Austria Information Guide & Facts

 Austria

Full Country Name: The Republic of Austria
Area: 83,858 sq km (32,369 sq miles)
Population: 8.1 million
Capital City: Vienna
Ethnic Groups: German 98%. Other ethnic groups include Croats, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Roma
Languages: German (98%)
Religion(s): Roman Catholic (78%), Protestant (5%), Other (17%)
Currency: euro (EUR)

Austria is a popular travel destination for people from all over the world who appreciate its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, delicious local cuisine, hospitality and safety.

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.

Due 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.

The natural and cultural beauty and variety make Austria a small - in a geographical sense - jewel in the heart of Europe. There is no other country that has made such enormous musical contributions to the world or had such an enduring influence on the international musical scene.

Brief geographical facts

Area: 83,858 km2
Austria is located in southern Central Europe. It has common borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

The Austrian landscape points to a rich natural structure: High and central mountain regions, hill country and plains. The Alpine region (Eastern Alps, High Tauern, Carnican Alps, Southern Karawank mountains and parts of the Southern Alps) stretches from the West to the South to the Vienna Basin, and takes up approximately two thirds of the country's surface area. The western part of the country is mountainous while the east is hill country and flatlands which stretch to the Pannonian Plain in northern Burgenland.

The highest mountain is the Grossglockner with 3,797 m, the major river is the Danube with an approximate length of 350 km in the Austrian area.

Austria offers the riches of Europe in the proverbial nutshell: spectacular vistas, Alpine splendor, pulsating nightlife, sophisticated shopping, classical culture and culinary adventure. And not to forget: Austria is the cradle of Alpine skiing - and skiing is a way of life in the country of any skier's dreams. Austria has been a favored travel destination for more than a thousand years and we would like to introduce you to Austria, its Imperial Cities and Alpine Splendor, and possibly whet your appetite to get to know more about it all.

The variety of Austria's geography and climate has resulted in a wide diversity of vegetation, in which the main groups coincide with the different climatic regions. Austria is characterized by oak and beech forests that predominate in central Europe.

Austrian wildlife is characteristic of central Europe: red deer, roe deer, hare, fox, badger, marten, squirrel, pheasant, partridge, etc. Typical Alpine fauna such as chamois, marmot and the Alpine cough are to be found in the mountainous regions, and the ibex is also breeding here again. Typical of Pannonian wildlife is the vast bird population (purple heron, spoon bill, avocet) abounding in the reed beds which surround Lake Neusiedl, central Europe's only steppe lake.

History

Modern Austrian history begins with the defeat of the Axis Powers in the First World War, when the non-German speaking territories of the former Habsburg Empire achieved independence. The Republic of Austria was established in 1918. The inter-war period was marked by severe social conflicts arising from economic and political instability, and this culminated in Hitler’s forcible incorporation of Austria into the German Reich in 1938.
It was not until May 1955 that a State Treaty was finally signed after exceptionally long and difficult negotiations. The Austrian Government had agreed that Austria should become a neutral state, and subsequently passed a constitutional law to that effect. As a result, the Soviet Union also signed the treaty, and the Soviet Army departed from the eastern zone of Austria which it had occupied since 1945. Since 1989 Austria has found itself presented with new opportunities and challenges as a result of East-West rapprochement and the collapse of the former Soviet Union, and its own accession to the European Union in 1995.
Austria has been governed for much of the past fifty years by so-called Grand Coalitions, formed by the two largest parties in Parliament, the Socialists and Conservatives respectively. However, the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ) began to attract votes in the mid-nineties, and eventually formed a coalition with the Conservatives (ÖVP) in February 2000, amid considerable international uproar over its alleged extremism.

Health

Medical Service, Pharmacies:
Austria is 'well-stocked' with doctors and pharmacies.
Pharmacies operate a rota system for night and Sunday duty; when closed a notice is displayed giving the addresses of the nearest pharmacies that are open.

Emergency Numbers:
Ambulance/Doctor on call: Tel. 144
Medical radio service: Tel. 141
Mountain rescue service: Tel. 140
Information on local medical emergency services is available at the local gendarmerie and police stations as well as in the telephone book and in daily newspapers.

Health Insurance Coverage:
Insured persons of the EWR-member states (= EU-member states + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Switzerland as well as in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary in urgent cases can use their holiday insurance coverage form - obtained from their health insurer before starting their holiday - for medical care in Austria to the same benefits as those granted to persons insured in Austria. Information available at the respective health insurance company in the national state.

Health Resorts/Spas/Thermal Bath Resorts:
Austria boasts a number of health resorts, spas and thermal bath resorts that are all legally certified and recognized. The range of treatments is so extensive that every health problem can be treated, improved or even avoided by timely preventative measures. Numerous thermal bath resorts and wellness centres offer conditions of the highest standards for relaxation and well-being.
Most of the Austrian health resorts and spas are also renowned tourist resorts providing a large number of sports and recreational facilities. 

Mail Service / Telephone

Mail Service - Opening Hours:
The respective opening hours of post offices vary and are posted at the entrances of the post offices.
Some main and station post offices in larger cities are also open at night, as well as Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, however with a restricted range of services.

Postal Rates:
From Austria to countries abroad there are 2 mailing possibilities:
"Priority" (fastest possible mailing / airmail)
"Non Priority” (cheaper, but takes longer)
and 2 distance zones - "Europe" and "World".
Standard letters up to 20g are mailed priority worldwide without any additional surcharges.
Rates for standard letters and postcards:
Priority (up to 20 g): € 0.51 for Europe, € 1.09 for World
Non-Priority (up to 50 g): € 0.73 for Europe, € 1.02 for World
For domestic mail there is no differentiation between "Priority" and "Non-Priority". Rates for standard letters up to 20 g and postcards € 0.51. Stamps are available at all post offices. Mail boxes are painted yellow; red stripes indicate that they are also emptied on weekends and public holidays.

Telephone:
Telekom Austria offers a broad range of tariffs. The calling charges are scaled according to time of day and distance: 2 time zones for all tariff models - "Peak time" (Mon - Fri 8:00 a.m.- 6 p.m.) and "Off-peak time" (remainder of time). 2 local (regional and Austria-zone) and 17 international zones in the Impulse Tariff Model. 2 national zones (local zone with own area code and Austria) and just 5 international zones with the seconds-based "TikTak"-Tariff Model. For call boxes and card-operated pay phones of Telekom Austria there is only one local zone (entire federal state) and no time scale. Calling cards are available at all post offices and in tobacconists' shops (Tabak Trafiken). There are also a number of other providers in Austria, for fixed as well as mobile telephone networks, with varying tariffs.

Mobile telephones:
GSM mobiles can be brought along and may be used in Austria as well. There are GSM networks in the 900 MHz range and 1800 MHz range.
CB Radio Sets: CB radio sets that have no more than 40 channels and do not have any other type of modulation other than FM, may be operated in Austria free of charge.
There are other restrictions with respect to other network facilities.

Public Transportation

Flight:
Major airports with daily national and international connections: Wien-Schwechat, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz and Salzburg. There are daily internal flights between these airports. Central flight information: tel. 1/ 7007/2231 or 2232
National Air-Carrier: Austrian Airlines
Airport-Shuttle-Service: Regular buses from Westbahnhof railway station through Südbahnhof railway station and from City Air Terminal (station Wien Mitte / Hotel Hilton)

Rail:
The Austrian Federal Railway network has a length of about 5,800 km and connects all major national and international cities. Information on trains may be found by calling +43/1/051717 or by visiting the homepage of the Austrian Federal Railways. Motorail trains operate daily between Vienna - Salzburg, Villach, Innsbruck, Feldkirch Graz – Feldkirch Feldkirch – Villach. On specific days also Vienna – Lienz, Vienna - Bischofshofen. In the summer international motorail trains are also operated.

Ship:
Various providers operate several routes on the Danube. Cruise and excursion services are also available on a number of Austria's lakes. Detailed Information available at: Die Donau (the Danube) – Int. Tourist Advertising Cooperative: Ship Austria Erlebnis Bahn und Schiff (Adventure Rail and Ship)

Bus:
The public bus transportation network in Austria includes more than 2,800 scheduled routes. Almost all places relevant to tourism can be reached by bus. Central Bus Information, 1/711 01

Taxi:
The taxis in the larger cities are provided with an officially controlled meter (basic fee in Vienna is € 2.-/daytime and € 2.1/night). The rate is calculated according to kilometres driven, as well as time. In Vienna, no additional fee is charged for luggage. For taxi rides from Vienna to the airport (please indicate 'taxi to airport' when ordering) the sum of about € 10.- is added to the fare to cover the return journey. Airport-Taxis are taxis specially designated for transport only to and from the airport. They must be reserved in advance and charge a fixed price (incl. luggage) without a surcharge for the empty journey.

Mountain Transportation:
There are approximately 3,200 cable cars, chair lifts and T-bars operating in Austria. Many of them reach altitudes of up to 3000 m.

Currency, Foreign Exchange

Currency: Austria is a member of the Economic and Currency Union - the common currency is the Euro. 1 EUR = 100 Cent = 13.7603 ATS. The following Euro-banknotes and coins are in circulation: Banknotes with facevalues of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 €; Coins of 1 and 2 € denominations as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Cent

Foreign Exchange:
Former currencies of Euro countries (currently Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Greece): Banknotes/coins in Austrian Schillings can be exchanged into Euro banknotes/coins at the Austrian National Bank; it is also possible to exchange Austrian Schilling coins for Euro banknotes and coins at the Münze Österreich AG for an unlimited time commission-free. Former currencies of the other Euro countries can no longer be exchanged in Austria.

Foreign Currencies: The respective exchange rate (purchase or sales rate) is valid for all other foreign currencies. National and foreign currencies can be imported and exported in unlimited amounts.

Banking Hours (General):
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 8 a.m to 12:30 p.m and 1:30 p.m to 3 p.m; Thursday 8 a.m to 12:30 p.m and 1:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m

Automated Teller Machines (cash dispensers): Outside of banks, cash can be withdrawn around the clock at some 2,700 cash dispensers in all of Austria. National and foreign Maestro cards (cash cards) are accepted. Other automated teller cards are national and foreign MasterCards, American Express cards and Visa credit cards as well as the Cirrus and Plus cash cards that belong to this payment system.

Credit Cards: Credit cards are accepted in cities and tourist centres by numerous hotels, restaurants, shops and gas stations. If and which credit cards are accepted is indicated by the logos displayed on the exterior facade of the respective business (usually on the entrance door).