• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Geography, Weather, & Wildlife of Germany

Geography

German Geography - Black Forest
Black Forest

Germany is located in Europe, arguably in either Western Europe or Central Europe. It is a large country (relative to its European neighbors) and stretches from the North Sea and Baltic Sea in the north to the Alps in the south. Germany borders the Netherlands (west), Belgium (west), Luxembourg (west), France (west), Switzerland (south), Austria (south), the Czech Republic (east), Poland (east), and Denmark (north).

Geographically, Germany is very diverse as the northern stretch of the country is low-lying and a number of large rivers run through this part of the country including the Elbe River, Rhine River, and Rhone River. About half way to the country's south the mountains begin to rise as these rivers flow in the lowland valleys. The far south is covered with the rise to the Alps as some areas are fairly mountainous, while others are simply at elevation or are slightly lower due to rivers, such as the Danube River, flowing through. This abundance of rivers creates fertile growing conditions and a high population density throughout much of the country.

Weather

German Geography - Helgoland
Helgoland

Germany's seasons are typically very distinct, but due to geographical variations and inconsistent weather patterns, predicting the weather across the entire country is like flipping a coin, particularly given the country's size. Winters (December-February) can be cold as the mountains are covered in snow; near the Swiss border temperatures can dip to 0˚ F (-20˚ C) and average about 20-25˚ F (-5˚ C) during these months, depending on the exact location. Whereas, along the North Sea coast, the temperatures can be significantly warmer and some winters will rarely dip below freezing.

The spring and fall (autumn) are very unpredictable. The mountains can remain very cold, but cities like Munich, Berlin, and Cologne can be cloudy and/or rainy with temperature averages of about 50-60˚ F (10-15˚ C).

Summers are more consistent from a weather perspective. During the hottest months (July-August) the mountains average about 60˚ F (16˚ C), while most cities typically reach daily highs of about 73-80˚ F (23-27˚ C).

Wildlife

German Wildlife - Wild boar
Wild boar

Germany is a fairly large and geographically diverse country, resulting in a wide range of animal species. Deer and rabbit are common throughout the country, while the ibex and boar, among others, are more restricted in their habitats. Large predatory mammals, like the bear, wolf, and lynx have become extinct in the country, although some of these are attempting to make their way back into the region. Sea life is also prevalent as there are numerous large rivers and in the north sits both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.

There are a huge number of bird species as well. Ducks, geese, storks, and other water fowl migrate to Germany during the summer and other species, like the quail and pheasant remain year round. One of the reasons these birds are attracted to Germany is the abundant amphibian and reptile populations in the country's marshlands and along the coasts

This page was last updated: March, 2013