TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Austria is a real paradise for travelers. This is one of the most economically and politically stable, conservative, wealthy, clean and safe Western European countries with rich history and superior tourist facilities. Austria offers spectacular views of jagged peaks and rampaging rivers, giving way to gentle rolling hills, vineyards and green pastures studded with small old villages and towns. You can walk in the cities or in the parks, hike in the Alps, ski, trace Mozart's footsteps in Salzburg, take excursions, watch shows, festivals, visit museums in Austria. Whether you are staying in one of the popular skiing, hiking or spa resorts, or just passing through Austria in a vehicle, you are likely to experience typically Austrian charm, respect and hospitality at some point during your visit. It is impossible to give a full-scale description of Austira on just one page, so we offer you to visit our Austria citiy guides for more information on particular cities and towns.
Austria's capital city- Vienna as well as Mozart's birthplace city Salzburg are the country's primary tourist destinations after the alpine regions.
To find out more about Austria, its tourist attractions, activities, nightlife and place to eat, check out our Destination Guides.

TRAVEL TIPS

Store prices in Austria are comparable with other Western European countries, and a little higher than in the US because of 20 % sales tax included in the prices.
Austria offers opportunities for holidays all year-round. The least crowded months are April-May and October-November. June through September are the busiest for travel idustry in Austria.
Austria's crime rate is low, it is one of the most safe countries in the world. You should take normal, common sense precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Do not leave valuables unattended. Be aware that pickpockets and muggers operate in and around the city centre of Vienna, including restaurants, cafes, hotel lobbies and on public transport. You should be especially vigilant around major railway stations and city centre parks after dark.
When driving in Austria, you should always carry a valid international licence, ownership documents and insurance details. Warning vests are required for all drivers and must be worn day or night when exiting the vehicle on the hard shoulder or in the event of breakdown. Only "hands free" mobile telephones can be used whilst driving. It is compulsory in Austria that cars are driven with headlights switched on throughout the day all year round. This regulation applies to all Austria roads including city/towns. The maximum speed allowed on motorways is 130km/h. Traveling on Austrian motorways (the so-called autobahn) means you are liable to pay tolls. If you use Austrian motorways and "S" roads you must display a Motorway Vignette on your vehicle as you enter Austria. Failure to have one will mean a heavy, on-the-spot fine. Motorway Vignettes are obtainable at all major border crossings into Austria and at larger petrol stations. All vehicles above 3.5 tonnes maximum permitted laden weight and using the Austrian network of motorways and expressways are required to attach a small device - called the “GO-Box” - to their windscreen. Note that this includes larger private vehicles such as motor caravans that are above the weight limit. The Go-Box uses the high frequency range to communicate with the around 400 fixed-installation toll points covering the whole of Austria, making it possible to effect an automatic toll deduction without slowing down or stopping the flow of traffic. The on-board devices can be obtained for a one-off handling small fee at approximately 220 sales centres in Austria and in neighbouring countries, or via the Internet. For further information, visit the website at: http://www.go-maut.at. There is a ban on all lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight (without trailer) or over 3.5 tonnes (with trailer) which applies throughout the year on all motorways on Saturdays between 15:00 hours and 24:00 hours and all day on Sundays and Public Holidays. Lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight are also prohibited from using motorways throughout the year between 22:00 hours and 05:00 hours. There is a ban on lorries over 7.5 tonnes laden weight overtaking on several motorways. Drivers should look out for special prohibiting signs. Take special care when driving in winter, especially in the mountains. Icy roads kill dozens of inexperienced drivers every year. Avoid speeding and driving at night and make sure the car is in a good condition. Motorway bridges are particularly prone to ice. Slow down to 80 km/h when going over them. Winter tires are strongly recommended by Austrian motoring clubs. When there is snowfall, winter tires or snow chains are required by law on some mountain passes, and occasionally also on motorways. This is indicated by a round traffic sign depicting a white tire or chain on a blue background. It is always a good idea to take a pair of snow chains and a warm blanket in the boot. Drivers often get stuck in their car for several hours and sometimes suffer from hypothermia.
You are strongly advised to carry ID documents at all times; this could be in the form of a photocopy of the data page of your passport, if you prefer to leave the passport in a safe place, eg at your hotel.
Holders of valid passports from most developed countries do not need an entry visa for stays up to 90 days long.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to Austria. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. If you are planning to visit forested areas, you are advised to seek medical advice before you travel about inoculations for tick borne encephalitis, which is endemic from spring to autumn.
If you are planning a skiing holiday it is advisable to contact the Austrian National Tourist Office for advice on weather and safety conditions before travelling. You should be aware that off-piste skiing is highly dangerous. All safety instructions should be followed meticulously given the danger of avalanches in some areas and in particular in times of heavy snow accumulation. Avalanche information can be obtained by telephoning (Tel: +43 512 581839) or by visiting the following website: http://www.lawine.at or this one: http://www.avalanches.org. Extra caution should also be taken during the Spring season, as this is when avalanches most commonly occur.
Check the list of Embassies of Austria to the World or Embassies of Other Nations to Austria.

BRIEF HISTORY

The modern-day territory of Austria was originally known as the Celtic kingdom of Noricum. It was occupied by the Romans during the reign of Augustus and made the province Noricum in 16 BC. During the 14th and 15th century Austria continued to expand its territory until it reached the position of a European imperial power at the end of the 15th century. Just two years before the abolition of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, in 1804 the Empire of Austria was founded, which was transformed in 1867 into the dual-monarchy Austria-Hungary. 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 that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. Following the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995, some Austrians have called into question this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999.

GEOGRAPHY

Area: total: 83,870 sq km; land: 82,444 sq km; water: 1,426 sq km.
Boundaries: Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland.
Climate: temperate continental climate. Summers last from early June to mid-September and can be hot in some years and rainy in others. Day-time temperatures in July and August are around 25° C (77° F), but can often reach 35° C (95° F). Winters are cold in the lowlands and very harsh in the Alpine region with temperatures often dropping below -10° C (14° F). Winters last from December to March (longer at higher altitudes). In the Alpine region large temperature fluctuations occur all year round and nights are chilly even in high summer. The northern Alps are generally a lot wetter than the rest of the country. The South East (Styria and Carinthia) is dry and sunny. The area around Vienna often experiences strong easterly winds. .
Terrain: in the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping.
Natural Resources: oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower.
Natural Hazards: landslides; avalanches; earthquakes.
Environmental Problems: some forest degradation caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe.

PEOPLE

Population: 8,000,000.
Median Age: total: 40.9 years; male: 39.8 years; female: 42 years.
Life Expectancy: male: 76.17 years, female: 82.11 years.
Fertility Rate: 1.36 children born per woman.
Major Ethnic Groups: Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%.
Religions: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12%.
Languages: German (official nationwide), Slovene (official in Carinthia), Croatian (official in Burgenland), Hungarian (official in Burgenland).

GOVERNMENT

Type: federal republic (Republic of Austria, Republik Oesterreich).
Capital City: Vienna.
Administrative Divisions: 9 states (Bundeslaender, singular - Bundesland).
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time). Check current time.
National Holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955).
Chief of State: President.
Head of Government: Chancellor.
Cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the president on the advice of the chancellor.
Legislative Branch: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung consists of Federal Council or Bundesrat (62 members) and the National Council or Nationalrat (183 seats).

ECONOMY

Austria, with its well-developed market economy and high standard of living, is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. The Austrian economy also benefits greatly from strong commercial relations, especially in the banking and insurance sectors, with central, eastern, and southeastern Europe. The economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector. Membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to the new EU economies. The current government has successfully pursued a comprehensive economic reform program, aimed at streamlining government, creating a more competitive business environment, further strengthening Austria's attractiveness as an investment location, pursuing a balanced budget, and implementing effective pension reforms. Weak domestic consumption and slow growth in Europe have held the economy to low growth rates. To meet increased competition from both EU and Central European countries, particularly the new EU members, Austria will need to continue restructuring, emphasizing knowledge-based sectors of the economy, and encouraging greater labor flexibility and greater labor participation by its aging population.
GDP: $265.8 billion, Growth Rate: 1.8%, GDP Per Capita: $32,500.
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Population below poverty line: 5.9%.
Agriculture Products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, wine, fruit; dairy products, cattle, pigs, poultry; lumber.
Major Industries: construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism.
Export Commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, paper and paperboard, metal goods, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs.
Export Partners: Germany 31.2%, Italy 8.7%, US 5.8%, Switzerland 5.2%, France 4.2%.
Import Commodities: machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, metal goods, oil and oil products; foodstuffs.
Import Partners: Germany 45.9%, Italy 6.6%, Switzerland 4.5%.
Currency: euro (EUR). Check current rate of exchange.

TRANSPORT

Airports: 25
Roadways: 133,718 km.
Railways: 6,011 km.
Waterways: 358 km.
Major Ports and Terminals: Enns, Krems, Linz, Vienna.