Whether its high mountain peaks or more modern cities, Austria has a lot to offer. So, before you book your flight to Europe, here are 25 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know About Austria.
25
Ever since the end of the world wars, Austria has sworn itself to a position of permanent neutrality
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia24
So, although it is part of the European Union, it is not a member of NATO
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia23
Beethoven was not Austrian, he was German. But he did live a significant portion of life in Austria
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia22
Mozart was Austrian though. So were Haydn, Schubert, and Strauss. Austria is famous for music.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia21
You thought Hitler was German? Nope. He was Austrian too.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia20
And you probably already know the most famous currently living Austrian - Arnold Schwarzenneger
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia19
The Eisriesenwelt, German for "World of the Ice Giants" is the largest ice cave in the world
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia18
Austria's official name is Republik Öesterreich, which means "The Eastern Realm"
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia17
Its flag is one of the oldest in the world
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia16
Legend has it that in 1191 Duke Leopold V got blood splattered on his tunic during battle. When he removed his sash a white band was revealed
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia15
Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace (beautiful fountain) got its name from the spring that provided the palace with water. Apparently it tasted so fresh that Emperors had it delivered to their table.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia14
In 1552 a Hapsburg prince brought an elephant from Spain back to Vienna but it died in the cold climate shortly thereafter
Source: wikipedia, Image: freestockphotos.biz13
When artist Edwin Lipburger got into a dispute with authorities over building permits for his spherical house, he decided to declare independence from Austria
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia12
His new country was called the Republic of Kugelmugel (Ball Hill). Authorities, however, moved his house to Prater Park in downtown Vienna and surrounded it with barbed wire
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia11
When Edwin refused to pay taxes to Austria, only a presidential pardon saved him from jail. Today, Kugelmugel still stands as a tourist attraction.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia10
Most of Austria is mountainous and covered by the Alps and about 1/4 of the population lives in Vienna, the capital
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia9
Among its mountains is the Großglockner, Europe's second most prominent mountain (3,798m, with a prominence of 2,423m)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia8
The Krimml Falls (Krimmler Wasserfalle) are Europe's tallest waterfall (380 meters)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia7
After Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries, Austria has the highest number of Nobel Prize winners per capita (19 total)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia6
The world's largest emerald is on display in Vienna (2860 carat)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia5
In spite of the mishap with the elephant, Vienna is home to the world's oldest zoo, the Tiergarten Schönbrunn.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia4
St. Peter Stiftskeller is the oldest still-operating inn/restaurant in the world. It opened in 803 AD. That's more than 1200 years ago!
Source: wikipedia, Image: flavouz via flickr3
The central cemetery in Vienna has over 2.5 million graves. That is more than the city's living population!
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia2
Perhaps not surprisingly, alpine sports like skiing are very popular in Austria
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia1
Austria is constantly ranked as having one of the highest standards of living in the world and Vienna nearly always tops the list of the World's Most Livable Cities.
Source: wikipedia, Image: unicolettiLists Going Viral Right Now
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