Germany is the land of Oktoberfest, the Autobahn and 600 kinds of bread, and it also has the largest economy in Europe. Here are 15 things you might not know about Germany, rechecked in October 2026.
| Topic | Key figure |
|---|---|
| Oktoberfest visitors (2023) | 7.2 million |
| Berlin population | 3.7 million |
| UNESCO sites | 55 (2025) |
| Bread types | About 600 |
| Sausage varieties | Almost 1,500 |
Germany has a rich culture, many places to visit and a long record of contributions to the automobile industry. Oh, and gummy bears. We dropped the dated statistics and the claims we could not verify from the original list, and kept what holds up.
15 things you didn’t know about Germany
1. Oktoberfest starts in September
Held in Munich on the Theresienwiese, the festival runs from mid-September to the first Sunday in October. The opening was moved into late September to take advantage of warmer evenings.
2. It is the world’s largest folk festival
Oktoberfest draws around seven million visitors a year. Attendance reached a record 7.2 million in 2023, and visitors drank about 7.4 million litres of beer.
3. Fanta was born in Germany
It was created by Coca-Cola Deutschland under Max Keith when a trade embargo cut off the supply of Coca-Cola ingredients. It sold three million cases by 1943, and today it comes in over 200 flavours worldwide.
4. Gummy bears come from Bonn
Haribo takes its name from Hans Riegel Bonn. The company was registered in the commercial register on 13 December 1920 and is credited with the first gummy bears.
5. Berlin has the most people of any EU city
With 3.7 million inhabitants, Berlin has the highest population within its city limits of any city in the European Union. It is also one of the states of Germany.
6. Germany’s oldest zoo is in Berlin
The Berlin Zoological Garden opened on 1 August 1844 and is the oldest surviving and best-known zoo in Germany. It covers 35 hectares, holds about 1,380 species and is the most visited zoo in Europe.
7. The Christmas tree tradition has German roots
Decorated trees brought indoors by Protestant Christians in Germany and Livonia developed into the modern Christmas tree, a custom linked to the 16th century.
8. Berlin is building a house of prayer for three religions
The House of One at Petriplatz will contain a church, a mosque and a synagogue. Locals have nicknamed it a “churmosqagogue”.
9. Escaping from prison is not a crime in itself
The law in Germany holds that it is human nature to want to escape. Escapees who do not break any other law are not charged and receive no extra time.
10. The Autobahn has no general speed limit
Much of the motorway network has no federally mandated speed limit for some classes of vehicles. An advisory speed of 130 kilometres per hour applies, and in 2015, 70.4% of the network had only that advisory limit.
11. The modern printing press is German
Johannes Gutenberg, a goldsmith from Germany, is credited with inventing the printing press around 1440, and its spread revolutionised literary production and communication.
12. Germany has 55 UNESCO World Heritage sites
As of 2025, UNESCO had inscribed 55 properties in Germany on the World Heritage List.
13. There are about 600 types of bread
German bakeries produce about 600 main types of bread and 1,200 types of pastries and rolls.
14. Sausages come in almost 1,500 varieties
Germans produce their ubiquitous sausages in almost 1,500 varieties.
15. Germany has the largest economy in Europe
It ranks first in Europe by nominal GDP and is the world’s third-largest exporter and third-largest importer.
Watch on Alux
Keep reading
- The richest people in Germany: the fortunes behind the German economy.
FAQ
When does Oktoberfest start?
It starts in mid-September in Munich and runs to the first Sunday in October.
Where does Fanta come from?
Fanta was created in Germany by Coca-Cola Deutschland when a trade embargo disrupted the supply of Coca-Cola ingredients.
Is there a speed limit on the Autobahn?
Much of it has no general speed limit for some classes of vehicles, with an advisory speed of 130 km/h.
What is the oldest zoo in Germany?
The Berlin Zoological Garden, opened on 1 August 1844.
How many UNESCO World Heritage sites does Germany have?
As of 2025, UNESCO had inscribed 55 properties in Germany.
Last updated: October 2026.
