The 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
North Rhine-Westphalia and
Hesse, the
Saarland and
Rhineland-Palatinate are also often included.
In differentiation to former
East Germany it can describe also
West Germany.