[SlainThrax-]

LOCATION
·central Europe
· borders the Baltic sea and the north sea.
· between the Netherlands and Poland
·south of Denmark


CORDINATS
· 51, 00 N, 9, 00 E

MAP REFRENCES
· Europe
http://www.odci.gov/...ok/geos/gm.html

FLAG


AREA
· total: 357, 021 sq km
· water: 7,798 sq km
· land: 349, 223

COMPARITIVE
Slightly smaller than Montana

COASTLINE
2,389 km

CLIMATE
temperate and marine; cool, cloudy, wet winters and summers; occasional warm foehn wind


Terrain:
lowlands in north, uplands in center, Bavarian Alps in south


Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Neuendorf bei Wilster -3.54 m
highest point: Zugspitze 2,963 m


Natural resources:
iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel, arable land


Land use:
arable land: 33.88%
permanent crops: 0.65%
other: 65.47% (1998 est.)


Irrigated land:
4,850 sq km (1998 est.)


Natural hazards:
flooding


Environment - current issues:
emissions from coal-burning utilities and industries contribute to air pollution; acid rain, resulting from sulfur dioxide emissions, is damaging forests; pollution in the Baltic Sea from raw sewage and industrial effluents from rivers in eastern Germany; hazardous waste disposal; government established a mechanism for ending the use of nuclear power over the next 15 years; government working to meet EU commitment to identify nature preservation areas in line with the EU's Flora, Fauna, and Habitat directive
Environment - international agreements:


party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol


Geography - note:
strategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea




GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE
German Chocolate Cake Recipe By : Lynne K Website : http://www.chocolatecuisine.com Serves/Makes :
10 Categories :
Desserts:Cakes 1/2 cup water 4 (1 ounce) squares German sweet chocolate 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups white sugar 4 egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup buttermilk 2 1/2 cups cake flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 egg whites 1 cup white sugar 1 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup butter 3 egg yolks, beaten 1 1/3 cups flaked coconut 1 cup chopped pecans 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon shortening 1 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 - 9 inch round pans. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a small saucepan, heat water and 4 ounces chocolate until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool. In a large bowl, cream 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in 4 egg yolks one at a time. Blend in the melted chocolate mixture and vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk, mixing just until incorporated. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Pour into 3 - 9 inch pans Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto wire rack. To make the Filling: In a saucepan combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup butter, and 3 egg yolks. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut, pecans and vanilla. Cool until thick enough to spread. Spread filling between layers and on top of cake. In a small saucepan, melt shortening and 1 ounce of chocolate. Stir until smooth and drizzle down the sides of the cake.