Europe

•  Major Cities: •  Vienna (Capital) •  Graz •  Salzburg

•  Countries: •  Czech Republic •  Slovakia •  Hungary •  Slovenia •  Italy •  Switzerland •  Liechtenstein •  Germany

32,386 mi²

•  Population: •  8.474 million

•  Language: •  German

•  Currency: •  Euro

•  Ethnic/Racial Groups: •  Austrians 91.1% •  Yugoslavians 4% •  Turkish 1.6% •  Germans 0.9%

•  Religious Groups: •  Roman Catholic 73.6% •  Protestant 4.7% •  Muslim 4.2%

•  Mountain ranges, hills and plains •  70% of Austria is covered by the Alpine Region (Alps in the west) •  Two thirds of Austria’s 165,000 farms are located in the alpine mountains

•  Dozens of crystal clear lakes and rivers amidst the mountain ranges •  Variety of fish

•  Lowlands/plains in the northeast/southeast are the country's agriculture center •  Well- known for its vegetable production: onions,

peas, carrots, spinach, salad, beans, celeriac, maize, most importantly the asparagus, which serves as an important ingredient for many Austrian dishes

•  Also in the northeast are large vineyards - its diverse climates and soils provide ideal conditions to produce the world’s finest wine •  Common wines: Grüner Veltliner, Riesling,

Weißburgunder, Chardonnay , Zweigelt, Pinot Noir

•  Austria is located in a temperate climatic zone •  The lowland regions in the north and east have more continental

influenced conditions with colder winters and hotter summers with moderate precipitation throughout the year. •  High-quality hops are grown north of the Danube. It needs a sunny climate

with rather cool nights and ample precipitation. •  Since the 14th century, breweries in Austria have been producing beer

which consists of water, hop and malt.

•  The southeastern areas have longer and warmer summers.  •  Styria is world famous for its pumpkin seed oil

•  In the western part of the country is subject to less extreme weather conditions; winters are usually mild and summers rather warm. The west is also characterized by high precipitation. 

•  Alpine climate (mountainous regions of the country)- high precipitation short summers, long winters.

•  Summer up to 95 degree average: 68 degree Winter up to - 4 degree average: 32 degree

•  Farmers rear cattle or sheep in the Alps (western Austria) •  Produce dairy products and beef •  Maintain and preserve the pastures

•  Eastern climate is ideal for corn, cereals like wheat, barley and rye, as well as sugar beets, rapeseed and sunflower. •  Austria has emerged as the second biggest soybean producer in the

European Union •  Pig and poultry production are also popular in the arable regions of

Austria

•  Austria’s farm policy promotes “environmental-friendly” methods of farming •  Austrian farm policy introduced in the 80’s gave quality of food a higher

priority over quantity •  Known for highly regulated organic farming methods •  Very little chemical fertilizers/pesticides •  Increased crop rotation •  No genetic engineering

•  Quality, low stress environment is provided for livestock and animals •  Cows, pork, sheep and chicken (no

cages, open pastures) •  Increased animal welfare

standards •  Growth hormones or antibiotics in

Austrian farming is forbidden •  Farmers are obligated to keep

animals in conditions suitable to the needs of the different animals

•  Christkindlmärkte (Christmas markets) •  Popular tradition during the four weeks of Advent •  Street markets that sell Christmas ornaments, cookies and other things related

to Christmas. •  Ostermarkt (Easter Market)

•  Several markets are opened for visitors to buy traditional Easter decorations like artistically decorated eggs, chocolate Easter Bunnies, and Easter loafs.

•  The Wiener Wuerstelstand •  During a night out, street-side booths serve fast and inexpensive snacks,

including a great variety of sausages. •  Bosna (a hot dog with Bratwurst sausage, onions, and a blend of mustard

and/or tomato ketchup and curry powder) •  Sacherwuerstl(sausage served with mustard, horseradish and a kaiser roll) •  Kaesekrainer (sausage filled with cheese).

•  Austrian meal can be at least three courses •  No rush to leave after the meal. It is common to

languish at the table and enjoy a drink before leaving (1-3 hours)

•  When clinking glasses, Austrians make eye contact and say 'Prost' (‘to your health’) to each person

•  After a meal you are likely to be offered a shot of Schnaps •  "Schnaps" is the name of different liquors and spirits in

Austria. 

•  The Viennese coffee house is known as an oasis of gemütlichkeit (friendliness). Traditional cafés entice with a wide variety of coffee drinks, international newspapers and pastry creations.

•  Faschingskrapfen (Austrian Donuts) •  Very similar to a donut, these tasty fried doughs can be eaten as

breakfast or as a snack.

•  Wiener Frühstück (Viennese Breakfast) •  When using this breakfast term, the food items usually include coffee or

tea, a bread roll or croissant, butter, and honey or jam. This simple breakfast is common throughout all of Austria.

•  Bernerwuerstel (Bacon Wrapped Sausage) •  Vienna sausages are filled with

cheese and coated with belly bacon. A grill specialty is Austria.

•  Tafelspitz •  Tafelspitz is simply boiled beef

with a variety of root vegetables, delicious broth, served with roasted potatoes, horseradish and chives sauce.

•  Wiener Schnitzel •  The Wiener Schnitzel is a national dish of

Austria, and is essentially a flattened fried piece of veal or pork. In the 1965 film The Sound of Music (which is set in Salzburg, Austria) reference to schnitzel with noodles is made in the song "My Favorite Things". Eating Schnitzel with pasta, however, is not common at all in Austria.

•  Wiener Rindsgulasch (Viennese Beef Goulash) •  Goulash is one of Austria's comfort foods

and is a staple dish in any Viennese coffehouse. This tasty beef-based soup is sure to warm you up during an Austrian winter.

•  Apfelstrudel (Viennese Apple Strudel) •  This delicious treat is a sweet layered

pastry with an apple filling inside. The filling is made of grated cooking apples, sugar, cinnamon, raisins and bread crumbs. Apple strudel dough is a thin, elastic dough that is made to perfection. Make sure to grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea to accompany your strudel!

•  Marillenkuchen (Apricot cake) •  During apricot season delight your family

with traditional Austrian dumplings or cake. This sweet yet savory dish makes an excellent dessert.

•  Frittatensuppe (Pancake Soup) •  Austria is a heaven for soup lovers, no meal starts without it. Fritattensuppe is

traditionally a home made beef broth topped with rolled up and then thinly sliced strips of pancake, called frittatas. For this application, the pancake doesn't have to be super thin and should be fried golden brown.

•  Pumpkin Seed Spread •  Pumpkin seeds and pumpkin seed oil is a common delicacy in Austria! Use it

as a topping to freshly baked bread and you’re in for a treat!

•  http://www.enchantedlearning.com/europe/austria/flag/ •  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Austria •  http://www.austria.info/us •  http://www.tasteofaustria.org/ •  http://www.austria.org/ •  http://www.worldatlas.com/geography/austriageography.htm