Ten interesting facts about Germany you probably didn't know until now

(Patria) - Germany is the most populous country in Europe, if we exclude Russia and Turkey, which are largely spread across the Asian continent.

However, Germany is definitely the first among European Union countries with over 83 million inhabitants.

It is the largest European economy, and also well-known for its successful athletes, cars, and more.

In general, you probably already know a lot about Germany, and in the following text, you can read ten interesting facts that you might not have known until now.

Neuschwanstein

The 19th-century Neuschwanstein Castle is located on a hill near the charming town of Füssen in Bavaria.

King Ludwig II commissioned the palace in honor of the German composer Richard Wagner, and the final result was incredible.

In fact, this castle was used as the basis for Walt Disney's famous "Sleeping Beauty" castle in Disneyland, which we can see at the beginning of every Disney movie today.

Beer

Germany is known for producing some of the world's best beers, and this drink is a key part of German culture.

According to numerous studies, Germany is the third country in the world in terms of beer consumption per capita, after the Czech Republic and Austria.

Also, the world's most famous beer festival, "Oktoberfest," has been held in Munich every September for over a century, reports Punkufer.hr.

Railways

One of the things perfected in this country is certainly the railways.

They have over 41,000 kilometers of tracks, so you can travel almost the entire country by train.

And yes, it is perfectly normal for these trains to almost always arrive on time; delays are a real rarity.

Highways

Germany has excellent roads stretching for thousands of kilometers. They are all over the country and total over 13,000 kilometers.

Construction began in the 1930s, and today there are sections of the highway with no speed limit.

However, there are also those with speed limits and, of course, strict penalties for violating them.

Sausages

Sausages (German "wurst") are a significant part of German cuisine, and Germans are among the largest producers and consumers of this meat delicacy.

Whether it's blutwurst, weisswurst, or frankfurters, there are over 1,500 different types of sausages in Germany.

Sausages in Germany are usually served in one of three ways: boiled, raw, or smoked.

Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny was first mentioned in books in Germany in the 15th century. Germany also produced the first edible Easter Bunny, made from pastry and sugar, in the early 1800s.

At that time, children began making small nests of grass so that the Easter Bunny could fill them with brightly colored eggs overnight.

Land of Castles

In addition to the aforementioned Neuschwanstein Castle, it is believed that there are over 25,000 castles in Germany, many of which were built by European nobility in the Middle Ages.

This figure also includes palaces, which were designed with a focus on decoration, while castles were built for defense – but both can be quite magnificent.

Sanssouci Palace, Schwerin Castle, and Cochem Castle are some of the most famous.

Müller

The most common surname in Germany is Müller, with over 900,000 residents bearing it.

Other common and popular surnames include Schmidt, Schneider, Fischer, Weber, Wagner, Becker…

As for first names, the most common male names are Alex, Lukas, and Michael, and the female names are Lea, Julia, and Laura.

Escape from Prison

In Germany, it is considered a basic human instinct to do everything you can to be free.

Therefore, if an inmate attempts to escape from prison, they will not receive an additional penalty for the act itself.

However, if they damage any property, injure anyone, or commit any other crime while attempting to escape, they will be charged with those crimes.

Forests

Germany is covered by forests on over 11.4 million hectares. This accounts for approximately 32 percent of German territory.

If you are a nature lover and enjoy spending time outdoors, don't miss a trip to Germany.

There is a vast expanse of beautiful forests to visit, offering countless opportunities for a camping experience unlike any you can have at home.