. The reason? Following World War II, the Republic of Ireland (whose kits are green) was the first nation to put the past behind them and play a match with the (West) Germans. It took place on October 17, 1951 in Dalymount Park in Dublin, with Ireland winning 3-2. As an expression of gratitude to the Irish, the Germans adopted green as their away kit color, and it's stayed that way ever since.
The Monkey paid a quick visit to western Germany (not the defunct West Germany!) in May 2002. Despite the brevity of his visit, the Monkey has a keen interest in Germany. In part, that's because as home to Europe's largest population (excluding Russia) and its biggest economy, the reunified Germany is always a key player in European affairs. But it could also have something to do with the fact that the Monkey likes to wash down his kasespaetzle with a few cold steins of pilsner on occasion.

Despite its antiquity, there is a sense of newness about Germany. It has a lot to do with its recent history. Soon after its defeat in the second World War, Germany was divided by the occupying allies into four zones controlled by the USSR, the United States, Britain, France and the Benelux countries. Within a few years, the three western-controlled zones had formed the NATO-oriented Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the Soviet-occupied zone had become the Democratic Republic of Germany (East Germany). The division lasted until 1989 with the opening of the Berlin Wall (a symbolic reunification) and really until 1990 when West and East agreed to reunite as the Federal Republic of Germany. Tensions between East and West are still present in the New Germany, but there is also a great deal of enthusiasm about Germany's resurgence both as a nation and as a world power. This is perhaps best summed up by the construction boom that's taken over Berlin in recent years and which seems nowhere near running its course just yet.

Though there are many places in Germany that the Monkey wants to get to, the German public can count on Der Affe making an appearance at the Reichstag in Berlin quite soon indeed.
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The Monkey takes in the fairytale beauty of Monschau, in the North Rheinland-Westphalia.
German fans of der Affe may also be interested in the photos from his visit to the Saxon areas of Romania.
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