New ReviewOfficially, China is an atheist society, although freedom of worship is guaranteed under the Chinese constitution. Religious beliefs vary widely, which isn’t surprising in a country with 56 officially recognized national minorities....

New ReviewAccording to legends, the first ancient ruler, Fuxi, reigned in the thirty-fourth century BCE. Explore China's fascinating history, which is believed to have begun five thousand years ago, evolving through successive dynasties to modern...

New ReviewChina is one of the fastest growing economies, but what challenges is it facing? Think strong bureaucratic controls, environmental degradation, and socioeconomic disparities between rich cities and poor rural areas. Grasp the issues and...

New ReviewGermans rely very little on body language, although it is still an important part of communication. In general, they consider hand gestures unnecessary. They focus instead on communicating well verbally. Someone who expresses himself or...

New ReviewPunktlichkeit! Be on time! Being fashionably late is not appreciated in Germany. Business meetings start right on time and may be cancelled if you’re late by more than fifteen minutes. If you’re running behind, by all means, call ahead....

New ReviewMost of the holidays in Germany are religious in nature. Some states also have holidays that are unique to their region. Explore the most popular holiday, Christmas, which features celebrations that bring families together and many...

New ReviewContrary to the popular view, Germans have a great sense of humor. They love to laugh at themselves, and jokes about the slow Frisians, the thrifty Swabians, and the curious Berliners fill German theaters and cabarets. A good sense of...

New ReviewUnder the Grundgesetz (Basic Law), men and women in Germany are guaranteed equal rights. In reality, women and men don’t receive equal pay. In addition, only a handful of women make it to senior management positions. As in most other...

New ReviewEverything has its time and place—so the saying goes. In keeping with this expression, Germans expect a certain level of formality in public settings, while private gatherings tend to be far less formal. Germans are big on shaking hands....

New ReviewThe German view of the world has been shaped by the country’s complex, at times turbulent, history and by its position at the geographical heart of Europe. The very idea of a German nation was not even a real possibility until the...

New ReviewThe process of creating a unified Germany is on track but far from complete. After the initial euphoria wore off, the enormity of the task ahead set in. Improving the poor state of industry and the infrastructure in the former East...

New ReviewSince Germany has emerged as the economic powerhouse of Europe, the standard of living of the German people has improved enormously. Germany’s per capita income is among the top ten in the world. Signs of affluence are everywhere....

New ReviewGermany is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. In fact, in the Rhine-Ruhr Valley, there are no obvious boundaries between cities. It’s just a mass of urban sprawl. Explore commonalities among German cities, which tend...

New ReviewOnce a small fishing village on the Rhine, Dusseldorf has the second-largest stock exchange in Germany and has become the banking and commercial center for the industrial region of the Ruhr. Consequently, the city has attracted a sizable...

New ReviewThe free Hanseatic city of Hamburg is Germany’s second-largest city. Dating back to 811, the city has flourished as a center of trade and commerce. Today, it boasts one of the busiest ports in the world. Devastated by fire bombings in...

New ReviewOften described as the metropolis with the turbulent past, Berlin is by far the most exciting and cosmopolitan city in Germany. It’s the official capital and attracts a huge amount of investment. In addition, numerous corporate,...

New ReviewLocated in the heart of the former East German state, Leipzig was once one of the major industrial centers of Eastern Europe. Today, it is the quintessential example of a city that has undergone rapid economic recovery since Germany’s...

New ReviewRegarded as one of Germany's most traditional cities, Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is suffused with traditions, attitudes, and values foreigners usually associate with Germany. It is also one of Germany's most prosperous cities....

New ReviewKnown as Germany's Manhattan because of the numerous skyscrapers recently built there, Frankfurt is home to the continent’s financial capital. It's the headquarters of the European Central Bank as well as the location of Germany's major...

New ReviewGermany consists of sixteen states (or Länder), including three city-states—Berlin, Bremen, and Hamburg. Generally grouped by region, these states have distinct social and cultural heritages. Discover the country’s varied regions and...

New ReviewDon’t be intimidated when it comes to gift-giving and celebrating holidays in the workplace. You’ll undoubtedly encounter such situations, as birthdays are often recognized in the office in Germany. Learn more about the expectations of...

New ReviewGet an insider’s perspective on the German workforce. For instance, Germany has a very well-educated workforce, but there's a tendency to focus on narrow skill sets, which impacts businesses. In addition, the German workforce is clearly...

New ReviewIn France, what's left unsaid is often more eloquent than what is verbalized. Curious about how to read French body language and interpret gestures such as smiles or eye contact? Learn more about how the French subtly use body language...

New ReviewThe French tend to be motivated by a search for perfection and generally take pride in their work. Nevertheless, business and social relationships along with quality of life and well-being matter a great deal to the French, some of whom...