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Germany
Let's explore one of the world's most fascinating countries — packed with surprises, stories, and pen pal potential.
The Basics
3 Things That Will Blow Your Mind
Genuinely. You'll want to tell someone immediately.
Germany has over 20,000 castles
More than any other country in the world. Many are crumbling in forests, completely unknown to tourists. The famous fairy-tale Neuschwanstein castle — the one Disney based Cinderella's castle on — is just one of thousands.
The printing press was invented in Germany
Johannes Gutenberg invented the movable-type printing press in Mainz around 1440. The first major book he printed was the Bible. Before this, every book in Europe was copied by hand by monks. The printing press changed everything.
Gummy bears are German — and the name is a code
Gummy bears were invented in Germany in 1922 by Hans Riegel. His company's name, HARIBO, is built from the first two letters of his first name, his surname, and his hometown: HAns RIegel BOnn.
Famous For
Castles
Germany has more castles than anywhere else on Earth — many perched dramatically on hilltops above rivers. Neuschwanstein, built for a dreamy 19th-century king, directly inspired Disney's iconic castle.
Cars
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi — five of the world's most famous car brands, all German. The car itself was invented in Germany by Karl Benz in 1885.
Christmas Markets
Germany invented the Christmas market tradition, and German markets are still considered the best in the world. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt has been running since the 1600s.
Bread & Food
Germany has over 300 officially recognised types of bread — more than any other country. German bakers are intensely proud of this. The pretzel, currywurst, and Black Forest cake all come from here.
Did You Know?
Germany invented the MP3 file format — the thing that changed how the entire world listens to music. It was developed by engineers at the Fraunhofer Society in Erlangen in the late 1980s. Every song you've ever downloaded owes something to Germany.
Pen Pal Connection
A child in Germany might write to you about a weekend visiting a castle, the Christmas market in their town (which they will insist is the best one), a very strong opinion on bread, or why German school starts early, finishes at lunchtime, and somehow still produces excellent results.