Prior to the unification of Germany in 1990, West Germany was a prominent nation state in Western Europe. The term "West Germany" was used commonly during this time to refer to the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). In addition to "West Germany," there are several synonyms that have been used to describe this country. These include "Bundesrepublik Deutschland," which means Federal Republic of Germany in German, and "Western Federal Republic of Germany." Other alternatives include "Westdeutschland" or "Western Germany." These alternatives were used to differentiate West Germany from the former German Democratic Republic in the East, and often in the context of maritime trade and international politics.