What are 20 fun facts about Germany?

Germany is a country of castles and inventions, with a rich culture that includes thousands of types of bread and the tradition of the Christmas tree.

Here are 20 fun facts about Germany:

Over 20,000 Castles: The country is home to more than 20,000 castles, including the famous Neuschwanstein Castle, which was the inspiration for Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle.
Gummy Bear Invention: The popular gummy bear candy was invented in Bonn, Germany, by Hans Riegel, the founder of Haribo.
No Speed Limit Highways: Around 65% of Germany’s famous highway network, the Autobahn, has no speed limit. However, it is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn.
Berlin Has More Bridges Than Venice: Germany’s capital, Berlin, has more bridges than Venice, with estimates at over 1,700.
Christmas Tree Tradition: The tradition of bringing a decorated evergreen tree into the home for Christmas originated in Germany in the 16th century.
World’s Narrowest Street: The world’s narrowest street, Spreuerhofstraße, is located in the city of Reutlingen and measures just 31 centimeters (about one foot) at its tightest point.
Beer is a Food in Bavaria: In the state of Bavaria, beer is legally considered a food staple. Germany has over 1,500 types of beer.
First Country to Use Daylight Saving Time: Germany was the first country in the world to implement Daylight Saving Time (DST) in 1916 to conserve energy during World War I.
Home to the Most Zoos: Germany has more zoos than any other country in the world, with over 400. Berlin’s Zoologischer Garten is the oldest in Germany and boasts the largest variety of species in the world.
Invention of Fanta: The orange-flavored soft drink Fanta was created in Germany during World War II due to a shortage of Coca-Cola syrup.
Abundant Forests: One-third of Germany is covered in forests and woodlands.
Sausage Variety There are over 1,500 different types of sausages in Germany, and more than 800 million currywurst sausages are consumed annually.
Birthplace of Major Inventions: Germany is the birthplace of many significant inventions, including the printing press, the automobile, aspirin, and the MP3 format.
High Recycling Rate: Germans are known for their high recycling rate, which is one of the best in the world.
First Day of School Cone: A unique tradition involves children receiving a large decorated cone, called a Schultüte, filled with toys and sweets on their first day of school.
Berlin’s Central Station: Berlin Hauptbahnhof is the largest train station in Europe.
Bread Diversity: German bread culture is so significant that it is recognized by UNESCO. There are over 3,200 officially documented types of bread.
Free University Tuition: Public universities in Germany generally do not charge tuition fees, even for international students.
Dancing Ban: On certain “silent” public holidays, like Good Friday, dancing in public is forbidden by law in most German states.
Magazine Invention: The world’s first-ever magazine, titled “Erbauliche Monaths Unterredungen” (Edifying Monthly Discussions), was launched in Germany in 1663.