Germany Introduction Situated at the crossroads of Europe, the scenery of the Federal Republic of Germany is enormously varied and includes sandy beaches, towering mountains, forests, lakes and settlements ranging from medieval villages to some of Europe's greatest cities.
Every region offers different foods and a wide range of wines and local beers.
The central western area of the country consists of the Rhineland region, the industrial sprawl of the Ruhr, the varied landscapes of Westphalia, the wine region Rhineland-Palatinate, the Saarland and the state of Hesse with its German 'fairytale road'. The Black Forest can be found in the south and is part of the state of Baden-W rttemberg. Areas of touristic interest in this state include the Neckar Valley, Swabia and Lake Constance. The main tourist regions are the Bavarian Forest to the east with the first German national park near the border with the Czech Republic, Franconia to the north, Upper Bavaria and the Alps to the south and the Allg u region. Bavaria is the most popular tourist destination for nationals and visitors.