In 2019, I went snowboarding for the first time. I hurt my right ankle, but it was so worth it. Afterward, I researched Austria’s Alps, and they became my next travel destination. Here’s a fun story: Billy Joel named the song “Vienna” (one of my favorites) after a visit to Austria. Joel saw an elderly woman sweeping the street and realized that life doesn’t end at 30. The city’s slower pace and sense of purpose at every age inspired the song’s message: slow down…Vienna waits for you. Here are some key facts about Austria: Key Facts About Austria Details Population 9,114,543 Official Languages German Currency Euro Capital Vienna Geography Landlocked (no coastline) Area 32,386 sq mi (83,879 sq km) Keep on reading to learn 14 fun facts about Austria. 14 Fun Facts About Austria Austria has Europe’s tallest waterfall Europe’s second longest river is in Austria The Alps in Austria are a paradise for skiers and climbers The Austrian flag is the second oldest in the world The Austrian National Library contains over 12 million items Mozart (and other major composers) are Austrian Austria’s official language is German Former Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is Austrian The oldest zoological garden is in Austria Austria has a legacy of technological and cultural innovation As of 2024, Austria has earned 25 Nobel Prize laureates Austria enjoys a high good quality of life Austria borders eight other countries Austria is famous for its eye contact social traditions 1. Austria has Europe’s tallest waterfall Austria has Europe’s tallest waterfall, the Krimml Falls, standing at 1,246 feet (380 meters). The waterfall is in Hohe Tauern National Park, Salzburg (upper Austria). Viewing the falls is free, but there’s a fee for the waterfall trail. The non-strenuous hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
2. Europe’s second longest river is in Austria Austria has the Danube, Europe’s second-longest river, after the Volga, in Russia, The river flows through Austria and links to 10 other countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine). Among the many cities on the river are four national capitals: Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia), Budapest (Hungary) and Belgrade (Serbia). Visitors can walk along the river for free or pay for boat cruises which start at a price of around $21 (€20). >> Learn more about travel programs to Europe: Travel Programs to Europe. 3. The Alps in Austria are a paradise for skiers and climbers Austria is home to the Austrian Alps— these alpine mountains are a paradise for those who love to climb and ski. Nearly two-thirds of Austria is covered by these mountains. It’s no wonder Austria generated $20.5 billion (€18.9 billion) in tourism revenue in 2022. Bonus fact about Austria: Red Bull is an energy drink company based on a Thai energy drink. The formula and brand were refined in Austria, where the company is now headquartered. Red Bull holds events in the Austrian Alps, such as Red Bull Crashed Ice and Red Bull X-Alps >> Learn more winter ski programs in Austria: Winter ski programs in Austria. 4. The Austrian flag is the second oldest in the world The Austrian flag is the world’s second-oldest national flag still in use. It dates back to 1191 and the colors represent peace and harmony. The world’s oldest flags: Country Flag Estimated Date of Adoption Denmark 🇩🇰 1219 (approx.) Austria 🇦🇹 1191 (approx.) Switzerland 🇨🇭 13th century (approx.) Scotland 🏴 12th century (approx.) France 🇫🇷 1794 (official adoption) Explore travel programs to Europe 5. The Austrian National Library contains over 12 million items The Austrian National Library, founded in 1726, is located in Vienna’s Hofburg Palace. It holds over 12 million items, including historical documents like the Vienna Quarantäneordnung, an 18th-century quarantine guide. The library is accessible by public transportation and offers guided tours for visitors. Frequently Asked Questions About the Austrian National Library How do you get to the Austrian National Library? The Austrian National Library is easily accessible from nearby public transportation stations: Nearest U-Bahn (Metro) Stations: Herrengasse (U3 Line): 500 meters away, about a 6-minute walk southeast. Stephansplatz (U3 Line): 650 meters away, roughly an 8-minute walk southwest. Museums-Quartier (U2 Line): 1.2 km away, approximately a 14-minute walk northeast. Nearest Tram Stop: Burgring: 5-minute walk from the library, located on the Ringstrasse (Grand Boulevard), this stop serves trams in both directions. How much does it cost to go to the Austrian National Library? Admission to the Austrian National Library depends on the type of visitor and the section you wish to visit. Free admission is available for children under 19, Vienna Pass holders, journalists and disability companions. Adults are required to pay: State Hall: $10 (€10) Literature Museum: $8 (€8) Papyrus Museum/Globe/Esperanto Museum: $5 (€5) What are the opening hours for the Austrian National Library? The opening hours for the Austrian National Library vary by section, so it’s good to check the specific times for what you want to visit. General Library Hours: Monday: Closed Tuesday–Wednesday: 10 AM–6 PM Thursday: 10 AM–9 PM Friday–Saturday: 10 AM–6 PM Sunday (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 10 AM–6 PM Lesesäle am Heldenplatz (Reading Rooms): Monday–Wednesday: 9 AM–9 PM Thursday–Saturday: 9 AM–9 PM Sunday (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 9 AM–9 PM State Hall: Monday: Closed Tuesday–Wednesday: 10 AM–6 PM Thursday: 10 AM–9 PM Friday–Saturday: 10 AM–6 PM Sunday (Feast of the Immaculate Conception): 10 AM–6 PM What library services and facilities are provided at the Austrian National Library? The Austrian National Library offers a variety of services and facilities to enhance your visit. Reading rooms and online services for research. Workshops and exhibitions to explore. Guided tours to help you navigate the library’s collections. Disability accessibility to ensure all visitors can enjoy the facilities. A cafe where you can relax and a gift shop for souvenirs. Where can I get more contact information for the Austrian National Library? You can find additional contact information for the Austrian National Library through the following channels: Website: https://www.onb.ac.at/en/ Call: +43 1 534 10 Email: onb@onb.ac.at 6. Mozart (and many other major composers) are Austrian Mozart composed several works, including the unfinished Requiem in D minor, the opera The Marriage of Figaro, the drama Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, which combined elements of theater with modern, sophisticated musical artistry. Famous classical music composers such as Gustav Mahler, who revolutionized the symphony with his massive orchestrations that hit like sonic tidal waves, Franz Schubert, who transformed the German Lied, Joseph Haydn, who established the string quartet and symphony and Johann Strauss II played a major role in shaping classical music. They are honored as their Austrian orchestral works are performed in countless concerts worldwide each year. Where in Austria can I listen to Mozart’s (and other composers’) works? In Austria, you can listen to classical music at the Vienna State Opera, Musikverein’s Golden Hall, the Salzburg Festival and the House of Music (Haus der Musik). Tickets can be purchased online on those sites or in-person. 7. Austria’s official language is German Austria’s official language is German and is spoken by nearly 98% of the population. While regional dialects exist, the standardized form of German is used in most of the country. Austria’s population primarily speaks German, but many are also multilingual: Language Percentage of speakers German 96% English 40% French 6% Italian 5% Spanish 2% Croatian 2% Turkish 1% Russian 1% Hungarian 1% Slovenian 1% Source 8. Former Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger is Austrian Arnold Schwarzenegger became one of the world’s most iconic actors having starred in films like The Terminator. He was born in Thal, Austria and later became the governor of California. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terms as Governor of California: First Term November 17, 2003 – January 5, 2007 Second Term January 5, 2007 – January 3, 2011
9. The oldest zoological garden is in Austria Tiergarten Schönbrunn is the world’s oldest zoo and is located at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna. It was founded in 1752 and now houses 700 animal species. The zoo is involved in multiple conservation efforts to protect endangered species through various projects: Giant Panda Protection: Partnering with the China Wildlife Conservation Association Orangutan Protection: Supporting habitat conservation on Borneo (island in Asia) Wildlife Detection Dogs Project: Collaborating with Austrian Customs to combat illegal wildlife trafficking Polar Bear Protection: Funding Polar Bears International to address climate change impacts You can easily reach the zoo by taking the U4 subway line to Schönbrunn station. Admission costs around $23 (€22) for adults, with discounts for children and seniors. See the full list of conservation projects 10. Austria has a legacy of technological and cultural innovation Austria has been a leader in technological innovations for centuries. Take a look at the major inventions throughout the centuries: Century Innovations 16th Lipizzan Horse Breed: Developed by the Spanish Riding School in Vienna through selective breeding 19th First Sewing Machine (1818): Josef Madersperger revolutionized textile production Whipped Cream: Austria introduced Schlagobers, key to Viennese café culture Early 20th Psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud developed theories on the unconscious. Snow Globe (1900): Erwin Perzy invented the snow globe while improving surgical lighting Kaplan Water Turbine (1913): Viktor Kaplan’s turbine advanced hydroelectric power Nuclear Fission (1938): Lise Meitner co-discovered nuclear fission Modern Clarinet Development: Austrian musical innovations laid the groundwork for the clarinet’s design 11. As of 2024, Austria has earned 25 Nobel Prize laureates Austria is home to 25 Nobel Prize laureates in fields in physics, medicine, literature and peace. Erwin Schrödinger reshaped quantum mechanics and Bertha von Suttner became the first Austrian woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905. Austria has advanced science and peace worldwide. Nobel Laureates per Million People by Country Country Population Laureates Per Million Note: This calculation uses current population figures against cumulative Nobel Prize awards. The ratio provides an interesting but imperfect comparison. 12. Austria enjoys a high good quality of life Living in Austria is your grandmother’s hand-knitted sweater – warm, secure and lovingly crafted. Kids walk safely to their free world-class schools; its citizens breathe some of Europe’s cleanest air. Austria’s trains are slightly late but still reliable and can zip you from a morning ski session to an evening opera. The country’s dedication to public health and environmental protection shows up in real life: tap water is so clean it makes bottled water seem silly, half of Vienna is parks and you never see a medical bill. When Austrian men see the country ranks among the world’s happiest (14th globally in the 2024 World Happiness Report), they usually just shrug and say “natürlich” (naturally), then go back to complaining about the weather. 13. Austria borders eight other countries Austria shares its borders with eight countries: Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Liechtenstein, placing it at the heart of Central Europe. This position played a key role in Austria joining the European Union in 1995. In part due to its central location and as part of the 1955 Austrian State Treaty, Austria adopted an official statement of neutrality. 14. Austria is famous for its eye contact social traditions Austria is known for its strong tradition of eye contact in social interactions which signifies respect. It’s a tradition in Austria to make eye contact while toasting with a drink. Every culture has its unique way of showing respect—Austrians with eye contact, South Koreans with bowing and Guatemalans with a kiss on the cheek. Discover greetings in 105 languages.