Germany (German: Deutschland ), officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( Bundesrepublik Deutschland ) is the largest country in Central Europe. Germany is politically, economically and culturally influential, and is the largest European Union member state by population and economic output. Known around the world for “German engineering” as well as world leading banking and insurance companies, it is equally admired by visitors for its old-world charm and Gemütlichkeit (cosiness). Discard any perceptions of Germany as simply homogeneous, and a country of surprising regional diversity awaits.