Country of the World East Germany

About the country East Germany, its location, size, population, leaders and rulers.

NATIONS AND THEIR RULERS

GERMANY

EAST GERMANY

Size: 41,768 sq. mi. (108,178 sq. km.).

Population: 17 million.

Who Rules: The legislature is a Volkskammer ("People's Chamber") of 500 members, serving for five-year terms. It elects all other high officials.

Who REALLY Rules: East Germany effectively has only one party--the Socialist Unity party (Communist)--which, through its Politburo, makes all decisions. This system was established by Walter Ulbricht, the strong leader who took East Germany through its early years. Ties with the U.S.S.R. are close. Unlike their elders, many of whom remember W.W. II and the atrocities of the Russian occupation. East German young people are believers in communism, belong to the Free German Youth, and in adolescence participate in a ceremony dedicating their lives to the state.