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about germany
Germany: Europe's largest economy and biggest exporter worldwide
Germany's economy is the largest one in Europe and is, after the United States and Japan, the third biggest economy of the world. In 2006, Germany gained a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $2.585 trillion euros which represents a sum of $31,400 per capita. After several years of economic stagnation, Germany's GDP last year denoted an economic growth of 2.7%. For the current year, Germany's economy is likely to continue growing another 2 to 3%.
The main causes of the former economic stagnation were high interest rates, commercial reorganization, decreased consumption domestically and cut-backs in governmental investment in infrastructure. All these reasons can essentially be traced back to the high costs of reunification and incorporation of the under-performing East into the economy of the West. Although Eastern Germany continues draining Germany's household, Germany's strong economy is a vital part of the world's economic structure. With an export volume in 2006 of nearly a billion dollars and with a trade surplus of over $200 billion, Germany is the world's largest exporter by volume. The major trading partners of "the export world champion" are France, the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Belgium and China.
Main German industries
The service sector represents 70% of Germany's economy, while industry makes up the residual percentage of Europe's leading economy. In terms of heavy industry Germany is a world leader. It is a main producer of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages, shipbuilding and textiles. Germany is also becoming to be very successful with sustainable energy: It has already become the world's largest generator of electricity from wind power.
Economic centres in Germany
The most important economic centres in Germany is the so-called Ruhrgebiet in the federal state Nordrhein-Wesffalen, which is currently turning into one of the most modern high-tech and service sector. This German federal state is Germany's most populous and populated area, called Germany's economic powerhouse, contributing 22% of the annual GDP. Its largest cities are Cologne, Dortmund, Essen, Düsseldorf and Duisburg. Furthermore, other important German cities are the metropolitan areas Munich and Stuttgard (high tech, car), Frankfurt am Main (finance), Cologne, Hamburg (harbour, Airbus, media) and Leipzig.
Berlin - major European centre of European politics, media and science
Berlin is more a major center in European politics, culture, media, and science than in economy. It serves as a continental hub for air and rail transport. The city's economy is primarily based on the service sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, media corporations, environmental services, congress and convention venues. Berlin is the third most-visited tourist destination in the EU. Other industries include traffic engineering, optoelectronics, IT, vehicle manufacturing, health care, biomedical engineering, and biotechnology.
Germany's biggest companies
German-based multinationals such as DaimlerChrysler, Siemens, Porsche, Luft¬hansa and SAP enjoy internationally an excellent reputation. They stand for an excellent internationally known trademark "Made in Germany". Germany's companies stand for innovation, quality and technical prominence. The third largest national economy doesn't only consist of "global players", but also of various small business´. They built on excellent economic basic conditions in the "country of ideas" and the outstanding qualification of its people.
