GERMANY-Famous People and Fun Facts

                                                                          

There are many people of German heritage who have shaped the history of our world. Some are known for atrocious acts of terror, but most for their wonderful contributions in many areas including Chemistry, Philosophy, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Composition, Sports, Songwriting and Invention. Here are some famous people who Germany can be very proud to call their own:

Albert Einstein-Physicist-developed Theory of Relativity

Anne Frank-Journalist-Holocaust Victim

Nicolas Copernicus-Mathematician/Astronomer-Identified Concept of Heliocentric Solar System

Ludwig Van Beethoven-Composer, Pianist

 

Mendelssohn-Songwriter, Conductor, Pianist

Karl Marx-Historian, Economist, Journalist

Angela Merkel-First Female Chancellor of Germany

Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen-Physicist, Credited with Discovery of X-Rays

 John Augustus Roebling-Engineer, Pioneer in Design of Steel Suspension Bridges-Best known work was the Brooklyn Bridge

Frederick Nietzsche-Philosopher, Scholar-Known for writings on Good and Evil

 

Mesut Ozil-Soccer Player(Midfielder)

                                                             

 

Fun Facts:

-      Germans can be credited with the discovery of Insulin, Petrol/Gasoline and Diesel Engines, The automobile (as well as the engine and differential gear), the light bulb, the pocket watch, the automated calculator, x-rays, the motorcycle, jet engine, Walkman, and LCD screen.

-     Some of the world’s greatest philosophers were German: Nietzsche, Kant, Hegel, and Schopenhauer.

-     Some of the world’s greatest musicians and composers were German: Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Strauss.

-     There are 1,300 Beer breweries in Germany making over 5,000 different kinds of beer. Germans are the World’s Second largest beer drinkers after the Czechs.

-     Germany is one of the last western European Countries to ban smoking in work places and restaurants. One of the political reasons is the Nazi’s officially frowned upon Smoking and post war German Legislators have been afraid of imitating Nazi regulations.  

-     Germans have been early pioneers of the Ecological Movement and Green politics.

-    In 2005, Germany produced over 35% of the World’s Wind Energy. There are 22,000 Wind turbines off the coast of Northern Germany.

-    Germany in known for avid recycling. They were ranked #3 by the BBC with a rate of 48% waste recycled, behind Switzerland and Austria.

-   Since 2003, Germany is the World’s Largest Exporter of Goods with $1.16 Trillion exported in 2005.

-Germany has over 700 Zoological Gardens, Wildlife Parks, Aquariums, Bird Parks, Safari Parks, including 440 Registered Zoos (More than the USA).

-Germany boasts a 99% Literacy rate in reading and writing. 

                                            

Sources:   http://www.eupedia.com/germany/trivia.html, http://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com/germany-facts,  http://www.biography.com/people/groups/german