Lyla Lindsey
Austria is a federal republic consisting of nine federal states, also called provinces or regions. The country's geography is dominated by the Alps, which form the backbone of the country, with nearly all Austrian territory draining into the Danube River system. The country can be divided into three unequal geographical areas: the mountainous region of the Alps, the Pannonian plain in the east, and the Bohemian Forest in the north. The federal states of Austria are: Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, and the city-state of Vienna.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geographical areas | 3 unequal geographical areas |
| Largest geographical area | The Alps (62%) |
| Eastern area | Pannonian plain |
| North of the Danube River | Bohemian Forest |
| Central regions | Salzburg, Tyrol, Carinthia |
| Southernmost region | Carinthia |
| Wine-producing regions | Burgenland, Lower Austria, Southern Styria |
| Cultural city | Vienna |
| Capitals of other regions | Graz, Linz, Bregenz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck, Eisenstadt, St. Pelten, Salzburg |
| Federal states | Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, Styria, Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Carinthia |
| Most mountainous province | Tyrol |
| Most densely populated federal state | Vienna |
| Parts of Austria suitable for settlement | Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, Styria |
| Least mountainous landscape | Southeast of the low Leithagebirge |
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What You'll Learn
The Alps
The Austrian Alps stretch from Vorarlberg Rätikon in the west to the Gutenstein Alps in the east, and are characterised by towering peaks, gentle alpine meadows, and ancient forests. The valleys of the Inn, Salzach, and Enns rivers mark their northern boundary, and the Drau river marks their southern border. The Inn and the Salzach are two of the mighty rivers that divide the Alps. The highest elevations of the Alps are in the west, with the Grossglockner rising 3,798 metres toward the west.
The majority of Austria's areas of permanent settlement are in the Danube Valley and the lowlands or hilly regions north, east, and south of the Alps, where approximately two-thirds of the population lives. The higher the Alps are, the less inhabitable they become due to soil, microclimate, and vegetation. However, the lower and broader the Alpine valleys are, the more populated they become. The cities of Salzburg and Innsbruck are located in the Austrian Alps, as is the province of Tirol, which is known for its mountains and excellent ski infrastructure. The Salzkammergut lakes are also located in the Alps.
The Austrian Alps are a popular destination for outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. The peak season from December to March is ideal for skiing and winter sports, while the warmer months from June to October are perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities.
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Lakes
Austria is a land of lakes. The majority of its lakes were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch, around 2,600,000 to 11,700 years ago, when glacial erosion scooped out mountain lakes in the central Alpine district. Today, these lakes are famous for their beauty and water quality.
Carinthia, Austria's southernmost region, is known for its lakes, warm rivers, castles of ancient knights, and sweet wines. It is said to have around 1,200 lakes, 200 of which are swimmable. The capital of Carinthia, Klagenfurt, sits on Wörthersee, the largest of the Carinthian lakes at 10 miles long. The region is also home to Klopeiner See, one of the warmest lakes in Europe, and Faaker See, which has been likened to the Everglades. Carinthia also boasts numerous bathhouses, with saunas, steam rooms, pools, and treatments, as well as hotels with similar facilities.
The Salzkammergut region is another popular lake area in Austria. Located in central Austria, it extends to the western part of the state of Kärnten (Carinthia) and the Alpine blocks of the state of Steiermark (Styria). The region includes Lake Attersee, which is known for its artsy, laid-back vibe and its "Little Venice" area full of Mediterranean-style villas. It also encompasses Lake Mondsee, Schafberg, and Drachenwand, which offer the perfect mix of lake and mountain scenery. The Attersee-Attergau region combines mountains, lakes, and culture, with hiking, swimming, and event-hopping opportunities.
Lake Constance (Bodensee) is another well-known Austrian lake, located in the western part of the country. It is the largest lake in Austria, although parts of it also extend into Germany and Switzerland. The Constance Lake region combines urban attractions with natural beauty. The lake is surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and enjoys around 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. The nearby city of Bregenz, located on the shores of Lake Constance in Vorarlberg, is one of the major cities in the area.
Other notable lakes in Austria include Lake Weissensee, nestled in the Gailtal Alps, which offers clear emerald waters and excellent hiking and biking trails, and Wolfgangsee, a culturally rich lake surrounded by small towns and villages.
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Rivers
Austria's landscape is largely defined by its Alpine ranges and the rivers that flow through them. The country's geography can be divided into three unequal areas: the Alps, the Pannonian plain in the east, and the Bohemian Forest north of the Danube River. The Danube Valley is the country's most significant valley, with nearly all Austrian territory draining into the Danube River system. The Danube is the only major European river flowing eastward and has been integral to the Austrian economy, connecting the North Sea to the Black Sea since the completion of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal in 1992. The Danube flows through the cities of Libz, Krems, Vienna, and Ybbs.
The Inn River, which flows through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, is one of the Danube's major tributaries. The Inn has historical significance, referenced in Greek and Roman literature, and is used by locals for their daily tasks. The Inn flows into the Danube in the town of Haiming between Braunau and Burghausen. The Salzach River, known for its clear waters, fast current, and chilled temperatures, also joins the Inn in Haiming and is the main river in the Salzburg region.
The Mur River is another major river in Austria, flowing through Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia. The Mur has a strong current that has been used to power mills, and it is believed to carry small amounts of gold. The river has scenic banks and passes by castles and chateaus. The Thaya River, which flows between Lower Austria and the Czech Republic, is another river with scenic banks, passing by many castles.
The Morava River, a tributary of the Danube, flows between Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland. The river is the main source of water for agricultural settlements in Austria and is unique for its black water. The Gurk River, which originates in the Nock Mountains, is the longest-running river in the Carinthia region and is known for its cold water, which is too cold to support aquatic life.
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Federal states
Austria is a federal republic made up of nine federal states. These states are also referred to as provinces. The federal states of Austria are:
- Upper Austria
- Lower Austria
- Vienna
- Burgenland
- Styria
- Vorarlberg
- Tyrol
- Carinthia
- Salzburg
Each Austrian federal state has its own elected legislature, the federal state parliament, and a federal state government (Landesregierung) led by a governor (Landeshauptmann or Landeshauptfrau). The federal state constitution determines how the seats in the federal state government are assigned to political parties, with most federal states using a system of proportional representation based on the number of delegates in the federal state parliament. The governor is elected by the federal state parliament and is typically the leader of the majority party or coalition in the federal state parliament.
The federal states have some autonomy and can pass laws that fall within the limits of the constitution. However, their legislative powers are limited, and national law regulates criminal law, civil law, corporate law, economic law, defence, educational matters, academia, telecommunications, and much of the healthcare system. The judiciary is also exclusively a national matter. The federal states have their own systems of financial management and can levy taxes and rates, although only the federal government can levy important taxes such as income tax and value-added tax.
The federal states are endowed with a smaller degree of autonomy than American states or German lands. Nevertheless, Austrians tend to identify strongly with their respective federal states and defend their independent governance. The present-day federal states arose from the crown lands of Austria-Hungary, a multiethnic realm whose German-speaking core became the Republic of Austria after World War I.
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Cities
Austria is divided into three unequal geographical areas, with the largest part of the country (62%) occupied by the Alps. The country's landscape is predominantly mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming its backbone. The Central Alps, which include the Ötztal Alps and the High Tauern, are the largest and highest ranges in Austria. The Northern Calcareous Alps and the Southern Calcareous Alps are predominantly composed of limestone and dolomite. The country's highest mountain, Großglockner, rises to a height of 3,797 m or 12,460 ft.
The majority of Austria's permanent settlements are in the Danube valley and the lowlands or hilly regions north, east, and south of the Alps. The higher the altitude in the Alps, the less habitable the region becomes. The lower and broader Alpine valleys, on the other hand, tend to be more densely populated. The country's population density is similar to that of the former Yugoslavia, with ninety-three inhabitants per square kilometre.
Austria's capital, Vienna, is also its largest city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vienna is located where the Danube emerges from the mountains into the drier plains. It is the country's main cultural city and is known for its diverse population, including around 1.27 million foreign-born residents. The cities of Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck all have populations exceeding 100,000, while the rest of Austria's cities have fewer than 100,000 inhabitants.
Graz, the second-most populous city in Austria, is a university town in the state of Styria with six universities and a population of 273,838. Linz, the European Capital of Culture in 2009, is the third-largest city, with a population of 198,181. It is located in Upper Austria and, like Vienna, is situated on the Danube River. Salzburg, the fourth-largest city, is known for its proximity to the Austrian Alps and its Baroque architecture. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Innsbruck, another famous tourist destination, is popular for winter sports and has hosted the Winter Olympics twice.
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