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General information
Government / People
Austria is a federal republic state with a parliamentary democracy.
With an area of 83.858 sq km Austria consists of 9 independent federal states (Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Vienna) with their own provincial governments. The federal legislation is exercised by the national council (Nationalrat) together with the Upper House of Parliament (Bundesrat) - the two chambers of Parliament.
Austria is a member of the European Union, the United Nations as well as most UN organizations.
Of the approximately 8 million inhabitants of Austria, 98% speak German. The six ethnic groups officially recognized in Austria (Burgenlandic Croatians, Roma, Slovaks, Slovenians, Czechs and Hungarians) are concentrated in the east and south of the country.
Approximately 74 % of Austrians are Roman Catholic, 5 % are Protestant, the rest belongs to other faiths.
Climate
Due to the topographical diversity and the relatively large West-East expanse, there are three differentiating climatic regions:
East: Pannonian climate with a continental influence – low precipitation, hot summers but only moderately cold winters.
Alpine Regions: Alpine climate - high precipitation ( except inner alpine valley regions such as the upper Inntal), short summers, long winters.
Remainder of the country: transient climate influenced by the Atlantic (in the West) and a continental influence in the South-east.
Fauna and Flora
Austria's topographic diversity accounts for a great variety of flora and fauna, including endemic species that are under preservation.
Fauna
In Austria there is a predominantly Central European fauna: deer, stag, rabbit, pheasant, fox, badger, marten, partridge.
Native to the alpine regions are the chamois, groundhog, eagle and mountain jackdaw. Characteristic of the Pannonian fauna is the vast bird population in the reed beds of Lake Neusiedl (heron, spoonbill, scooper, wild goose, and many more).
In recent years, Austria is home again to a small bear population, which can mainly be found in the heavily wooded southern and central mountainous regions.
Flora
The diversity of topographical and climatic conditions accounts for the country's species-rich flora.
Austria is one of Europe's most heavily wooded countries.
Characteristic are the deciduous forest (oak, beech) and the mixed forest (beech, fir) and in the higher altitude regions fir, larch and pine.
Especially diverse and colorful is the alpine flora: edelweiss, gentian, alpine carnation, arnica, alpine rose, heather and much more.
The northern edge of the Alps is especially dominated by grassland; typical in the Pannonian region are the scrub forest, mixed deciduous forest and the steppe moors. East of Lake Neusiedl one finds a specific salt steppe flora.
Austria's nature parks, that stretch across 3 percent of the country, document the diversity of the landscape with its in part unique natural landscapes, such as the rain and virgin forests.
Charming Diversity
From sunny beaches to ice-covered peaks, from bucolic vineyards to luxuriant pine forests, from gentle pasturelands to lush riverlands.
Austria's provinces boast landscapes to perfection at almost every turn. Landscapes as backdrop for a culture which has developed over thousands of years. Culture which you can experience in old cities as well as in historic villages, culture which is maintained by charming and hospitable people who love to share their love for arts and their liking for indulgence with you. Welcome to Austria.
Federal Provinces
Burgenland
Burgenland is the easternmost, newest and flattest of all of Austria's nine provinces.
Carinthia
Carinthia is Austria's southernmost province.
Lower Austria
Lower Austria, located in the Northeast, is Austria's largest province.
Salzburg
The province of Salzburg is divided into five regions: Flachgau, Tennengau, Pongau, Pinzgau and Lungau.
Styria
Styria is the second largest of Austria's nine provinces.
Tirol
The province of Tirol is dominated by the precipitous peaks of the Alps.
Upper Austria
Upper Austria is Austria's fourth-largest province.
Vienna
Vienna is Austria's capital and a province at the same time.
Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg is Austria's westernmost and second smallest province.