Small-scale soil maps at scales of 1:200,000 to 1:5,000,000 are usually compiled from large- or medium-scale soil maps by summarizing the soil units depicted there. A uniform pedoregional classification is required to ensure a comparable approach across regions. In this data set, the top level of soil mapping in Germany is presented in 12 soil regions and described in German and English in terms of content. This new map of soil regions is the result of a content and spatial summary of the legend units of the soil landscapes of Germany at a scale of 1:5,000,000, version 4.0. More detailed information on the soil regions and soil landscapes of the Federal Republic of Germany can be found in the Soil Mapping Manual (KA5), chapter 6.5 starting on page 335.