Germany, in central Europe, has stunning mountains, wild forests and a world famous beer festival, fairytales and the castles to match them. Read on to find out more about this vibrant country in the heart of Europe.
地處中歐的德國擁有絕色山景、原始森林、舉世聞名的啤酒節，與童話與城堡。讓我們一同來探索位居歐洲心臟的這個活躍國家。
A closer look 說古論今
to Munich every September to join in the Oktoberfest. Traditional food such as sausage, schnitzel and over 1,500 different kinds of locally brewed beer are on offer in biergartens.
Despite a historically heavy diet, Germans are very active. Nearly half the population are registered with a sports club or undertake independent sporting activities.
Germany has 15 national parks, 93 nature parks and 14 biosphere reserves. This reflects a general embrace of outdoor activity as well as environmental awareness in Germany. Their efficient recycling, choice of green power providers in homes, and strict building regulations mean that Germany is a leader in energy conservation.
PHOTO: AFP
Germany's cultural heritage is remarkable — composers Beethoven, Bach, Brahms, and Mozart, the founding fathers of modern physics Albert Einstein and Max Planck, and the inventor of the X-ray all hailed from Germany. Many children the world over continue to enjoy the Brothers Grimm Fairytales, while adults enjoy Brecht's plays. There are over 6,000 museums across Germany.
Germany has snow capped mountains, beautiful forests, wide rivers, wild bears, picturesque towns and thriving cities. Christmas is a favorite time of year to go to the traditional markets in the towns and cities. Many European and American Christmas traditions have their roots in Germany. Germany is an increasingly multicultural society due to immigration. Their hosting of the World Cup last year showcased their laissez-faire and welcoming nature to tourists from all over the world. (catherine thomas,staff writer)
每年九月，世界各地的人都會湧入慕尼黑參加啤酒節。香腸、炸牛肉片與一千五百多種德釀啤酒等傳統美食都在啤酒園供人大快朵頤。
雖然擁有歷史悠久的豐富飲食，德國人卻非常活躍。近半數的德國人是運動俱樂部會員，或自行參加體育活動。
德國有十五座國家公園、九十三座自然公園與十四座生物保護區。這反映出德國人普遍喜愛戶外活動，也具有環保意識。德國家庭資源回收成效大，以綠色能源發電，再加上嚴格的建築法規，都意味德國是節省能源的先驅。
德國的文化遺產相當可觀︰作曲家貝多芬、巴哈、布拉姆斯、莫札特，還有現代物理學家之父愛因斯坦與卜朗克，X光的發明者也是德國人。全世界的孩童仍喜愛閱讀格林童話，成年人則讀布萊希特的劇本。全德國有六千多座博物館。
德國擁有白雪皚皚的高山，美麗森林、寬廣湖泊、野熊、如詩如畫的城鎮與繁華的城市。耶誕節是一年之中，人們最喜歡到城鎮傳統市場逛逛的日子。歐洲與美國的諸多耶誕傳統正起源於德國。由於移民的緣故，德國社會愈來愈趨多元文化。德國去年主辦世足賽時展現了他們的自由放任主義，與熱情接待全球旅客的性情。
（翻譯：賴美君）
WHO KNEW? 你知道嗎?
Germany has long had a progressive social security system that benefits parents. Fathers are encouraged to take up to two months paternity leave when their child is born. However, this year the government has gone one step further. A parent who takes a career break to raise their child will get 67 percent of their last net income — up to 1,800 Euros (NT$76,773 per month) — tax free for up to 14 months. The government is hoping to encourage the idea that it is natural for fathers to be fully involved in the raising of their children and also reverse Germany's declining birthrate. Parents also have the legal right to take up to three years leave from their job to raise their children. Every child is entitled to optional, free kindergarten from three to six years old.
德國造福雙親的進步社會安全系統歷史悠久。小孩出世後，政府鼓勵父親休兩個月的育嬰假。然而，今年德國政府又向前邁進了一大步。父母一方若請假照顧小孩，可領到原本收入淨值的67%，每月上限為一千八百歐元（約新台幣七萬六千七百三十三元），而且免稅，最多領十四個月。德國政府希望推廣父親竭力養育小孩是極為自然的觀念，也期盼能扭轉德國每況愈下的出生率。法律也明定父母親享有最多三年的留職停薪來養育小孩的權利。三到六歲的小孩都享有免費的非強制幼稚園教育之權利。
A LOOK AT CONTEXT 思前想後猜字義
1. I plan to watch the football game in the Biergarten with my friends. I love the local beer, picnic benches and the fresh air.
A biergarten is ....
a. a smoky indoor bar.
b. a formal dining area.
c. an outdoor area for drinking beer.
d. a room in a museum.
2. Wind energy and solar power are examples of green energy.
If an energy source is green it is ...
a. environmentally damaging.
b. very expensive.
c. environmentally friendly.
d. None of the above.
3. With its traditional wooden buildings, winding stream and backdrop of snowcapped mountains, the village was certainly picturesque.
If something is picturesque it is ...
a. quite ugly.
b. pretty enough to be on a postcard.
c. gray and uninteresting.
d. uninviting and creepy.
4. Her style of teaching is very laissez-faire, so the students who are enthusiastic and independent do well.
If something is Laisse-faire it ...
a. adheres to a strict set of rules.
b. allows others to do as they please.
c. interferes with other people's choices.
d. judges people negatively on their lifestyle choices.
What Time Is It There?
Germany is seven hours behind Taiwan, so if it is 11am in Germany, it's 6pm in Taiwan.
德國比台灣晚七小時，所以假如德國現在是上午十一點，台灣就是晚上六點。
About Germany
Size: 357,021km2, or about ten times the size of Taiwan
Location: Central Europe
Borders: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland
Capital: Berlin
Population: About 82 million
Language: German
Government: Federal republic
Currency: Euro
面積︰三十五萬七千零二十一平方公里，約為台灣十倍
位置︰中歐
鄰國︰奧地利、比利時、捷克、丹麥、法國、盧森堡、荷蘭、波蘭、瑞士
首都︰柏林
人口︰約八千兩百萬人
語言︰德語
政體︰聯邦共和國
貨幣︰歐元
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