Germans

Germans are a nation and an ethnolinguistic group native to Central Europe. The primary language is German, a West Germanic language with many dialects; Standard German is used in education, media, and government. German identity is formed through language, culture, history, and citizenship, with ethnicity commonly linked to ancestry in German-speaking regions.

Most Germans live in Germany, with substantial populations in Austria and Switzerland, and smaller communities in Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Belgium. The German diaspora is widespread, including large communities in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and parts of Europe. Germany is a federal parliamentary republic and a leading member of the European Union.

Germanic-speaking communities emerged in Central Europe in antiquity. The Holy Roman Empire (962–1806) was a loose confederation of German-speaking states. In 1871, the German Empire unified most German-speaking territories. After World War II, Germany was divided into East and West, and reunified in 1990. Since reunification, Germany has been a federal republic with a strong economy and significant influence in European politics and security affairs.

Culturally, Germans have contributed to philosophy, music, literature, science, and technology. The country remains notable for its engineering and manufacturing sectors, research institutions, and a diversified society shaped by immigration and pluralism, under a constitutional framework that protects civil rights and the rule of law.