Austria: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Austria

Austria is a landlocked country in central Europe. The Alps cover most of the land, with forests, lakes and small villages in the valleys. It is known for skiing, classical music and the Danube River.

About Vienna

Vienna lies on the Danube River in northeastern Austria. It is famous for classical music, grand palaces like Schönbrunn and its historic centre.

Fun facts about Austria

1. Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo, opened in 1752, is the oldest zoo in the world that is still running.
2. The composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756 and was writing music by age five.
3. The Grossglockner, at 3,798 metres, is the highest mountain in Austria.
4. The Alps cover about 62 per cent of Austria, making it a largely mountainous country.
5. Salt has been mined near the lakeside village of Hallstatt for thousands of years, and the area is UNESCO-listed.
6. The Semmering Railway, opened in 1854, is one of Europe's earliest mountain railways and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.