Explore Austria

Location:
Austria

Currency:
euro (EUR)

Communications:
The telephone code for Austria: + 43

About:
Inhabited since the Stone Age, the Austrian area has a long history of occupations, territorial struggles, war and rulers. The most significant rulers, the Germanic Habsburgs, ruled Austria for 640 years. Their imperial culture was centered in Vienna, a true masterpiece of a city.

That Austrian Empire (Habsburgs) were completely dismantled by 1918, at the end of World War I. During World War II, Adolf Hitler annexed all that remained into the German Third Reich. That war ended in 1945, with Hitler defeated, and the Allies began a brief occupation and reconstruction effort.

On May 15th, 1955, the Austrian State Treaty proclaimed Austria to be an independent republic, and its modern history began in earnest.

Landlocked in central Europe, Austria is today one of the continent's most influential countrys in both economic and political issues. Over the last half-century, the extraordinary Alpine scenery and cultural attractions of Austria and its cities, have transformed it into a major tourism destination.

Perhaps no one country can match the musical resumé of Austria. It's the homeland of legendary composers like Brahms, Haydn, Mahler, Mozart, Schubert and the Strausses - both father and son. In addition, the German-born Ludwig van Beethoven lived in Vienna for most of his adult life.

The current biography of Austria (the home of the Viennese Waltz, the Vienna Boys Choir and dancing Lipizzaner horses), is one of progress and stability.

Combine that with an abundance of natural beauty, spectacular mountain vistas, castles, cosmopolitan cities, the Danube River Valley, music festivals, and of course - world class Alpine skiing and resorts - and Austria paints a very pleasant picture, indeed.