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: wikipedia 24
So, although it is part of the European Union, it is not a member of NATO
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 23
Beethoven was not Austrian, he was German. But he did live a significant portion of life in Austria
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 22
Mozart was Austrian though. So were Haydn, Schubert, and Strauss. Austria is famous for music.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 21
You thought Hitler was German? Nope. He was Austrian too.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 20
And you probably already know the most famous currently living Austrian - Arnold Schwarzenneger
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 19
The Eisriesenwelt, German for "World of the Ice Giants" is the largest ice cave in the world
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 18
Austria's official name is Republik Öesterreich, which means "The Eastern Realm"
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 17
Its flag is one of the oldest in the world
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 16
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: wikipedia 15
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: wikipedia 14
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.biz 13
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: wikipedia 12
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: wikipedia 11
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: wikipedia 10
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: wikipedia 9
Among its mountains is the Großglockner, Europe's second most prominent mountain (3,798m, with a prominence of 2,423m)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 8
The Krimml Falls (Krimmler Wasserfalle) are Europe's tallest waterfall (380 meters)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 7
After Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the Scandinavian countries, Austria has the highest number of Nobel Prize winners per capita (19 total)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 6
The world's largest emerald is on display in Vienna (2860 carat)
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 5
In spite of the mishap with the elephant, Vienna is home to the world's oldest zoo, the Tiergarten Schönbrunn.
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 4
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 flickr 3
The central cemetery in Vienna has over 2.5 million graves. That is more than the city's living population!
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 2
Perhaps not surprisingly, alpine sports like skiing are very popular in Austria
Source: wikipedia, Image: wikipedia 1
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: unicoletti Lists Going Viral Right Now
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