INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT AUSTRIA

Austria

Austria is a landlocked, central European country. The country is well-known for its High GDP which provides a very high living standard for all its residents. 47 percent of the entire land is forested, and it is one of the most environmentally friendly countries in the world. The breathtaking meadows and waterfalls provide a lot of adventurous walking and hiking. Austria has a rich culture. Elaborate architecture is found in most of the cities, mainly at Vienna and Salzburg, providing the tourists with some picturesque views.

Cool Austrian Fun Facts

1. The name Austria derives from the Germanic word ‘austro’- which means east.
2. Austria is the homeland of some of the most known classical musicians ever, including Wolfgang, Amadeus Mozart, and Franz Schubert.
3. Even though it has a French name, the most famous Croissant was made in Austria in the early 20th century, and it has since become a routine in every Austrian breakfast.
4. Austrian cuisine is also known for its strudel or schnitzel.
5. For the past eight years, Vienna is declared as the city with the highest quality of life in the world.
6. Austria is amongst the top 5 peaceful countries in the world.
7. The little town of Hallstatt in Austria has been copied almost entirely by China, which built a replica in Luoyang, Boluo. The area of Luoyang, Boluo, holds exact replicas of the church, the fountain, and many other objects from Hallstatt.
8. The Austrian health system is among the 10-best health systems according to the World Health Organization!
9. If you go for a tour commonly known as “tour on the land of hills and fruits” during or around the cherry season, you might end up with a belly and a backpack full of the most amazing fruits you’ve ever had, fresh out of the farms.
10. One of the best things about Austria is, being able to buy local produce directly from the farmers.

Innsbruck’s Hofburg and Hofkirche

Austria facts for Kids

1. The capital of Austria is Vienna, also known as Wein and it is also the largest city of Austria.
2. The current population of the country is 8.7 million.
3. The 1.9 million people out of the total stay in the capital city Vienna.
4. The highest mountain of Austria, Grossglockner, is 3,798 meters high.
5. The longest river situated in the Danube is 2860 km long. It is also the second-largest river in Europe.
6. The currency used in Austria is known as Euro, it is in use since 1999.
7. Roman Catholic and Protestant are the main religions followed in Austria.
8. The average life expectancy is 82 years.
9. The literacy rate of Austria is 98 percent. 
10. The seven steps at the Mirabell Gardens were an accidental coincidence that aligned with the seven notes of the song “Do-Re-Mi” in the film The Sound of Music!

Austria History Facts

1. Prechten is a ceremony that dates back to Pre-Christian times and stems from Bavarian ideals. The masks are carved from wood and passed from generation to generation. During the ceremony, they will come by and whip you to rid you of the evil spirits for the year.
2. The Uhrturm clock tower in Graz Austria is visible from all over Austria’s second-largest city. The Tower was part of a large castle that was once a medieval fortress on top of a hill. But in 1809, most of the Castle was torn down by Napoleon, and this Tower was the only building the people of Graz could save by paying Napolean a ransom from their own money. Today, it is a gorgeous park.
3. Withering Abbey is a prime example of Rococo architecture. An 18th-century monastery, the church is a sight to behold.
4. Freistadt has a beautiful walled-off medieval town. If you visit their Schloss Museum, you can climb a tower that overlooks the entire city. There are also pretty cute bakeries in Freistadt.
5. Melk Abbey is one of the top destinations to visit in Austria and is a stunning example of extravagant architecture. The little town is also very cute.
6. The construction of Stephens Cathedral in Vienna lasted for 65 years, from 1368-1433. Joseph Haydn sang here as a choir boy, and Mozart was married in this church.
7. We’ve already mentioned this before but, Austria is the homeland of some of the greatest classical musicians ever, including Wolfgang, Amadeus Mozart, and Franz Schubert.
8. Salzburg city of Mozart preserves the house he was born in till date, and it has now been turned into a museum.
9. Ludwig van Beethoven is another great classical musician who is buried in Viena.
10. Viena’s Christmas Market, which is now a symbol of the city, dates back to 1772 and has become a tradition and is very hard to miss for tourists.

10 Most famous landmarks In Austria

Austria People & Culture Facts

1. Happy New Year from Hallstatt! Here in this charming little village, you can expect to watch a forty-five-minute firework show over the lake! It’s a UNESCO heritage site and a place you cannot afford to miss.
2. The creation of the pretzel is attributed to Italy in 610CE. Italian monks made these treats for children who would cross their arms in prayer, but now the pretzel is known for its Germanic treat!
3. In Oberndorf, Salzburg, Austria, “Silent Night” premiered at a chapel in the town of Oberndorf. The hymn is now the most popular Christmas carol of all time and has been translated into over 300 languages.
4. The city goes back to Roman times but is remembered principally as an archbishopric for the Holy Roman Prince. Salzburg was its own country until it became part of the Austrian Empire in 1816.
5. Salzburg, Austria, the home of Mozart and The Sound of Music! You could enjoy an amazing concert in the fortress overlooking the city while enjoying a wholesome meal.
6. Linz is the capital of Upper Austria, and people have been there since the 4th century BCE.
7. Linz is the area of Landstrabe and is the largest shopping area in Austria, outside of Vienna. In 2009, Linz was named the European Capital of Culture; for all of the theatre and opera swarming in the city.
8. Krampus (a folklore demon) is a Christmas tradition celebrated on the eve of the 5th of December. People wear devilish masks with horns to represent a devil that punishes the children who have misbehaved throughout the past year.
9. In Austria, a unique knot on the apron indicates a woman’s marital status. If tied on the left, the woman is single; on the right, the woman is married, and a widow’s knot is in the middle.
10. A Dirndl is the traditional feminine dress of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland as a typical Bavarian outfit. The citizens still wear them for different events.

Austria Economical Facts

1. Vienna is the perfect place to sit and watch the world go by, grab a famous cup of coffee and Viennese pastry because after all, “Vienna waits for you.”
2. In Austria, the average household net adjusted disposable income per capita is USD 32,544 a year, higher than the OECD average of USD 30 563. But there is a substantial gap between the richest and poorest. The top 20% of the population earn about four times as much as the bottom 20%.
3. The Austrian health system is among the ten best health systems according to the World Health Organization.
4. Austrians are top recyclers. Austria, along with neighboring Germany, is one of the greenest nations in the world- recycling more than any other country.
5. Vienna has been voted in 2019 as the best city to live in, considering the economic, political, social, and healthcare aspects. The Austrian’s respect nature and the environment as they are the top recyclers of Europe and also, the fact that most of their energy comes from alternative eco-friendly sources.
6. Over 70% of the population works in Austria! The most in-demand occupations are teachers, doctors, nurses, catering staff, engineers, and IT specialists.
7. Based on GDP, Austria is one of the richest countries in the world.
8. More than any European worker, an Austrian worker works for more than 45 hours a week.
9. Only tourism in Austria brings about one billion dollars per year. 
10. Austria is a nuclear-free country.

Conclusion

Combining the contemporary with the history, Austria is a charming country, a home to marvelous mountains, magnificent palaces, and rich culture. The glamour of Austria is capturing and worth visiting. Also, the churches that you come across with their striking architecture, from the gothic featured to the romanesque, to the baroque style. You have to have Austria on your bucket list.