Germany is situated in the heart of Europe. 82 million people live there, including 7.3 million foreigners. Nearly a third of Germany's population live in the 82 cities of more than 100000 inhabitants.
A lively mulrticultural scene thrives in the population centres. The German landscape is fascinating. The north has island chains and moors, while dense mixed forests and medieval castles line the river valleys in the central Germany. Even the industrial landscape of the Ruhr is dappled with open green spaces. The Alps with their crystal clear mountain lakes rise majestically in the south.