Austria | History, Capital, Language, Flag, Facts & Geography of Austria

History of Austria:

Austria was occupied by Celtic tribes for most of its early history until it was conquered by the Roman Empire. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the region was once again ruled by native tribes until it was conquered by Charlemagne in his 788 AD. In 976, under Leopold von his reign of Babenberg, the region became known as Austria.

In 1276, Rudolf I became the first Habsburg to rule Austria. This marked the beginning of the Habsburg Empire, which would rule Austria for the next 750 years. The Habsburgs began to expand their empire far beyond the borders of present-day Austria, making Austria the center of power in Europe for centuries.

In 1848 Franz Joseph I became ruler of the House of Habsburg and ruled for almost 70 years until his death in 1916. Franz Josef brought many changes to Austria. Among other things, he gave Hungary more power by creating a so-called dual monarchy. This marked the beginning of the fall of Habsburg rule. In late 1919, after World War I, the empire collapsed and the Treaty of Saint-Germain established the Republic of Austria.

Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938 as part of World War II. The majority of Austrian Jews were either killed in the Holocaust or forced to flee. This he continued until the end of the war in 1945. Austria was partitioned after the war and became a fully independent country only after a treaty was signed in Vienna on October 25, 1955.

Information about Austria:

Flag of Austria:

Austria Economy Key Industries:

Austria Major Industries: construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism

Austria Agricultural Products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber

Austria Natural Resources: oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower

Austria Major Exports: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs

Austria Major Imports: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs

The Geography of Austria:

Total Size of Austria: 83,871 sq km (source: 2022 The world factbook)

Geographical Low Point of Austria: Neusiedler See 115 m

Geographical High Point of Austria: Grossglockner 3,798 m

Climate of Austria: Temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers

General Terrain of Austria: west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping

World Region or Continent of Austria:  Europe

Geographical Coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E

The People of  Austria & Culture

Austria Government Type: federal republic

Austria Nationality: Austrian(s)

Austria National Holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955); note – commemorates the State Treaty restoring national sovereignty and the end of occupation and the passage of the law on permanent neutrality

Austria Independence: 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)

Austria National Symbol: black eagle

Austria National Anthem or Song: Bundeshymne (Federal Hymn)

Austria Languages Spoken: German (official nationwide), Slovene (official in Carinthia), Croatian (official in Burgenland), Hungarian (official in Burgenland)

Austria Religions: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census)

Interesting Facts about Austria:

Austria has the highest waterfall in Europe, the Krimmlfalls. The height reaches 380 meters.

The world’s largest ice cave is located in Werfen. Its length is about 42 kilometers.

Austria is very small but borders her eight countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Austria is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. About 63% of the waste is recycled and most of the electricity is generated using renewable energy sources.

Whether alpine or downhill, skiing has been Austria’s most popular sport for over 100 years.

The Tyrolean city of Innsbruck hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Once in 1964 and again in 1976.

Austria was her one of the most powerful countries in the world in her 19th century. The total area at that time was about 700,000 square kilometers.

The history of the Austrian flag dates back to his 1191, making him one of the oldest national flags in the world.

In Austria it is considered bad luck to bump into someone or not make eye contact with them.

The Austrian National Library in Vienna holds over two million of his books, making it one of the largest libraries in the world.

Freedom of religion is very important in Austria and from the age of 14 children can choose their own religion.