Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a highly industrialized nation located in Central Europe. It is bordered by Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, and France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands to the west. The country's economy is one of the largest and most stable in the world, driven by advanced manufacturing and exports. With a population exceeding 83 million people, Germany is a major political and economic power within the European Union.