The best and strangest things in Germany

Baby naming laws, not running out of gas on the highway, and keeping windows closed for fear of disease are some interesting things about Germany.

The capital Berlin is a city of bridges with 1,700, more than Venice, Italy (409 bridges).

Germans believe that opening windows means bringing illnesses like colds or joint pain. Therefore, Germans often close their rooms instead of opening windows to let in the breeze.

The German government has its own laws on naming children. According to them, the baby’s name must clearly indicate the gender or it will be rejected. The process of re-applying for approval can be time-consuming, so many parents choose traditional names like Michael for boys and Maria or Sophie for girls.

Berlin - City of Bridges. Photo: Raileurope.

In Germany, disability benefits include a section for “sexual relations”. Therefore, prostitution in Germany is not only legal but also part of social welfare.

Drivers should always check their fuel level before getting on the motorway, as stopping suddenly due to lack of fuel is illegal. Drivers can be fined or have their license suspended for six months. Walking on the motorway can also result in a fine of 90 euros.

The German capital has undergone seven name changes: Aachen, Regensburg, Frankfurt-am-Main, Nuremberg, Berlin, Weimar, Bonn (East Berlin) and finally Berlin again since 1990.

According to a 2016 report by OAG, a leading provider of aviation information, Munich is the second most punctual airport in the world, after Tokyo, Japan.

Berlin's Zoologischer Garten is the world's largest zoo. Germany also boasts 400 registered zoos, including wildlife parks, aquariums, animal and plant reserves, bird parks, and more.

Germany has more cultural activities than any other country in the world with 6,200 museums, 820 theaters, 130 professional orchestras, 8,800 libraries and thousands of galleries and art galleries spread across cities across the country.

Germany is the second largest beer consumer in Europe, after the Czech Republic. Germany currently has 1,200 breweries producing 5,000 different brands.

According to VNE