Austria

Austria – detailed information about the country with photos. Attractions, cities of Austria, climate, geography, population, and culture.

Austria (Republic of Austria)

Austria (German: Österreich) is a state in Central Europe. It is one of the most affluent and peaceful countries in the European Union, which has no access to the sea and borders Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Germany and Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south. Austria is a federal parliamentary republic consisting of 9 federal states. The official language is German. The majority of the population are Catholics.
Austria is a former heart of the mighty Habsburg Empire, which occupied a large part of Europe and subordinated most of its neighboring states. It is one of the cultural centers of the European continent and the haven of Western musical traditions. It is a country of stunning nature – from the snow-capped and forested majestic Alps to the refined Danube and the icy caves of Eisriesenwelt. Austria attracts with its rich cultural heritage, the magnificent architecture of Vienna and Salzburg, stunning natural landscapes and a calm, friendly atmosphere.

Useful Information about Austria

• Official language – German.
• Currency – Euro.
• Visa – Schengen.
• Standard of living – very high.
• Population – over 8.8 million people.
• Area – 83,879 sq. km.
• Capital – Vienna.
• Time zone +1.
• Form of government – federal parliamentary republic.
• Over 70% of the population are Catholics.
• The electrical network has a voltage of 220 to 230 V, 50 Hz.
• It would be good form to leave a tip of 5-10% of the amount, of course, if you were satisfied.
• Austria is one of the safest countries in the world with a very low crime rate.
• ATMs in Austria are called Bankomat. They are widespread and you can withdraw cash even in small villages. Almost all shops and restaurants accept bank cards.
• The flag of Austria consists of three equal horizontal stripes – the top is red, the middle is white, and the bottom is red.

Geography and Nature

Austria is a mountainous country that has no access to the sea. Mountains occupy more than 70% of the territory, and 2/3 is located at an altitude of over 500 meters above sea level. Forests cover a large part of the country’s territory. The foothills are covered with deciduous forests (beech and oak), and in the mountains there are mainly conifers (spruce, fir, larch, cedar). Higher up are the alpine meadows and glaciers. The highest peak of Austria is the Grossglockner (3,798 m).

Austria can be conditionally divided into three geographical areas: the Eastern Alps occupy the larger part, the other part is the foothills, the Bohemian Forest (Böhmerwald) and the Danube valley, and the smallest part is the Vienna Basin (part of the Central Danube Lowland). The animal world is typical of Central Europe. Although Austria has preserved more wild animals and natural habitats. Here you can meet: red deer, elk, roe deer, brown bear, wild boar, golden eagle, chamois, capercaillie and black grouse.

The largest river in Austria is the Danube. The far west belongs to the Rhine valley. Other major rivers are the Inn, Enns, Drava and Morava. There are many mountain rivers in the mountains with fast flow and clean water. There are more than five hundred lakes scattered across the country. The largest of them are: Attersee, Traunsee, Lake Constance and Neusiedler See.

Weather

The climate is temperate, transitional to continental and strongly depends on altitude zonality. Summers are warm and sunny on the plains and foothills, cooler and wetter in the mountains. Winters also have differences. In the mountains it is usually quite cold and with a lot of snow, the plains have a mild winter and small negative temperatures.

Best Time to Visit

The most favorable time to visit Austria to get acquainted with the cultural and historical heritage is June and September. During this period, it is usually warm and dry. For skiing, it is better to come from November to March.

History and Interesting Facts

In ancient times, the territory of Austria was inhabited by Celtic tribes. The Celtic Kingdom of Noricum was conquered by the Romans and turned into a Roman province. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Austria was conquered by the Franks. In 803, the Austrian March was formed, which in the late 10th century became the Eastern March.

The name of the country Osterreich translates from Old German as “Eastern State”. “Austria” has been used to refer to the territory of the country since the 10th century.

In the Middle Ages, Austria, Styria, Carinthia and Tirol were independent states. In 1156, Austria became an independent duchy ruled by the Babenberg dynasty. In 1276, they were replaced by the Habsburgs, who ruled the country until World War I and under whose rule the state reached its greatest prosperity.

In the 15th century, the power of the Habsburgs in Europe began to grow rapidly. From 1438, the Dukes of Austria constantly became Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1526, the Duchy of Austria included Bohemia and Croatia, in 1687 Hungary joined the state by union. At the end of the 18th century, Galicia, Little Poland and Southern Mazovia were annexed. The Habsburg state during this period was one of the mightiest states in Europe.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the Austrian Archdukes lost the title of Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, but acquired the title of Emperor of Austria. In 1815, the German Confederation was created, and the Austrian Emperors became its presidents. Approximately at this time, Lombardy and Veneto were annexed to the empire. In 1859, after the Austro-Italian-French War, the Italian territories were lost, and in 1866 the German Confederation ceased to exist. From 1867, the empire was called Austria-Hungary.

After World War I, Austria-Hungary ceased to exist. Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia withdrew from the empire. Austria became a republic. In 1938, the country’s territory was annexed by Nazi Germany. Austria was liberated in April 1945. Since October 1955, the law on permanent neutrality has been in effect. Austria became a member of the European Union in 1995.

Administrative Division

Austria is divided into 9 federal states. Vienna is the capital city.

Federal States of Austria:

• Burgenland – administrative center is the city of Eisenstadt.
• Carinthia – administrative center is Klagenfurt.
• Lower Austria – administrative center is the city of St. Pölten.
• Upper Austria – administrative center is Linz.
• Salzburg – administrative center is Salzburg.
• Styria – administrative center is the city of Graz.
• Tyrol – administrative center is the city of Innsbruck.
• Vorarlberg – administrative center is the city of Bregenz
• The capital city of Vienna.

Population

Austrians take formalities and etiquette seriously, they are friendly, quite open and highly respect traditions. They should not be compared to Germans or considered their language purely German. Austrians are a separate nation with their own dialect. The overwhelming majority of the Austrian population professes Catholicism. Religion and traditions play a large role in the life of an Austrian. Most major church holidays are days off. Austrians are obsessed with titles and are very proud of them. In business correspondence, they will always indicate their academic degree starting from the master’s degree. This mark is also in the Austrian passport.

Some etiquette rules in Austria:

1. When greeting, you should say “Grüß Gott”, and when saying goodbye “Wiedersehen” (“Auf” is usually omitted).
2. Do not raise your voice and do not shout in public places – this can be regarded as aggression.
3. You always need to use the Sie form when talking to older or unfamiliar people.
4. When meeting, Austrians shake hands and look each other in the eye. Lack of eye contact can be seen as arrogance.

Transport

There are 6 international airports in Austria. The largest is located in Vienna. Others are located in Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, and Salzburg. The most accessible and easiest way to travel around the country is by train. Austria has a well-developed railway network, including high-speed trains. You can get to Austria by train from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland. Bus service within the country is not very common. Buses are mainly used for travel between small towns and remote villages.

Austria has excellent highways, for traveling on which you need to buy a vignette. The vignette can be purchased at gas stations or “Kantors”.
From Germany:

• Autobahn A8 from Munich to Salzburg.
• Autobahn A93 from Rosenheim through Kufstein to Innsbruck and Tyrol.
• E43 (A96) from Leutkirch through Wangen to Bregenz and Vorarlberg.
• E56 from Regensburg through Passau to Linz.

From Italy:

• Autobahn A23 (E55) through Tarvisio to Villach.
• Autobahn A22 (E45) through the Brenner Pass to Innsbruck.

From Slovenia:

• E652 to Villach.
• E57 through Spielfeld to Graz.

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Cities of Austria

Vienna — the capital and largest city of Austria with a population of almost 2 million. It is the heart of the country and one of the cultural and economic centers of Europe. Vienna is famous for its theaters, music, and museums. Mozart and Strauss composed here, while talented architects transformed Vienna into a European gem. The Habsburgs gathered vast collections of cultural and artistic treasures. The historic center of Austria’s capital is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Salzburg – one of Austria’s most beautiful cities. Its Old Town is a Baroque masterpiece, and the historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The genius composer Mozart was born here, and the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress is the largest fully preserved medieval fortress in Central Europe.

Hallstatt — a tiny village nestled in the Alps, has become one of Austria’s most iconic and popular destinations. This small settlement sits in a scenic location on the lake’s edge, with beautiful houses and stunning landscapes.

Other Interesting Cities in Austria:

• Innsbruck — capital of Tyrol, known for its historical buildings, charming Old Town, and sports facilities. Innsbruck once served as the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.
• Graz — capital of Styria and Austria’s second-largest city, known for its universities and well-preserved Old Town.
• Linz — the country’s third-largest city and capital of Upper Austria. Located near the Czech border, it is famous for its historic streets and architecture.
• Villach — the second-largest city in Carinthia, situated on the border with Italy. Known for its rich history and cultural events.
• Bregenz — a small city and capital of Vorarlberg, located in a scenic area on the shore of Lake Constance.
• St. Pölten — the capital of Lower Austria and one of the oldest cities in the country.

Attractions and Recognized Places

The Hofburg is an imperial palace in Vienna. It is a huge, lavish building that was the winter residence of the Habsburgs from the 13th century. Numerous reconstructions have left their mark on its architecture, in which elements from Gothic to Art Nouveau can be found. The palace includes over 2,000 rooms and several museums.

Schönbrunn is the summer residence of Empress Maria Theresa. It is an 18th-century Baroque palace with a beautiful garden. Located on the outskirts of Vienna and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna is one of the most outstanding masterpieces of European Gothic and one of the largest religious structures in Austria. For a long time, the cathedral building with its tower was the highest structure in Europe.

Hohenzollern Fortress is a medieval fortress on the Festungsberg mountain, the landmark of Salzburg. It is the largest intact medieval fortress in Europe.

The Historic Old Town of Innsbruck is a medieval city center with unique architecture, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Alps.

Melk Abbey Benedictine Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in the world. It is located on a cliff overlooking the Danube. Its walls house valuable works of art and historical rarities.

Hohenwerfen is a mighty medieval castle located on a rocky promontory above the Salzach River. It was founded in the 11th century. It is located 40 km from Salzburg and open to the public.

Hochosterwitz is a medieval castle east of St. Veit on a high cliff. It is considered one of the most important monuments of the Middle Ages in Austria. The castle has been mentioned since the 9th century. Throughout its history, it has never been captured.

Maria Saall Church is a medieval Gothic church above Zollfeld, which is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites. It stands out with its twin towers and beautiful old gravestones.

Eisriesenwelt is the world’s largest network of ice caves, located in the federal state of Salzburg. One of the most amazing natural wonders of Austria.

Grossglockner High Alpine Road is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in Europe, built on the site of an ancient Roman road. It is 22 kilometers long and runs through the mountains at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. The road consists of a long series of turns leading to the top tunnel at Hochtor. This route will reveal stunning mountain views and a breathtaking panorama of Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner.

St. Anton am Arlberg is a famous ski resort located in Tyrol. It is a legendary place for all ski enthusiasts.

Accommodation

Hotels and guesthouses can be found in almost every Austrian village. Most of them are significantly more expensive than in other parts of Europe. A cleaning fee is often charged, so you need to carefully check the accommodation conditions when booking. Accommodation in Vienna and Salzburg costs much more than a room in a picturesque Alpine hotel somewhere in the Austrian countryside. For registration in any hotel, an identity document is required.

Cuisine

Austrian cuisine is excellent and refined. It has absorbed the culinary traditions of Bavaria, Hungary, Serbia, Romania, and Dalmatia. Desserts are the true stars of Austrian cuisine. Bread also plays a large role. Even in the smallest Alpine village, there is often a bakery.

Traditional Dishes and Drinks:

• Wiener Schnitzel – breaded and fried veal cutlet.
• Tafelspitz – boiled beef with potatoes and horseradish.
• Knödel – something like our dumplings. Especially popular in Tyrol.
• Palatschinken – thin pancakes with various fillings.
• Liptauer – a dish of cream cheese with paprika.
• Strudel – a famous Austrian dessert consisting of thin layers of baked dough with a filling of apples and raisins.
• Sacher – a legendary chocolate cake.
• Salzburger Nockerln – baked vanilla soufflé.
• Mehlspeisen – pudding.
• Stroh – a spicy rum.
• Glühwein – hot red wine with orange and spices.

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