Austria

Located in Central Europe, Austria is bordered by Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland.

Capital is Vienna.

Languages spoken are German, Croatian, Hungarian, Slovenian, and Turkish.

Population, 9,145,268. Size, 83,871 km^2.

Currency is the Euro.

The majority religion is Roman Catholic Christian.

Major Cities include Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.

National dish is Wiener Schnitzel. Principal crops include sugar beets, wheat, corn (maize), barley, potatoes, apples, and grapes.

Austria has cold winters and warm to hot summers. The Alpine, mountainous regions have freezing and snow in winter. In the summer, they are cooler and experience a lot of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Austria is regularly named as one of the countries with the highest standard of living in the world. Austria is one of the 14 wealthiest countries in the world. Started in 803, the Haslauer is the world’s

oldest inn and restaurant still in operation. It also holds the title of the oldest company in Europe. The energy drink “Red Bull” was created in Austria. Austria is the first country to establish national

regulations regarding organic farming. They have strongly rejected the use of biotechnology as a way to increase crop production. Austria generates over 60% of its electricity through the use of renewable

energy sources. Austrians are at the top of the heap when it comes to recycling. They recycle an average 63% of their waste, the highest percentage in Europe.

With an average work week of 45 hours, Austrians work longer than any other Europeans. Austria has one of the highest rates in the industrialized world of women working outside the home. The main waterway in Austria, the Danube River, is the second longest river in Europe at 2,880 km. It is unique in that it is the only river in the world which flows through ten different countries. The Austrian definition of a standard alcoholic beverage is 20 g of pure ethanol. That is approximately double the amount of any other European country. Croissants are Austrian, not French.