As in most other large economic nations， Germany，s industrial sector has declined in favour of the service sector. Germany is among the world，s largest and most technologicallytechnologically adv.科技地 advanced producers of iron， steel， cement， chemicals， machinery， motor vehicles， machine tools and electronics， as well as a world leader in the shipbuilding industry. Major car manufacturersmanufacturer n.制造业者， 厂商 like BMW， DaimlerChrysler， Porsche and Volkswagen， and huge international corporations like Siemens AG rank among the world，s largest firms.
Service Sector
The service sector has grown steadily in recent years and now contributes the largest share of GDP. This sector includes tourism. As of 2004， the largest numbers of foreign visitors to Germany came from the Netherlands， followed by the United States and the United Kingdom. Germany also has a large and often underratedunderrate vt.低估， 看轻 presence in the banking world， lead by Deutsche Bank and the Allianz Group.
Natural Resources
Germany is lacking in natural raw materials， if one disregards the hard coal deposits in the Ruhr area， in the Aachen district and in the Saarland， where mining is profitableprofitable adj.有利可图的 only thanks to state subsidies. Brown coal from mines in the Leipziger Bucht and the Niederlausitz is still the major energy source in the eastern Bundeslnder， while mineral oil enjoys this position in the western “Lnder”. The current redGreen coalition government is pursuing a longterm strategy of phasing out nuclear power in favour of renewable sources of energy.
Germany is a good choice for a visit in this country. If you are a newcomernewcomer n.新来者， 新到的移民 to the area or haven，t visited for a while， the information provided on this and related pages will prove invaluable in assisting you to make your holiday or business venture here， as simple as a stroll down your local street back home.
Through the turmoil of the 20th century， Germany has emerged as a powerful， confident nation and， with the memory of the wall that divided Berlin into east and west still fresh in the national consciousnessconsciousness n.意识， 知觉， 自觉， 觉悟， 个人思想， continues to be the driving force towards greater European integration.
The German people enjoy a reputation for accuracy， precision and efficiency， although an equally enduring image is of lederhosenclad Bavarians hoisting beer steins at Munich，s famous Oktoberfest. Neither of these stereotypesstereotype n.［印］铅版， 陈腔滥调， 老套 vt.使用铅版， 套用老套， 使一成不变 reflects the diversity of Germany，s towns and cities. From romantic Heidelberg， the medieval Nuremberg of Dürer and the Weimar of Goethe and the Bauhaus， to the lively port cities of Bremen and Hamburg， the financial centre of Frankfurt and revitalised cities of the former east like Dresden. Overshadowing them all is the cosmopolitan decadence of Berlin， where bureaucrats of the new capital rub shoulders withrub shoulders with 和……接触 并肩 协力 artists and clubgoers.
The German landscape is similarly varied. In the south， the Alps attract skilovers in winter and hiking enthusiasts in summer， who come to explore the scenic lakes and atmospheric castles and the Black Forest. Water sports are a popular summer pastime， and in the north， the island of Rugen with its majestic white cliffs and coastal towns like Wilhelmshaven offer terrific facilities for adventures on the North Sea.
Unsurprisingly for a country whose land has so often been at history，s crux， the moods and preoccupationspreoccupation n.当务之急 of Germany，s people are reflected in a rich artistic heritage， its influential philosophers， great physicists， classical composers and contemporary music. The scope of German art is such that it could be the focus of an entire visit.
Despite their penchant for continual improvement and modernisation， upholding cultural traditions is dear to the German heart. Many hunters still wear green， master chimney sweeps get around in pitchblack suits and top hats， some Bavarian women don the Dirndl (skirt and blouse)， while the men occasionally find suitable occasions to wear the typical Bavarian Lederhosen (leather shorts)， a Loden (short jacket) and felt hat. In everyday life， Germans are fairly formal， although more so in the Protestantdominated north than the beerswilling south. We discuss German etiquetteetiquette n.礼节 in more depth on our Tips page.
Although it has plenty of fairytale sights and picturesque scenery that is reminiscent of medieval times， Germany is without a doubt a postindustrial， multicultural country with all the inherent advantages and conflicts. Come discover it more via these pages before you visit and feel at home， before you arrive.