1. The Austrian Alps cover 62% of the country’s total land area.
2. Austria is home to Europe’s tallest waterfall – the Krimml Waterfalls. They reach a height of 380 meters. They’re also one of the most famous landmarks in Austria.
4. Even though Austria is very small, it shares borders with eight other countries: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
5. Austria is one of the world’s most eco-friendly countries – about 63% of waste is recycled and most of the electricity comes through the use of renewable energy sources.
6. The mountain Großglockner (3,798 m) is the country’s highest point.
7. Approximately one-third of the country’s forested lands is a protected area.
8. Austria has 13 peaks with a height of 3,000 meters and 34 peaks that exceed 2,000 meters.
9. Whether it’s alpine or downhill – skiing has been the most popular sport in Austria for more than 100 years.
10. The Tyrolian city of Innsbruck has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Once in 1964 and again in 1976.
11. In the 19th century, Austria was one of the most powerful countries in the world. Back then, the total area was almost 700,000 square kilometers.
12. The best-preserved Stone Age man in the world was found in the Oetz Valley in Tyrol. His name is “Oetzi” and he died around 5,300 years ago.
13. Postcards were first published in Austria.
14. The country became a member of the European Union in 1995.
15. The Austrian flag dates from 1191, which makes it one of the oldest national flags in the world.
16. Austria is among the six EU countries that are not members of NATO.
17. Austrian Bertha von Suttner was the first woman ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905.
18. The Tiergarten Schönbrunn in Vienna was founded in 1752 and is the oldest zoological garden in the world.
19. In Austria, it’s considered bad luck if you share a toast and don’t maintain eye contact with the other person.
20. The Austrian National Library in Vienna is home to more than two million books and is one of the world’s major libraries.
