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General information



Population : 8,7 milion people (96th in the World,20th in Europe)
Total Area : 83,879 km^2 (113th in the World,20th in Europe)
Official languages : German
Official currency : Euro(EUR)
Capital : Vienna
Population density : 104 people/km^2 (106th in the World,25th in Europe)
Top 5 biggest cities : Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck

Austria became a federal, representative democratic republic through the Federal Constitution of 1920. The political system of the Second Republic with its nine states is based on the constitution of 1920, amended in 1929, which was reenacted on 1 May 1945.
These states are then divided into districts (Bezirke) and statutory cities (Statutarstädte). Districts are subdivided into municipalities (Gemeinden). Statutory Cities have the competencies otherwise granted to both districts and municipalities.
The states are not mere administrative divisions but have some legislative authority distinct from the federal government, e.g. in matters of culture, social care, youth and nature protection, hunting, building, and zoning ordinances. In recent years, it has been discussed whether today it is appropriate for a small country to maintain ten parliaments.


National sport : Football




Alpine skiing



Ski Jumping




National animal : Steinadler (Aquila chrysaetos)



National Flower : Edelweiß (Leontopodium alpinum)



Enzian (Gentiana verna)



National Instruments : Steirische Harmonika



Flügelhorn



Teufelsgeige






The significance of the 26th of October

October 26 has been the date of Austria's National Day since 1965. On 26th October 1955 the Austrian parliament passed a law that commited Austria to permanent neutrality. This was a condition for the end of the Allied and Soviet occupation of Austria after World War II, the country had declared its permanent neutrality, which has since become one of the fundamental values of Austrian foreign policy. One day before the declaration, on October 25, 1955, the last foreign troops left the country, which had been occupied by the four allied powers (Soviet Union, United States, Great Britain and France) since the end of World War II.





Time to take a break from mythology and go towards something that you all heard about, hope that you knew that it came from Austria, if not.. this is the chance. The famous story of Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria better known as “Sisi” and her husband Emperor Franz Joseph I.



Sisi is surely the most known Empress in Europe (at least) , her life being put in stage, in ballet, in films, in television (I have to admit that I was watching Princess Sisi cartoons when I was little), in literature and even music or arhitecture. Seeing all the different portraits of her life it is kinda hard to put all the info in a single article so I prefer to give you general information and from there you can look into more by yourself.

She was born in a Bavarian royal family, named the house of Wittelsbach in 1837. She married Franz Joseph I at age sixteen geting into the Habsburg family being the longest serving Empress of Austria, with 44 years.

She was well known for her beauty and her physical regime maintaining 50 kg at 172cm for the rest of her life , despite having 4 children. It is said her health wasn’t that good, one of the main reason being her bad relationship with the mother-in-law Archduchess Sophie. This is one of the reasons she traveled a lot, trying to stay away from the life of the palace as long as posible.

Regarding the marriage, Franz Joseph was passionately in love with his wife, but she did not reciprocate his feelings fully and felt increasingly stifled by the rigidness of court life. He was an unimaginative and sober man, a political reactionary who was still guided by his mother and her adherence to the strict Spanish Court Ceremonial regarding both his public and domestic life, whereas Elisabeth inhabited a different world altogether. Restless to the point of hyperactivity, naturally introverted, and emotionally distant from her husband, she fled him as well as her duties of life at court, avoiding them both as much as she could. He indulged her wanderings, but constantly and unsuccessfully tried to tempt her into a more domestic life with him.

One of the most important political event during their marriage was The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 that created the dual monarchy of Austria–Hungary. Andrassy was made the first Hungarian prime minister and in return, he saw that Franz Joseph and Elisabeth were officially crowned King and Queen of Hungary in June.

She died in 1898 being assassinated. Upon her death, Franz Joseph founded the Order of Elizabeth in memory of her, it is said that she thinked of her until the last minutes of her life.
There are numerous sites , streets, railways named after her . Probably the most known one is the Elisabeth Bridge over the Danube river, in Budapesta.

Hope I made you curious, I for one heard all of her story.. but you will see where and how later. I invite you to come with questions or recomand materials for the ones that want to research more… maybe movies or literature.









Top 5 visited places by tourists


Salzburg


*Hohensalzburg Fortress


Situated in central Austria, near the German border, Salzburg is probably best known as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Travelers come to Austria’s fourth-largest city to view the sights that inspired such unforgettable music. With its hill-topped medieval fortress, picturesque Altstadt old town and breath-taking Alpine scenery, Salzburg is one of the best places to visit in Austria.



Salzkammergut




Salzkammergut is a beautiful resort area that starts with Salzburg and heads east into a land of lakes. Sparkling clean lakes, green hills, wonderful mountains, romantic towns like St.Wolfgang and Hallstatt make up this region.


Innsbruck








Innsbruck, with a name that translates as “bridge over the inn” is an all-season tourist destination. It is internationally known for its winter sports, having hosted the Winter Olympics in 1964 and 1976. But this Tyrolean city offers more than just great skiing. It offers a good mix of cathedrals, such as Hofkirche, which houses the tomb of Emperor Maximilian I; the Schloss Ambras, which has a collection of paintings and armor; and the Bell Museum, a nod to 400 years of bell-making.


Zell am See





Zell am See, located in the state of Salzburg, is another well known tourist destination, famous for its mountains and lakes. Once governed by French troops back in the early 19th century, Zell am See has hosted several international skiing competitions. Off the ski slopes, one of its most famous attractions is the Romanesque St. Hippolyte’s Church, with an elevated walkway that dates back to the early 16th century. Zell am See is also a good starting point for the Grossglockner Alpine Road, a panoramic road famous for its high alpine scenery.
Wachau




With the Danube River running through it, the Wachau Valley is a popular tourist destination in southern Austria. The town of Dunstein is well known as the place where Duke Leopold V held the British king, Richard the Lion-Hearted, prisoner for several years in the late 12th century while the town of Melk is renowned for its beautiful Benedictine abbey. Wachau is also known for its wines, as well as fruits such as apricots. The valley has more than 500 historic monuments, so tourists are going to have to make some tough choices.






Top 3 locations suggested by the locals

Grüner See (Tragöß)





Grüner See (Green Lake) is a lake in Styria, Austria in a village named Tragöß. The lake is surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains and forests. The name "Green Lake" originated because of its emerald-green water. The clean and clear water comes from the snowmelt from the karst mountains and has a temperature of 6–7 °C. During winter, the lake is only 1–2 m deep and the surrounding area is used as a county park.

Formarinsee and the Rote Wand






The Rote Wand ("Red Wall") is a mountain in the Lechquellen Mountains range of Vorarlberg, in western Austria. The mountain is a popular hiking destination, but designated only for experienced, sure-footed mountain walkers. The route can be accessed from the Alpe Laguz, Alpe Klesenza, the Freiburger hut and the Formarinsee lake. All routes lead via a very steep climb up the north-West flank, via the north ridge to the summit.


Kaisertal






The Kaisertal is a striking mountain valley between the mountain chains of the Zahmer and Wilder Kaiser in Austria's Kaisergebirge range in the Tyrol. In the ravine on the valley floor flows the stream of the Kaiserbach , which discharges north of Kufstein into the Inn (river). It is home to several, scenic isolated farms . A popular calendar image is St. Anthony's Chapel on the Kaisertal footpath in the centre of the valley.






Inventions Austria gave to the world


*Flint (Ferrocerium)!
By Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1903.




*The doppler effect!
By Christian Doppler in 1842.




*Kaplan Turbine!
By Viktor Kaplan in 1913.




*Hypothesis of Gondwana!
By Eduard Suess in 1861.




*Psychoanalysis!
By Sigmund Freud in 1896.







Famous people from Austria

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. Born in Salzburg, he showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard instruments and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. At 17, Mozart was engaged as a musician at the Salzburg court, but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position. While visiting Vienna in 1781, he was dismissed from his Salzburg position. During his final years in Vienna, he composed many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas, and portions of the Requiem, which was largely unfinished at the time of his death.
(1756-1791)

Johann Strauß - was an Austrian composer of light music, particularly dance music and operettas. He composed over 500 waltzes, polkas, quadrilles, and other types of dance music, as well as several operettas and a ballet. In his lifetime, he was known as "The Waltz King", and was largely then responsible for the popularity of the waltz in Vienna during the 19th century.
(1825-1899)

Maria Theresa - was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands and Parma. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany and Holy Roman Empress.
(1717-1780)

Arnold Schwarzenegger - is an Austrian-American actor, producer, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist, politician, and former professional bodybuilder who holds both Austrian and American citizenship. He served two terms as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 to 2011.
(born 1947)

Gustav Klimt - was an Austrian symbolist painter and one of the most prominent members of the Vienna Secession movement. Klimt is noted for his paintings, murals, sketches, and other objets d'art. Klimt's primary subject was the female body, and his works are marked by a frank eroticism. In addition to his figurative works, which include allegories and portraits, he painted landscapes. Among the artists of the Vienna Secession, Klimt was the most influenced by Japanese art and its methods.
(1862-1918)








Traditional food


Wiener Schnitzel



Traditionally the Viennese schnitzel is made from veal but very often it is also available with pork, chicken or turkey meat.

Tafelspitz



Tafelspitz is a big chunk of beef boiled in a vegetable broth until it is tender and soft. The root vegetables you boil and serve with it give it an additional traditional and earthy taste and the bread dumplings round it off really well.

Schweinsbraten with Knödel




Beuschel



Beuschel can be made from nearly all lungs and other innards such as heart, tongue and kidney of sheep, goat, beef and pork. Regionally typical is either the restriction to lung alone or the combination with the other innards. Traditional is a varied preparation as ragout from Kalbslunge, depending on the recipe supplements with heart, spleen, liver and / or tongue.

Tyroler gröst




The Tyrolean Gröstl is a traditional Austrian pancake dish, usually made of cooked potatoes and cut beef or pork (shoulder or scoop) roasted in a pan together with chopped onion in butter. Seasoned with salt, pepper, marjoram, caraway and parsley.

Fiakergulasch



Traditional type of gulash.

Schlutzkrapfen



The dough is usually made of white flour or buckwheat flour, durum semolina, mixed with eggs and olive oil. Typical fillings may include cheese (such as ricotta, quark, mozarella, or Bitto), spinach, or mushrooms (e.g., porcini, chanterelles, champignons). There are also recipes with potato, meat, red beet, or sauerkraut filling.

Traditional deserts

Palatschinken




Kaiserschmarrn



Kaiserschmarrn or Kaiserschmarren is a shredded pancake, which has its name from the Austrian emperor (Kaiser) Franz Joseph I, who was very fond of this kind of fluffy shredded pancake.

Salzburger Nockerl



Salzburger Nockerl is a sweet soufflé served as a dessert, a culinary speciality in the Austrian city of Salzburg.


Sachertorte



Sachertorte is a specific type of chocolate cake, or torte, invented by Austrian Franz Sacher in 1832 for Prince Wenzel von Metternich in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties. 5 December is National Sachertorte Day.

Apfelstrudel



Apple strudel consists of an oblong strudel pastry jacket with an apple filling inside. The filling is made of grated cooking apples (usually of a tart, crisp and aromatic variety, such as Winesap apples), sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and bread crumbs.

Traditional drinks

Jagertee



Jagertee (also Jägertee) is an alcoholic beverage made by mixing overproof rum with black tea, red wine, plum brandy, orange juice and various spices.

Almdudler



The original Almdudler is a sweetened carbonated beverage made of herbal extracts. Almdudler has been called the "national drink of Austria". Its popularity in Austria is second only to Coca-Cola. About 80 million litres of the beverage are produced per year.







Interesting facts about Austria:

1.Austria is the only European Union nation that is not a member of NATO.
2.Founded in 1752 as an animal menagerie by Emperor Franz Stephan, Vienna’s Schönbrunn Tiergarten is the oldest zoo in the world.
3.Austria’s flag is one of, if not the, oldest national banners in the world. In 1191, Duke Leopold V of Austria’s tunic became blood spattered and, upon removal of his wide sash, a white band was revealed. The red-white-red color combination was then adopted as his banner.
4.Austria’s highest point is the Großglockner at 3,798 m.
5.The Austrian Eisriesenwelt Caves, called “the world of the ice giants,” is the largest accessible ice cave system in the world.



Now it is time for my little surprise… If you have payed attention, there is nothing about Vienna at the tourist locations and I will tell you why.


Will start by saying that I visited Vienna like 2 months ago so what better tourist view for the city then from a tourist. I have to admit that I didn’t stay so long, only 1 night but had time and energy to visit as much as posible. Next summer will enjoy coming back for a longer time and maybe to enjoy a good beer with austrian for this game or other erepublik player that are there.

I reached Vienna at 2 PM ,after my train was late like 7 hours, long story.. would prefer to avoid it, in Wien Hauptbahnhof station so the start wasn’t that good I could say. The 1st thing that hit me was the cold and the rain, cause if you start that well, why not continue so I put some additional clothes on me and decided that nothign would stop me from visiting. Altough my schedule was pretty off the chart I decided to start with Schönbrunn Palace so I took the metro on the route : Hauptbahnhof - Karlsplatz ; Karlsplatz - Schönbrunn. Probably the 1st moment I said that finally the good time can start was when I 1st saw Schönbrunn Palace.


*Yep, that is me in the left corner

So I went , bought tickets for a tour and started to visit the inside of the Palace. The tour took like 40-50 minutes and it was totally worth it, I can recomand it to everyone. You have the chance to see and learn many interesting things especially from the life of Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria better known as “Sisi” and her husband Emperor Franz Joseph I.

After the tour I started to visit the gardens , up to the Gloriette.





And like many tourists I made a lot of photos, here is one of my best.



I had a little to walk uphill..



But finally reached the Gloriette.



After like a total of 2-3 hours at the Palace I said it is time to head back to the hotel (for checking in), but not before tacking some more photos of the marvelous gardens and flowers.







Probably my biggest regret is not having time to visit the Zoo and the Spanish Riding School, but next time they will be top of my list.


Now come a few boring hours when I simply went back to the hotel, checked in and slept for like 2 hours. To reach the hotel I took the metro from Schönbrunn to Pilgramgasse and walked like 7-8 minutes.

At almost 7 PM I started moving again and reached Mariahilfer straße to go towards the center, were there were all the important buildings. So here come like 4 hours of walking and visiting . I will just put a few pictures for you to enjoy.



*Red is when I left, Green is when I was going back.


*St. Stephen's Cathedral



*Hofburg

While walking from a site to another in the center I saw from a distance something that caught my eye and had to go there.


*Rathaus and the little head is me



After that I stoped for a beer and something to eat (yep, this was the 1st time I ate something that day, there was no other time) in a pub and near 11:30 PM I was back into the hotel.

So the 1st day was a succes even if it had a harder start but I enjoyed it at its max. Never give up inspite the bad luck you sometimes walk into.

The 2nd day I woke up at 8:30 AM and was ready to go back visiting , had the bus towards Budapesta at 1:30 PM so no time to lose. Went over towards the museum of natural history , that is really huge, the 3rd of its kind in the world.






*The museum


*Probably the guard at the entrence
For the next 3 hours and a half I visited the museum.. and it wasn’t enought time, will have to come again. This is what you can visit:



I won’t put anymore pictures from inside the museum, you can explore it yourself and I advise you to do it.

So now It is 12:15 PM and I must go towards the bus station in Erdberg. So this is what I did .. on foot of course.



Had the oportunity to stop and make a few photos also.





At 13:15 I was at the bus station. With a total of 150 euro spent in 24 hours (it includes hotel, food and tours for 2 people). Overall it was a good visit and I have 2 regret .. 1st that I didn’t have enough time to visit and the 2nd that I didn’t have time to stop and eat a donner kebab from the wagons near the center, but as I said .. I will be back.





My 5 words when I hear about Austria:
#Schnitzel,#Vienna,#Schönbrunn,#Maria Theresa,#walz


What are your 5?




Special thanks to the eAustrian community, it is pretty hard to name every person so you will have a ss with the common message :



Also some messages from them:

Luis Grindl:



wschwabe:


Waiting for feedback , comments , opinions and if there is anyone that thinks I missed something , I could do something better or just wants to help me with this project , PM me !

Special thanks to Kariky for the spacers !!



Hope you enjoyed and see you next time!

P.S. Article 21/74!



P.S.2. Don't forget to push the flags !