1. Home to The World’s Oldest Zoo
The world’s oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Schönbrunn Zoo) is located in Austria's capital, Vienna. It was founded in 1752 and it still continues to welcome visitors today. The zoo boasts a range of species from all over the world, making it a must-visit location for wildlife enthusiasts.
2. Austria’s Love for Coffee
Austria, particularly Vienna, holds a long tradition of coffee drinking and has significantly impacted the evolution of the café culture worldwide. Interestingly, it's even recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Viennese coffee houses serve a variety of unique coffee styles, not to mention delicious pastries.
3. The Snow Globe's Birthplace
Austrians can claim the invention of the snow globe. In 1900, Erwin Perzy, a surgical instruments mechanic, accidentally created the first snow globe while he was trying to improve the luminosity of lightbulbs. He founded a company to produce his invention, and it's still operating in Vienna.
4. Home of the Oldest European Vineyard
Austria is known for its wines, and it's worth noting that it has one of the oldest vineyards in Europe. The Klosterneuburg Monastery vineyard has been producing wine since 900AD and continues to do so today. It's just under 10 miles north of central Vienna, ideal for a day excursion.
5. Mozart’s Birthplace
One of the greatest composers in the history of Western music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was born in Salzburg, Austria in 1756. Today, a museum dedicated to his life is in his birthplace, showcasing different memorabilia associated with the composer.
6. Austria is Landlocked
Austria is surrounded by eight different countries and does not have a coastline – it is a landlocked country. The countries surrounding Austria are Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
7. A Diverse Linguistic Landscape
While German is the official language of Austria, a significant percentage of the population speaks Turkish, Serbian, and Croatian due to a fair amount of immigration from these countries.
8. Renowned Austrian Dessert: The Sacher Torte
The Sacher Torte, a specific type of chocolate cake, was invented in Austria. It was created by pastry chef Franz Sacher for Prince Wenzel von Metternich in Vienna in 1832. It is now a world-famous specialty loved by dessert fans globally.
9. The Psychology Pioneer: Sigmund Freud
The father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, was Austrian. Throughout his life, Freud developed groundbreaking theories about human psychology, laying the foundation for many therapeutic practices used today.
10. The Austrian Alps
The Austrian Alps cover 62% of Austria's total land area. Incredible as it may seem, that equates to around 60,000 square kilometres. These stunning mountains attract skiers and hikers worldwide.
11. The Sewer Movie Star
The sewers of Vienna are world-renowned thanks to Carol Reed’s 1949 film, "The Third Man", which used the sewers as a major part of the setting. Visitors today can tour these famous sewers.
12. World’s Largest Emerald
The world's largest emerald is held in the Imperial Treasury (Schatzkammer) in Vienna. It was brought from Columbia in 1641 and weighs an impressive 2860 carats.
13. An Abundance of Lakes
Austria is home to around 1,200 pristine lakes. The majority of these lakes result from glacial retreat during the last Ice Age. Each of these lakes offers crystal clear water framed by stunning mountainous landscapes, making them a prime spot for water enthusiasts.
14. Leader in Renewable Energy
Austria is a world-leader in renewable energy. Approximately two-thirds of the country's electricity is generated from renewable resources. It also has some of the highest recycling rates in the world.
15. The World's Largest Ice Cave
The world's largest ice cave, Eisriesenwelt, is in Austria. This natural limestone and ice cave extends more than 42km and offers a mesmerizing underworld of icy sculptures and frozen waterfalls.
16. Home to Krampus
Austria is home to the folklore of Krampus, a beast-like creature said to punish misbehaving children during the Christmas season. The tradition is celebrated with a Krampus Run, where men dress up as Krampus and walk through the streets to frighten spectators.
17. Highest Concentration of Castles and Palaces
Austria has one of the highest concentrations of castles and palaces in the world. From Hohensalzburg Fortress to Schloss Schönbrunn, the country's historical heritage is deeply rooted in these architectural marvels.
18. The Postal Savings Bank Building
This is one of Austria's architectural landmakrs constructed without a single piece of iron. The Postal Savings Bank building, designed by Otto Wagner, is entirely riveted and soldered.
19. World’s First Postcards
The world’s first postcards were issued in Austria in 1869. They were known as "Correspondenz Karte" and had the stamp pre-printed on them.
20. Life Expectancy
Austria ranks highly in terms of life expectancy. As per WHO data, the life expectancy in the country is around 81 years, which is well above the global average. This can be attributed to its excellent healthcare system and high quality of life.