Throughout the long history of the country, the change in the EGP of Germany in time occurred simultaneously with changes in its borders. The country was changing, its environment was changing, the economic conditions and formations were also changing. Only one thing remained unchanged: for many centuries, the country of Germany took one of the leading positions in the European political arena due to its central position.
Economic and geographical position of the country on the map of Europe
The country's central position relative to other European states undoubtedly gives Germany a number of advantages: access to various markets for goods and capital, as well as the ability to provide territory for transit of goods. However, transit has never been for Germany the main source of profit and the basis of economic growth.
An important distinguishing characteristic of Germany's EGP is its long border with nine economically developed European states. The longest is the common border with Austria, located in the south. The two countries have long-standing relations based on cultural and linguistic commonality, as well as on long mutually beneficial economic cooperation and industrial cooperation. The centuries-old interaction of the two cultures in the educational, scientific and engineering fields has allowed both countries to achieve unprecedented heights of economic development.
German transport systems
The impact of EGP on the country's economy cannot be underestimated, because numerous geographical factors, such as access to the Baltic and North Seas and extensive river systems, have allowed the economy to develop over several centuries.
River ways influenced the German economy throughout the history of Germanic tribes, and continue to influence it today. The two most important rivers in Germany are the Rhine and Danube. The source of the Rhine is high in the Swiss Alps, and flows into the North Sea on the border of the Netherlands and Germany.
Flowing through the territory of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, France, Germany and the Netherlands, the Rhine has historically served as an important transport artery connecting all these countries. In addition, the river has always contributed to improving cultural exchange between peoples.
Trends in the change in German EGP over time
Germany has such characteristics as a large length of borders, access to two seas, which occupy an important place in the global transport system, as well as a large number of minerals.
The modern economy of Germany is based on high-tech industries, the production of complex machinery, the chemical industry and the service sector. In general, it is worth saying that the German economy is one of the most efficient in the world and very diversified. The characterization of the EGP of Germany cannot be given without mentioning the developed engineering industry. Cars made in Germany are in demand all over the world.
The country of Germany in the international distribution of labor also occupies an important place as a manufacturer of precision equipment and an important developer of pharmaceutical substances.
Cross-border cooperation
Active economic cooperation would not have been possible without cultural and commodity exchange with neighboring states.
Speaking of cross-border cooperation, the topic of changing the borders of Germany cannot be avoided, because in the twentieth century this happened several times. The country began to move to its modern borders in the 19th century, when after the liquidation of the Holy Roman Empire, the German Union was created , which included at that time 38 German states, some of which were very tiny.
However, Germany became truly large only after an alliance agreement was signed between Prussia, the largest of the German states, and neighboring German states in 1866.
But the complete unification of the country only happened in 1871, when the German Empire was created, which existed until the 1918 revolution. At the beginning of the 20th century, borders in Europe intensively changed, states and national economies collapsed and created from scratch.
German Empire
In Germany, a change in the EGP in time most often occurred stepwise. The unification of the country caused incredible economic growth, which was made possible thanks to the abolition of the numerous customs duties that existed between the borders of the German monarchies.
However, economic growth and the unification of the country under the rule of the Prussian king ultimately led to the fact that the Empire turned into the most militarized state of Europe with military expenditures reaching half of the state budget in some years.
Germany in the 21st century
After numerous crises that accompanied Germany throughout the 20th century, the country finally achieved national unity. Citizens were again able to tackle the peaceful development of the economy, science and humanitarian issues.
Currently, the change in the EGP of Germany in time is primarily due to its membership in the European Union, as well as to the entry into this community of ever new countries, including from Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
In fact, within a united Europe, state borders ceased to exist, which very often restrain the economic development of states and affect the change in the country's economic and geographical position.
However, in addition to positive trends, experts note a significant weakening of German positions, caused by the inability to control migration from neighboring countries. And this is not only about labor migration from the new EU member states, but also about millions of refugees arriving in Germany in transit through other countries. But German citizens do not lose hope of the possibility of a peaceful and humane solution to the refugee crisis.