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The geographic term Western Germany (German: Westdeutschland) is used to describe a region in the west of Germany. The exact area defined by the term is not constant, but it usually includes, but does not have the borders of, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse. The Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate are also sometimes included, but usually considered South-Western.

In contrast, from 1949 to 1990, when two German states existed, West Germany was used in English as a common informal name for the Federal Republic of Germany. The states in East Germany, properly called German Democratic Republic (GDR), acceded in 1990. The enlarged Federal Republic is simply called Germany again since.

[edit] See also

• Eastern Germany, which historically describes different regions and political entities
• Northern Germany, Southern Germany, Middle Germany