Discover - Austria
 Austria is a wonderfully uncomplicated place to visit: it's in the heart of Europe, most people speak English and there is a spectacular combination of cultural and natural attractions. And, like everywhere, there are national peculiarities that you will not find described in standard guidebooks. Which is a pity, because the following - quintessentially Austrian – expressions, institutions and mannerisms are integral parts of the real Austrian experience.
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.
Austria has few peers as a year-round holiday destination, with plenty of winter sports in the Alps, some of the most impressive and overblown architecture in Europe and an unrivalled musical tradition that even The Sound of Music couldn't sully. Austria's cities have plenty to engage visitors: Vienna is the capital, hub of the country's musical life and littered with beautiful buildings; music, art and architecture reach baroque perfection in Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace; Innsbruck's snow-capped peaks frame fascinating historic buildings.
Nature & Geography
Austria is located in a temperate climatic zone with a Central European climate influenced by the Atlantic climate. The four seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) each have typical temperature and climatic characters. SSDue to the topographical diversity and the relatively large West-East expanse, there are three differentiating climatic regions:
East: Pannonian climate with a continental influence – low precipitation, hot summers but only moderately cold winters.
Alpine Regions: Alpine climate - high precipitation ( except inner alpine valley regions such as the upper Inntal), short summers, long winters.
Remainder of the country: transient climate influenced by the Atlantic (in the West) and a continental influence in the South-east.
Fauna & Flora
Austria's topographic diversity accounts for a great variety of flora and fauna, including endemic species that are under preservation.
Fauna
In Austria there is a predominantly Central European fauna: deer, stag, rabbit, pheasant, fox, badger, marten, partridge.
 Native to the alpine regions are the chamois, groundhog, eagle and mountain jackdaw. Characteristic of the Pannonian fauna is the vast bird population in the reed beds of Lake Neusiedl (heron, spoonbill, scooper, wild goose, and many more).
In recent years, Austria is home again to a small bear population, which can mainly be found in the heavily wooded southern and central mountainous regions.
Flora
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.
Tips & Hints
Capital City
Vienna
Area
83,858 sq km
32,378 sq miles
Population
8,022,300
Time Zone
GMT/UTC +1 ()
Languages
German (official)
 Religion
88% Roman Catholic, 6% Protestant
When To Go
For warm weather, aim for the months between April and October. In the summer high season (July to August) crowds are bigger, prices higher and temperatures in cities can rise to uncomfortable levels. Austrians also take their summer break at this time and many famous institutions close down. Consequently, June and September are also busy months for tourism, and are quite often the best times for city trips and hiking in the Alps.
During winter you'll find the cities less crowded and the hotel prices lower (except over Christmas and Easter), but it can get bitterly cold. The length of the skiing season depends on the altitude of the resort - skiing is possible on glaciers nearly year-round. Alpine resorts are very quiet from late April to mid-June, and in November and early December. School children have week-long breaks over Christmas and during February, making it a good ti
me to avoid the pistes.
Festivals occur year-round, although the majority of music festivals are held between May and October. |
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