Like most European countries, Austria looks back on a very eventful history. Yet there are some elements of the Austrian character that haven’t changed much over the centuries: the partiality for indulgence, beauty, and cultivation have always been driving forces in the country’s past and present...

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.

Austria's topographic diversity accounts for a great variety of flora and fauna, including endemic species that are under preservation.

Fauna

 

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.

To preserve the beauty of the Alps all countries have created a number of national parks. Generally spoken a National Park is a large-scale environmental conservation program that protects the entire fauna and flora of a region. As such it is a measure of a nation's willingness to forego commercial and industrial exploitation on behalf of nature. Join guided tours or explore the incomparable landscapes of these parks on your own for nature experiences way off the beaten path.

Austria has six National parks, almost 60 nature preserves and „nature parks“, about 35 „hot spots“ for bird-watching, 20 Alpine gardens and many other opportunities to admire nature in its undisturbed, pristine beauty

One of the best known protected territories in Austria is the Hohe Tauern National Park, covering huge areas in three provinces: Salzburg, Tirol and Carinthia. There are few regions in Austria offering so many highlights. The difference in elevation from the deepest valley to the impressive peak of the "Grossglockner", Austria’s highest mountain, adds up to almost 8530 feet. A visitors center, several learning paths and spectacular hiking paths await discovery. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road, an attraction in itself, offers breathtaking views for those traveling by car.

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Who doesn't know them, Austria's 'great' sons and daughters? They have left their mark all across the centuries in politics, art, science and sport.

Bachmann, Ingeborg (1926 - 1973)

Berg, Alban (1885 - 1935)

Bruckner, Anton (1824 - 1896)

Berg, Werner (1904 - 1981)

Einem, Gottfried von (1918 - 1996)

Freud, Sigmund (1856 - 1939)

Handke, Peter (born 1942)

Haydn, Joseph (1732 - 1809)

Hundertwasser, Friedensreich (1928 - 2000)

Kálmán, Emmerich (1882 - 1953)

Kauffmann, Angelika (1741 - 1807)

Klimt, Gustav (1862 - 1918)

Kogelnik, Kiki (1935 - 1997)

Kolig, Anton (1886 - 1950)

Lavant, Christine (1915-1973)

Lehár, Franz (1870 - 1948)

Mahler, Gustav (1860 - 1911)

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus (1756 - 1791)

Musil, Robert (1880 - 1942)

Schönberg, Arnold (1874 - 1951)

Schubert, Franz (1797 - 1828)

Stolz, Robert (1880 - 1975)

Strauß, Johann - Father (1804 - 1849)

Strauß, Johann (1825 - 1899)

Suppé, Franz von (1819 - 1895)

Turrini, Peter (born 1944)

Webern, Anton von (1883 - 1945)

Wolf, Hugo (1860 - 1903)

Austria also has much to offer to tantalize the taste buds. I have included a couple of recipes.

		Wiener Schnitzel
		Ingredients four escalopes of 120 grams each For the breading flour 2 eggs breadcrumbs salt oil or lard for frying
Recipe Pound the meat thin and cut the fringes carefully. Salt lightly, bread them and put them in a saucepan and fry both sides of them in hot fat. There should be enough fat in the saucepan so that the schnitzel float in the saucepan and do not touch the bottom. Breading: Prepare three plates: Put flour on one, breadcrumbs on a second and two eggs that have been whisked. Cover the meat first in the flour, then in the egg and finally in the breadcrumbs.
	Erdäpfelsalat
	Ingredients 1 kg potatos 1 red onion vinegar oil salt pepper
Recipe Do not cook the potatoes too long and cut into slices. Add small onion pieces. Mix a marinade by using vinegar, oil, salt and pepper and pour it over the salad. Let it sit a little bit before serving.
		Hope that you have enjoyed our travel.