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Austria
Flag
Quick Facts
Capital Vienna
Government federal republic
Currency Euro (EUR)
Area total: 83,858 sq km
water: 1,120 sq km
land: 82,738 sq km
Population 8,169,929 (July 2002 est.)
Language German
Religion Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant 5%, Muslim and other
17%
Austria (German: Österreich) is a land-locked country
in the mountainous center of Europe.
Table of contents [showhide]
1 Regions
2 Cities
3 Other destinations
4 Understand
5 Get in
6 Get around
7 Talk
8 Buy
9 Eat
10 Drink
11 Sleep
12 Learn
13 Work
14 Stay safe
15 Stay healthy
16 Respect
17 Contact
18 External links
Regions
Map of AustriaAustria is a federal state comprised of nine
states:
Burgenland
Carinthia (Kärnten)
Lower Austria (Niederösterreich)
Salzburg
Styria (Steiermark)
Tyrol (Tirol)
Upper Austria (Oberösterreich)
Vienna (Wien)
Vorarlberg
Cities
Graz
Hall
Innsbruck
Klagenfurt
Linz
Salzburg
Vienna (Wien)
Other destinations
Hallstatt
Wolfgangsee lake surrounded by picturesque mountain towns
Understand
Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire,
Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in
World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938
and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945,
Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty
signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's
independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional
law of that same year declared the country's "perpetual
neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal.
This neutrality, once ingrained as part of the Austrian cultural
identity, has been called into question since the Soviet collapse
of 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995.
A prosperous country, Austria entered the European Monetary
Union in 1999.
Get in
Get around
Good trains between major cities and many towns; buses between
other towns and lakes. If you are under 26 get a VorteilsCard
(photo needed) for EUR 19,90 and have 45% discount on all
trains in Austria and 25% abroad in Europe.
Talk
The national language of Austria is German. The Austrian dialect
is distinct in accent from the German of Germany, and uses
some different words and phrases. English, however, is widely
spoken, and the only area most tourists have linguistic problems
with is translating food. In parts of Vienna with many foreign
visitors such languages as Italian and French will often be
understood as well.
Buy
Austria is a member of the European Union and the so-called
Eurozone. Consequently, the national currency is the Euro.
Eat
Austrian food is distinctive and delicious, and is traditionally
of the stodgy, hearty "meat and dumplings" variety.
Wiener Schnitzel (a breadcrumbed and fried veal escalope)
is something of a national dish, and Knödel are a kind
of dumpling which can be made either sweet or savoury according
to taste. Apart from these, Austria is renowned for its pastries
and desserts, the most well-known of which is probably the
Apfelstrudel.
The best advice is to dive into the menu and give it a go
- there are no nasty surprises!
Drink
Vienna is famous for its café culture, and there are
coffee houses all over the city, many of which have outdoor
terraces that are popular in the summer. Visit them for coffee
(of course), hot chocolate and pastries.
Sleep
Learn
Austria has many great universities, and Graz in particular
is renowned as a centre of learning, with no less than six
universities.
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