Austria is considered an Alpine country and borders – lying in the heart of Europe – on Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The wonderful and scenically beautiful country offers exciting excursion destinations in summer and winter. The capital Vienna is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. See andyeducation.com for education in Austria.
| Capital City | Wien |
| Size | 83.879 km² |
| Resident | 8.772.865 |
| Official Language | Deutsch |
| Currency | Euro |
| Time Zone | UTC+1/+2 |
| Telephone Area Code | +43 |
Fast facts to know
- The Großglockner in Carinthia/Tyrol (3798 m) is Austria’s highest mountain.
- The “Wiener Zeitung” is considered the oldest daily newspaper in the world that is still published.
- Only since 1938 has right-hand traffic applied throughout Austria.
- Around a quarter of all Austrians live in Vienna.
- In winter, around 20,000 snow cannons help out.
- Consists of 9 states.
- 70% of the population are Roman Catholic.
- There are no operating nuclear power plants in Austria.
- The postcard and the toothpaste tube were invented in Austria.
- The oldest restaurant in the world is in Salzburg.
- Winter sports-loving country with many winter sports opportunities.
- In China, the Austrian village of Hallstatt was recreated.
- In Austria there are sometimes really strange place names such as Fucking, Äußere Einöde, Poppen, Hühnergeschrei and Oberschaden.
Exciting cities in Austria
- Wien
- Salzburg
- Innsbruck
- Linz
- Krems
- Fields
- Hallstatt
- Mariazell
- Graz
- Villach
- Bregenz
history of Austria
- Original settlement in the 15th century B.C. Chr.
- 15 B.C. occupied by the Roman Empire.
- 700-1806 Frankish Empire and Holy Roman Empire.
- 1804–1867 Austrian Empire.
- 1867-1918 Dual Monarchy Austria-Hungary.
- 1918 Founding of the Republic.
- 1918–1933 first republic.
- 1933-1938 Austrofascist corporate state.
- 1938–1945 part of the German Reich.
- Until 1955 Austria was divided into occupation zones.
- July 27, 1955 full sovereignty.
Climate & travel weather in Austria
- Continental climate in the east.
- Mountainous regions with an alpine climate.
- In the south also Mediterranean climate.
- Alps, foothills of the Alps, Bregenzerwald with the most precipitation.
- Recommended travel time:
- Very accessible all year round.
- Main ski season December – March.
- Salzburger Land in autumn and spring often with periods of bad weather.
Ideas for excursions in Austria
- Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse
- Krimml Waterfalls
- Schönbrunn Castle
- Tropfsteinhöhle Katerloch
- devil stone
- 1000-year-old oak Bad Blumau
- Schlossberg in Graz
- Golden Roof in Innsbruck
- Hohensalzburg Fortress in Salzburg
- Ice giant world in Werfen
- Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna
- Schönbrunn Zoo
- Ant trap
- The Green Lake
Eating & drinking in Austria
- Good food is a matter close to the heart in Austria.
- There was “fast food” in Vienna as early as the 18th century.
- Bavarian, Bohemian and Hungarian influences noticeable.
- Austrian cuisine is increasingly relying on organic products.
- Bacon still plays a big role.
- There are also many meatless dishes.
- Diverse game dishes.
- Known for good wines.
- Has a strong coffee house culture.
- Sweet pastries are very popular.
- Many famous star chefs come from Austria.
- Typical dishes:
- Schnitzel.
- Tafelspitz.
- Kasspatzn.
- Gugelhupf.
- Apfelstrudel.
- Linzer cake.
- Carinthian Kasnoodles.
- Esterházy Rostbraten.
- Beuschel (innards).
- Blunzenradl (fried black pudding with sauerkraut).
- Tiroler Gröstl (pan dish with potatoes, slices of beef and pork, onions).
- Marillenknödel (curd dumplings filled with apricots).
- Palatschinke (thin pancake covered with jam or chocolate).
- Salzburger Nockerl (stiffly beaten egg whites baked with powdered sugar, egg yolk, flour and grated lemon zest).
Particularly scenic
- Oberhüttensee
- Styrian Tuscany
- Kleinwalsertal
- Tiroler Lech Nature Park
- Seewiesen Hochschwab
- Filzmoos
- Großglockner
- National Parks:
- High Tauern
- Donau-Auen
- Kalkalpen
- Thayatal
- Neusiedler See-Seewinkel
- Gesäuse
- Bregenzerwald
- Alpenpark Karwendel
- Grünau in the Almtal
- Valleys like the Villgratental, Lechtal, Brandnertal and Alpachtal
- Wachau
- Saalbach Hinterglemm
- Wildschönau
- Schilcherland
- Salzkammergut
