Note: When reading the booklet descriptions, please remember that these booklets are old (most are 65+ years old) and the information and history presented in them as factual may be inaccurate, outdated, and in some cases, offensive.
Booklet Introduction Description:
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 published 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 zine. 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.