Government

• Germany has a system of proportional representation, encouraging coalitions and cooperation. There are two houses, the Bundestag (U.S. House of Representatives equivalent) and Bundestag (Senate equivalent).
  
  

Religious Tax

• Germany charges a church tax on those who declare a religious affiliation. Roughly speaking, Germany's north and eastern areas are Protestant and the south and west are Catholic, with around 60 percent of the population registered Christian.
  
  

St. Nikolaus

• Mostly celebrated in Catholic Germany, on the evening before St. Nikolaus Day, children leave out their boots. On Dec. 6, they wake up to find their footwear full of gifts.
  
  

Christmas Markets

• Traditional Christmas markets are popular. Town squares are filled with booths selling roasted almonds, snacks such as potato cakes, and hand-crafted gifts. Usually there is music and a festive atmosphere.
  
  

Biergarten

• The famous Oktoberfest beer festival is in Munich, but beer is a beloved drink of all Germans. Many pubs and even individuals plant a "biergarten" with a shade tree.
  
  

Fasching

• Pronounced "fashing," this is the Carnival (Karneval) season. Typically, on the Monday before Lent (Rosenmontag) there are lavish processions and parties. Those on the float throw goodies to the crowds.