Fun facts about Austria

1. The government of Austria is a federal parliamentary republic.
2. Austria's national flag has three horizontal stripes. 2 red stripes, with a white middle stripe.
3. German is the official language of Austria.
4. Austria is a landlocked country.
5. Eight countries share a border with Austria.
6. Austria's full long name is the Republic of Austria or Republik Oesterreich
7. The largest city in Austria is Vienna which is also the capital.
8. Austria is the birthplace of many famous composers such as Haydn, Strauss, Schubert, and Mozart.
9. Austria was made a part of Nazi Germany in 1938 and was no longer an independent country until 1955.
10. Almost 75% of the country is overlooked by the Alps
11. Christian Austrians are required to pay a membership fee to their church called Kirchebbeitrag.
12. About 58% of Austrians identify as Roman Catholic
13. For all children aged three to six, pre-school education is available and usually free.
14. Austria has one of the highest rates in the industrialised world, of women working outside of the home.
15. The sport Alpine skiing is important for tourism and to the Austrian economy
16. The most popular team sport in Austria is european football
17. The most popular types of beer in Austria are lager, wheat beer, and Zwicklbier.
18. There are around 20,000 private small schnapps distilleries in Austria.
19. The highest-selling energy drink on earth, Red Bull, was invented in Austria.
20. The world largest ice cave, called the Eisriesenwelt is 42km long and found in Werfen, Austria
21. A famous dish of Austria is the Wiener Schnitzel, which means Viennese cutlet in German
22. The Wurstelprater in Vienna, is one of the world's oldest amusement parks.
23. Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, is one of the most significant historical and cultural monuments in Austria.
24. Vienna places highly on many reports for some of the highest standards of living in the world.