Industry in Germany

Manufacturing is the foundation of Germany’s economy. It belongs to the G-7 group, which represents the seven richest nations in the world. Germany has several major manufacturing regions. The Ruhr is the most important industrial regions and one of the busiest in the world. It includes the Dortmand, Duisburg, and the Dussel-dorf. It produces most of the nations iron and steel. Much of Germany’s steel is used to make automobile, ships, and tools. Germany’s main industrial regions are the Ruhr, an area of coal mines and steel mills along the Ruhr River in North Rhine-Westphalia; Bremen and Hamburg, have huge shipbuilding yards; Bavaria in the south, where many plants for the manufacture of automobiles and stereo equipment are located; and Dresden, which has power plant and a growing electronic industry. West Germany has a high reputation in the world for the excellent design and fine workmanship of products such as the BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz cars. East Germany did not come close to West Germany’s technology development or its industrial production. New programs were designed to bring manufacturing in the East up to the standards of the West. Many factories are being modernized and workers are receiving training in computer technology and other modern manufacturing. Germany imports most of it materials and energy sources. Its steel industry is near these areas. It also has small amounts of iron ore, petroleum, and natural gas.