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Cheap Hotels in Austria
Hotels in Austria
The Republic of Austria is located in the heart of Europe and boarders Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Italy. As you would expect with so many boarders there are many languages spoken in Austria, however the main language is German with Hungarian and Slovenian spoken also. The name Austria is the English translation and means eastern realm.
The empire of Austria was formed in 1804 and later that century was transformed into the double monarchy of Austria-Hungary. At the end of the Great War 1914-1918 the country was broken up with the German speaking parts becoming a republic known as the Republic of German Austria. This lasted until 1933 when Austria under the rule of the Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss created an autocratic regime based on Italian Fascism. Hitler merged Five years later with the rise of the Nazis in Germany the two countries were merged under the Anschluss agreement.
After the defeat of Hitler Austria remained occupied by allied forces until 1955, then the country became a fully independent state, with the condition attached that it would remain a neutral country in the future. Austria has become an important player in Europe since its independence and joined the European Union in 1995 and four years later joined the Euro monetary system in 1999.
Geography of Austria
The country of Austria is a largely mountainous country with eight boarders. The country can be divided into 5 different areas. The first area is the Austrian Alps that accounts for 62% of Austria’s total area. The foothills that are at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for around 12%.
The area in the east of the country surrounding the periphery of the Pannoni low country is about 12%. An area known as the lower Alps is in the north of Austria this also referred to as the granite plateau this accounts for almost 10% of Austria. And finally the portion known as the Viennese basin covers the remaining 4%.
Economy of Austria
The Austrians enjoy a high standard of living and the country has a well-developed social market economy. Up until the 1980s most of Austria’s industry was nationalised, but in recent years many of these industries have now been privatised.
The labour movement however remains strong throughout Austria and is a large force that drives the politics of the country.
Through history the trade with Germany has always been strong and continues today. This also means that if trade is slow in Germany than Austria will also feel the knock on effect, as this can be seen by the growth slowing to almost 1.2% in 2001 alongside a down turn in German economics. Now with Austria in the European Union the country has gained ties with other European members and has reduced its dependence on one country. The growth prediction for 2005 is 2% this is a higher prediction then that of its neighbour Germany.
One of Austria’s growing industry is the service industry through tourism. Austria popularity continues to grow especially with the rise of low cost airlines flying into Austria on a regular basis. The winter ski market has seen huge rises over the last five years and research shows that there are no signs if it slowing down.
Austria Embassy
For your convenience we have listed Austrian embassys below. Embassys can provide you with information regarding visas and other important travel information.
