Airport
Nuremberg Airport, airport code:NUE, is 7km (4 miles) north of the city centre. Underground U2 runs to the Hauptbahnhof (travel time - 12 minutes). There is a 24-hour taxi service. Bus no. 32 goes to Thon with interchanging bus no. 30 to Erlangen (travel time – 20 minutes) as well as trams no. 4 and 9. Taxis are available. Airport facilities include a duty-free shop, 24-hour luggage lockers, business centre, 24-hour medical facilities, bars (0500-2000), snack bar (0430-2000), post office (Mon-Fri 0630-1730, Sat 0630-1200), restaurants (1100-2300) and car hire.

Visas
Required by all except the following for periods not exceeding three months:
(a) nationals referred to in the chart and those referred to under passport exemptions above;
(b) nationals of American Samoa, Andorra, Argentina, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Israel, Korea (Rep), Latvia, Lithuania, Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela and US Virgin Islands for stays of up to three months;
(c) passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding confirmed onward tickets and travel documents. However, the following nationals always need a visa even if transiting by the same aircraft;* Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Ethiopia, Eritrea, Gambia, Ghana, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey. Visitors should check with the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy).

Note: * A transit visa is not required by some nationals if in possession of a residence permit or visa for an EU country. Contact nearest German Embassy or Consulate for more information.

Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits as either a Short-term or Travel, Airport Transit or Transit visa. As prices are dependent on type, length of validity of visa and exchange rate, visitors are advised to contact their local Embassy directly.

Validity: Short-stay (single- and multiple-entry): valid for six months from date of issue for stays of maximum 90 days per entry or for one year from date of entry for stays of maximum 90 days in one half year. Transit (single- and multiple-entry): valid for a maximum of five days per entry, including the day of arrival. Visas cannot be extended and a new application must be made each time.

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Currency
euro (EUR); deutsche mark (DEM)
The currency of Germany is the Deutsche Mark (DM). The Deutsche Mark comes in coin denominations of DM5, 2, and 1, and 50, 10, 5, 2, 1 pfennigs; and banknotes of DM10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000.
Single European currency (Euro): The Euro is now the official currency of 12 EU member states (including Germany). The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002 and completely replaced the Deutschmark on 28 February 2002. Euro (€) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Credit Cards
VISA and MasterCard are the best options in Germany. American Express cards are the best when you need a cash advance because it offers the possibility to cash personal checks drawn from your bank account at home at any American Express office in Germany and Europe. In addition, it allows you to purchase Traveler's Checks from your American bank for a minimal fee. The only disadvantage of this card is that it is not as widely accepted in stores.

Note: In Germany payment acceptance of credit cards is not as usual as in the United States. Therefore always make sure to have enough cash at hand.

Tipping
There will be a service charge for hotel bills. In the case of taxis, hairdressers, doormen and others who provide a service a tip is usually expected. In restaurants the bill is usually rounded up to the nearest Deutchsmark and a ten percent service charge will already be included.

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Useful Numbers
Country dialling code: 49
Nuremberg Area Code: 911
Emergency: 112
Police: 110
Fire: 112

Electricity
230 volts AC, 50Hz. European-style round two-pin plugs are in use. Lamp fittings are screw type.

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Health Risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany. Vaccination is advisable. HIV testing is required for foreigners staying more than 180 days in Bavaria. Foreign tests are not accepted. Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Time Zone
GMT + 1 hour

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Business Hours
Banking: Mon - Fri: various hours between 0830 and 1530 (most open until 1800 on Thu).
Business: Mon - Fri: 0900–1730.
Government: Mon - Fri: 0900–1700
Shops: Mon - Fri: 0900–2000; Sat: 0900–1600.

Holidays
2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan* Epiphany.
21 Mar Good Friday.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
1 May Ascension.
12 May Whit Monday.
22 May* Corpus Christi.
15 Aug* Assumption.
3 Oct Day of German Unity.
31 Oct* Day of Reformation.
1 Nov* All Saints' Day.
19 Nov* Repentance Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan* Epiphany.
10 Apr Good Friday.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
21 May Ascension.
1 Jun Whit Monday.
11 Jun* Corpus Christi.
15 Aug* Assumption.
3 Oct Day of German Unity.
31 Oct* Day of Reformation.
1 Nov* All Saints' Day.
18 Nov* Repentance Day.
25-26 Dec Christmas.

Note: * These festivals are not observed in all areas.

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Climate
Generally temperate. Winters vary from mild and damp to very cold and bright. Summers are sunny and warm. The climate is almost continental, and temperature ranges from 25 degrees F in January to 65 degrees F in July, the average precipitation is 30 inches.

Clothing
It is customary to wear a suit and tie in banks, businesses and government offices. Casual clothes are acceptable at the cinema and almost all restaurants, bars and public places, except on special occasions. Men and women are expected to dress conservatively when visiting churches.

GDP Growth Rate
0.6%

Inflation
2.4%

Imports
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, foodstuffs, textiles, metals

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Exports
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, metals and manufactures, foodstuffs, textiles

Trading Partners
EU 52% (France, Netherlands, Italy, UK , Belgium/Luxembourg, US, Japan

Industries
among the world's largest and most technologically advanced producers of iron, steel, coal, cement, chemicals, machinery, vehicles, machine tools, electronics, food and beverages; shipbuilding; textiles

Teledensity
128%

Government
federal republic

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Geography
Nuremberg (Nurnberg) is a city located on the Pegnitz River about 90 miles northwest of Munich in Southern Germany. Nuremberg is surrounded by attractive landscapes: to the East the Franconian hills, to the North "Franconian Switzerland" and to the South-West the Franconian Lakes.
Germany is located in Central Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, between the Netherlands and Poland, south of Denmark. Its terrian rises from northern coastal lowlands to belt of central uplands, complex and varied in form. To south of uplands, a high plain suddenly rises to Alps in country's extreme south. Most important rivers: Rhine, flowing to north; Elbe, flowing to northwest; and Danube, flowing to southeast.

Population
Germany : 82.6 million
Nuremberg: 486,628

Ethnic Groups
87% German, 6% other European, 4% Turkish nationals.

Languages
German

Literacy
99%

Religion
54% undeclared, 26.5% Protestant, 10% Roman Catholic, 6% Islam; other Christian and Jewish minorities.