Germany: Flag and Facts
Germany's flag has three equal horizontal stripes: black on top, red in the middle, and gold at the bottom.
- Official name
- Federal Republic of Germany
- Capital
- Berlin
- Region
- Western Europe
- Population
- 84 million (2025)
- Languages
- German
- Currency
- Euro
- Area
- 357,114 km² (137,882 sq mi)
- People
- German
- Calling code
- +49
- Highest point
- Zugspitze 2,963 m
- Independence
- 18 January 1871 (establishment of the German Empire)
- National symbols
- eagle
- Borders
- Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland
About Germany
Those colors come from an old medieval banner that belonged to the Holy Roman Emperor, which showed a black eagle with a red beak and claws on a gold field. The eagle remains the national symbol.
The German Empire was founded on 18 January 1871. After World War II, the UK, US, USSR and France split the country into four zones in 1945. Two states emerged in 1949: West Germany in May and East Germany in October. They reunited on 3 October 1990, now celebrated as German Unity Day. Older milestones include the crowning of Otto I, the first Holy Roman Emperor, in 962. The land climbs from lowlands in the north to central uplands and the Bavarian Alps in the south.
Did you know?
- Zugspitze, the highest point in Germany, reaches 2,963 meters.
- Neuendorf bei Wilster sits 3.5 meters below sea level.
- Berlin, the capital, has about 3.574 million residents.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Germany
How many people live in Germany?
About 84 million, based on a 2025 figure.
What is the German national anthem called?
Lied der Deutschen, meaning Song of the Germans.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.