Overview

Austria, the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger, is made up of nine states and is one of the few European countries that has declared permanent neutrality. Its capital and largest city is Vienna, is located along the Danube river. Austria is primarily a German-speaking country though other spoken languages include Hugarian, Croatian and Slovenian.

Culture

With three sections of the Alps to choose from, it's no surprise that the most popular sport in Austria is alpine skiing. When looking for a more team-oriented game, the Austrians favor football (or soccer to us Americans). Austria also offers some of the most diverse food in Europe, from beuschel (a type of stew containing calf lungs or heart) to apple strudel. The main tourist attractions in Austria are the three mountain ranges of the Alps that run eastward through the country and the palaces and churches of its capital, Vienna.

History

Austria was originally a part of Hungary, only gaining independance in 1918. In 1914, archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Austria, sparking the beginning of World War I. Several years later, Hitler's Third Reich sought to reuinite with their neighbor in the 1930s. After the prime minister refused, Germany invaded the country and put members of the Nazi party in positions of power. Shortly after, Austria was annexed into the Third Reich.