For more information please call (760) 366-2414 or
Text and photos courtesy of: Austrian National Tourist Office, Margaretenstrasse 1, A-1040 Vienna.
Austria is a popular travel destination for guests from all over the world who appreciate its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, delicious local cuisine, hospitality and safety. Quality is Austria's top priority!
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.
Austria is a member of the Economic and Currency Union - the common currency is
the Euro.
The following Euro-banknotes and coins are in circulation: Banknotes with facevalues of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 Euros; Coins of 1 and 2 Euros denominations as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Cent. These Euro banknotes and coins are the legal tender in all countries of the Euro zone. Apart from those, there are several gold and commemorative Euro coins issued by the Austrian Mint, which, however, are legal tender only in Austria. Outside of banks, cash can be withdrawn around the clock at some 2,900 cash dispensers in all of Austria.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, Visa credit cards and Diners cards as well as the Cirrus and Visa-Plus cash cards that belong to this payment system. 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).
Austria's topographic diversity accounts for a great variety of flora and fauna, including endemic species that are under preservation.
Fauna: In Austria there is a predominantly Central European fauna: deer, stag, rabbit, pheasant, fox, badger, marten, partridge. Native to the alpine regions are the chamois, groundhog, eagle and mountain jackdaw. Characteristic of the Pannonian fauna is the vast bird population in the reed beds of Lake Neusiedl (heron, spoonbill, scooper, wild goose, and many more). In recent years, Austria is home again to a small bear population, which can mainly be found in the heavily wooded southern and central mountainous regions. Flora: The diversity of topographical and climatic conditions accounts for the country's species-rich flora. Austria is one of Europe's most heavily wooded countries. Characteristic are the deciduous forest (oak, beech) and the mixed forest (beech, fir) and in the higher altitude regions fir, larch and pine. Especially diverse and colorful is the alpine flora: edelweiss, gentian, alpine carnation, arnica, alpine rose, heather and much more. The northern edge of the Alps is especially dominated by grassland; typical in the Pannonian region are the scrub forest, mixed deciduous forest and the steppe moors. East of Lake Neusiedl one finds a specific salt steppe flora. Austria's nature parks, that stretch across 3 percent of the country, document the diversity of the landscape with its in part unique natural landscapes, such as the rain and virgin forests.
Austria is a federal republic state with a parliamentary democracy.
It consists of 9 independent federal states (Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Vorarlberg and Vienna) with their own provincial governments. The federal legislation is exercised by the national council (Nationalrat) together with the Upper House of Parliament (Bundesrat) the two chambers of Parliament. Austria is a member of the European Union, the United Nations as well as most UN organizations. Of the approximately 8 million inhabitants of Austria, 98% speak German. The six ethnic groups officially recognized in Austria (Burgenlandic Croatians, Roma, Slovaks, Slovenians, Czechs and Hungarians) are concentrated in the east and south of the country. Approximately 78 % of Austrians are Roman Catholic, 5 % are Protestant, 4,5 % belong to other faiths.
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 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 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.
Central European Time (CET)Daylight Savings Time: Daylight Savings Time is valid from the end of March to the end of October (CET + 1 hour): 2005: Sunday, 27 March to Sunday, 30 October 2006: Sunday, 26 March to Sunday, 29 October The adjustment takes place unitarily on the night of Saturday to Sunday at 01.00 a.m GMT, that is 02.00 a.m in Austria.
For more information please call (760) 366-2414 or
|
