Location:
The Republic of Austria (Oesterreich) is bounded on the north by the Czech Republic; on the northeast by Slovakia; on the east by Hungary; on the south by Slovenia, Italy, and Switzerland; and on the west by Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Germany. Austria has an area of 32,378 square miles. Austria is a member of the European Union since January 1996.

Population:
8,032,926 (census 2001)

Capital:
Vienna

Austrian regions:
Austria is divided into nine federal regions (Bundeslaender):

Vienna - Austria's capital pop.: 1,539,848
Burgenland - capital: Eisenstadt, pop.: 11,334
Carinthia - capital: Klagenfurt, pop.: 90,141
Lower Austria - capital St. Pölten, pop.: 49,121
Salzburg - capital: Salzburg, pop.: 142,662
Styria - capital: Graz, pop.: 226,244
Tyrol - capital: Innsbruck, pop.: 113,392
Upper Austria - capital: Linz, pop.: 183,504
Vorarlberg - capital: Bregenz, pop.: 26,752

Festival Season:
The opera and theater season in Austria runs from September through June. Major festivals take place in July and August.

Climate:
At a latitude of 47 degrees North, the climate is moderate and generally agreeable. Temperatures largely depend on altitude.

Language:
German is spoken by 98% of the Austrian population. English is by far the leading second language in the educational system, and is understood widely and spoken fluently by most people working in tourism-related jobs.

Currency:
On January 1, 1999, the Euro was introduced and is the only currency used.

Visa requirements:
A valid passport is necessary to visit Austria; no visas are required for US citizens for a stay up to three months.