Germany has been united for no longer than 120 years, a baby compared to its European neighbors. It is not an integrated country; instead it is made up of many diverse communities called Lander. Germany is well known for having been separated into East and West Germany, but the country has been split from north to south for many more years. The south is very much a part of central Europe with it sloping hills and picturesque scenery, while the north is made up of windy plains and suffers through harsh winters. The people from the north are Protestant, stolid, reserved and sophisticated while those from the south tend to be jovial and catholic. The distinct differences between the German people have led to many stereotypical jokes.

Until unification in 1866 Germany was made up of some thirty kingdoms, duchies and free cities. The communities ranged from tiny fiefs to the empires of Prussia and Bavaria and they survived until the Weimar Republic instituted a kind of federal system in 1919. Today there are 16 Lander, and each one is in charge of education, culture, justice and even some aspects o

i" cabs from the east and crime, traffic and rent had all increased.

f economic policy. The Lander work along with the federal government (Bund) in a harmonious way that the Scots would envy. The Bavarians do not want to separate themselves from the Federal Republic because they realize the benefits of staying united. The Bund has increased its power over the Lander in the past thirty years; in fact the constitution has been amended 34 times in favor of the Bund. These amendments have helped to end fighting between the Lander by standardizing many things such as civil servant salaries.

Even though Berlin had many problems, now that it was unified it wished to regain its position as the country's capital. Of course the capital was at Bonn and moving it would not be easy. What made Berlin's bid for capital even more difficult was the fact that major money had just been spent to build up the government facilities in Bonn. The United Treaty had declared Berlin the capital but that was only in name because the government still resided in Bonn. So the two cities campaigned and touted the benefits of housing the government in their city while pointing out the drawb

Some common words found in the essay are:
West Berlin, West Germany, United Treaty, Federal Republic, Lander Germany, Weimar Republic, Victory Bonn, Unlike European, East Germans, Berlin Germans, west berlin, lander germany, european neighbors, largest cities, capital bonn,
Approximate Word count = 793
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)