North and south Germany

J So tell me, the north and south in England are very different from each other. (uhuh) Is it the same in Germany?

T Yes, absolutely.

J In what ways?

T Well, the north is more industrial, erm, especially the Ruhrgebiet, and erm, I would say more cosmopolitan, (uhuh). Cities like Hamburg, Berlin and so forth are more international. The south is more rural and more agricultural, and the cities are smaller, or tend to be smaller than in the north. We have fewer big cities there (uhuh) and erm, the climate is different as well.

J Right.

T Erm, for example, the north is, erm, wetter and more moderate, whereas the south is more extreme. It’s continental climate, so in the summer, it’s hotter, and in the winter it’s colder.

J Right.

J So, so, er, what about the countryside in that case?

T Well, the north is flatter, er, a bit like Holland, erm, I mean, there is a bit of some hills and things, but it’s not very dramatic. The south has a much more dramatic landscape; you have the mountains and the lakes, and so if you want to see nature (hmm) , I recommend the south.

J Great. And what about the people?

T Well, I would say in the north, they’re livelier, because there (are) many cosmopolitan cities, and in the south, they’re perhaps a bit more, more relaxed and laid back. (Uhuh).