Germany- The Land
Germany is a small country compared to Canada, about half the size of Manitoba. For the most part, the weather is comparable to, but significantly milder than our own, with four distinct seasons. The south is generally more pleasant in climate than the north. The north of Germany is basically a flat plain, with southern Germany breaking into rolling hills and a few mountains in the very south. Once upon a time, most of the country was covered in vast forests, but only a few remnants of that original forest remain today. Germany's many rivers are vitally important for transportation and trade, with the Rhine in the west, the Elbe in the east and the Danube in the south being the most important rivers.
Compared to Canada, Germany has very few natural resources, having used up most of them over 150 years of industrial development. Most of the historic mining activities are no longer economically sustainable, either due to lack of materials or their being too expensive to extract, and only coal remains in large quantities. While most of Germany is suitable for some form of agriculture and farming in Germany is highly sophisticated, there simply is not enough space to feed everyone and Germany must rely on imports.
Compared to Canada, Germany has very few natural resources, having used up most of them over 150 years of industrial development. Most of the historic mining activities are no longer economically sustainable, either due to lack of materials or their being too expensive to extract, and only coal remains in large quantities. While most of Germany is suitable for some form of agriculture and farming in Germany is highly sophisticated, there simply is not enough space to feed everyone and Germany must rely on imports.
Sources and Links
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Europe/Germany.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Germany
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Germany
Ideas for Further Inquiry
1.) How has industrial development affected the landscape in Germany? How are Germans trying to cope with it?
2.) How does the landscape determine settlement in Germany?
3.) Compare and contrast developments in Germany with those in Canada.
2.) How does the landscape determine settlement in Germany?
3.) Compare and contrast developments in Germany with those in Canada.