A republic in central Europe; a federal parliamentary republic
of sixteen states (Bundesländer). The capital and largest city
is Berlin. Germany is a member of the United Nations, NATO, the
G8, the G4 nations, and signed the Kyoto protocol. It is the
world's third largest economy by nominal GDP, the largest
exporter of goods, ranked sixth in military expenditure, and is
home to the third-highest number of international migrants.
Germany has developed a high standard of living and established
a comprehensive system of social security. It holds a key
position in European affairs and is recognized as a scientific
and technological leader in several fields; split into East
German and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990.