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Topic 1: Germany’s Changing Position in Europe and the World
 | Focus Question #3 |
- What is the population density and distribution of Germany?
- What is the role of cultural diversity in Germany?
- How are the unification of Germany and the new wave of immigration changing the population of Germany?
- How might economic opportunities that are available in Germany benefit immigrants from diverse cultures?
- What are the opportunities/challenges of the changes in the population of Germany?
Alignment to National Standards
Background Information
Germany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. The greatest density of population is in the Ruhr region where about 3,100 people live per square mile. This compares to an average of 595 people per square mile for Germany as a whole. An examination of the population is important to the study of a country because of the political and economic implications of factors such as population density and distribution. For example, population growth and age distribution are important to a country’s need for human capital and support of welfare programs such as health care and social security.
Germany’s unique location in the center of Europe and the size of its land area offer its citizens a much broader range of intercultural contacts than the ones routinely experienced by most residents of the United States. Within Germany, its regions add other layers of diversity with its state capitals, historic towns, and cultural centers. These factors of location and diversity are then reflected in the cultural and recreational activities in Germany. Thus, the citizens of Germany experience more cultural diversity than do the citizens of the United States or citizens of many other European countries.
In recent years, the unification of East and West Germany and the influx of immigrants have changed the cultural diversity of Germany. This changing cultural diversity has additional political and economic impacts on Germany at the beginning of the 21st century.
Essential Content
Note: The following words/concepts are essential to an understanding of this lesson. Put the words on your Word Wall and use them in context as you teach the lesson.
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