Austria is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. It borders Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Most of the country is mountainous, occupying the Alps. The Danube River flows through Austria for 350 km. Austria has a parliamentary democracy government and was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until World War I. It was then annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938 until regaining independence in 1955. German is the main language spoken and Catholicism is the dominant religion.

1. It confines with Switzerland
and Liechtenstein in the west,
Slovenia in the south-east,
Italy in the south, Hungary in
the east, Slovakia in the north
-east, Germany and the Czech
Republic in the north.
Most of the country is
occupied by the Alps. Austria
is crossed by the Danube that
flows in the country for about
350 km.
Austria Flag is composed of three hori-
zontal bands of equal size. Starting from
the top, the colors are: red, white and
red.
The emblem is the eagle
with a single head as a
symbol of the past. The
chains broken are a sym-
bol of liberation from the
Nazi dictatorship.
Austria (Österreich), is a Federal Republic composed of nine Länder.
It is part of the European Union, and is located in central Europe.
G. Cirincione Primary
School Bagheria
Volksschule
San Peter am Wimberg
It confines with Switzerland
and Liechtenstein in the west,
Slovenia in the south-east,
Italy in the south, Hungary in
the east, Slovakia in the north
-east, Germany and the Czech
Republic in the north.
Most of the country is
occupied by the Alps. Austria
is crossed by the Danube that
flows in the country for about
350 km.
Austria Flag is composed of three hori-
zontal bands of equal size. Starting from
the top, the colors are: red, white and
red.
The emblem is the eagle
with a single head as a
symbol of the past. The
chains broken are a sym-
bol of liberation from the
Nazi dictatorship.
Austria (Österreich), is a Federal Republic composed of nine Länder.
It is part of the European Union, and is located in central Europe.
G. Cirincione Primary
School Bagheria
Volksschule
San Peter am Wimberg

2. The most of the Austrian popula-
tion has Bavarian origin, but the-
re are also Hungarians and Slavs.
Austrian population density is low
in the Alpine regions, while in the
Danube valleys there are greater
concentrations. About a fifth of
the total population is concentra-
ted in the urban area of Vienna,
while other cities are small.The
percentage of the population
living in rural villages is still high.
The main cities are the capital
Vienna and the capitals of the
other 8 federated states: St.
Pölten, Linz, Salzburg
(Salzburg), Innsbruck, Bre-
genz, Klagenfurt, Graz and
Eisenstadt.
G E O G R A P H Y
It is a representative parliamen-
tary democracy and the presi-
dent is elected directly by the
citizens. It is one of the six Eu-
ropean countries that have dec-
lared permanent neutrality Aus-
tria is part of the European Uni-
on since the 1st January 1995.
The most of the Austrian popula-
tion has Bavarian origin, but the-
re are also Hungarians and Slavs.
Austrian population density is low
in the Alpine regions, while in the
Danube valleys there are greater
concentrations. About a fifth of
the total population is concentra-
ted in the urban area of Vienna,
while other cities are small.The
percentage of the population
living in rural villages is still high.
The main cities are the capital
Vienna and the capitals of the
other 8 federated states: St.
Pölten, Linz, Salzburg
(Salzburg), Innsbruck, Bre-
genz, Klagenfurt, Graz and
Eisenstadt.
G E O G R A P H Y
It is a representative parliamen-
tary democracy and the presi-
dent is elected directly by the
citizens. It is one of the six Eu-
ropean countries that have dec-
lared permanent neutrality Aus-
tria is part of the European Uni-
on since the 1st January 1995.

3. Austria is mainly a Catholic nation but there are also
Protestants and Orthodox . There’s a small but expan-
ding Jewish community while Islam is expanding
thanks to the arrival of numerous immigrants.
School education is compulsory
from 6 to 15 years. Primary
School / Volksschule (6-10 years),
Secondary School / Hauptschule
or AHS-Unterstufe (10-14 years)
Supplementary year before high
school / Polytechnische Schule
(PTS) (14-15 years) Higher / Up-
per level (15-18 years).
The oldest Austrian University is
the University of Vienna, founded
on 12 March 1365
German is the official language
spoken by almost all residents.
In the mountainous regions,
people speak of numerous dia-
lects. The Bavarian dialect is
spoken in the Tirol and it’s also
the mother tongue of many inha-
bitants of the Italian Alto Adige.
The first time when the name
"Austria" is used is in the work
Historia Langobardorum and
dates back to 796. The name
Österreich is derived from the
old German Ostarrîchi, that
means „Eastern territory“.
L A N G U A G E A N D S C H O O L
Austria is mainly a Catholic nation but there are also
Protestants and Orthodox . There’s a small but expan-
ding Jewish community while Islam is expanding
thanks to the arrival of numerous immigrants.
School education is compulsory
from 6 to 15 years. Primary
School / Volksschule (6-10 years),
Secondary School / Hauptschule
or AHS-Unterstufe (10-14 years)
Supplementary year before high
school / Polytechnische Schule
(PTS) (14-15 years) Higher / Up-
per level (15-18 years).
The oldest Austrian University is
the University of Vienna, founded
on 12 March 1365
German is the official language
spoken by almost all residents.
In the mountainous regions,
people speak of numerous dia-
lects. The Bavarian dialect is
spoken in the Tirol and it’s also
the mother tongue of many inha-
bitants of the Italian Alto Adige.
The first time when the name
"Austria" is used is in the work
Historia Langobardorum and
dates back to 796. The name
Österreich is derived from the
old German Ostarrîchi, that
means „Eastern territory“.
L A N G U A G E A N D S C H O O L

4. H I S T O R Y
The first inhabitants were the Celts and the Illyrians, settled in the eastern
part; then the Celts conquered the main part of the territoy. But soon it was
conquered by the Romans and for centuries was part of the Roman Empire.
The Lombards, Ostrogoths, Bavarians and Franks occupied the territory that
was Germanized. Austria came under the rule of the Babenbergs from the
tenth to the thirteenth century. The Babenbergs were then kicked out by the
Habsburgs, that reigned until the 20th century.
The Austrian Empire was
founded in 1804 and it was
transformed in 1867 into
the double monarchy of
Austria-Hungary. The em-
pire was divided into seve-
ral independent states af-
ter the defeat of the
Central Power in the
First World War. In
1918 Austria beca-
me a republic with
the name of Repu-
blic of Austria.
Austria was annexed to
the Third Reich in 1938
At the end of the Se-
cond World War, after
the Nazi defeat, Austria
was occupied by the
Allies until 1955, when
the State became inde-
pendent again, provi-
ded it remained neu-
tral.
H I S T O R Y
The first inhabitants were the Celts and the Illyrians, settled in the eastern
part; then the Celts conquered the main part of the territoy. But soon it was
conquered by the Romans and for centuries was part of the Roman Empire.
The Lombards, Ostrogoths, Bavarians and Franks occupied the territory that
was Germanized. Austria came under the rule of the Babenbergs from the
tenth to the thirteenth century. The Babenbergs were then kicked out by the
Habsburgs, that reigned until the 20th century.
The Austrian Empire was
founded in 1804 and it was
transformed in 1867 into
the double monarchy of
Austria-Hungary. The em-
pire was divided into seve-
ral independent states af-
ter the defeat of the
Central Power in the
First World War. In
1918 Austria beca-
me a republic with
the name of Repu-
blic of Austria.
Austria was annexed to
the Third Reich in 1938
At the end of the Se-
cond World War, after
the Nazi defeat, Austria
was occupied by the
Allies until 1955, when
the State became inde-
pendent again, provi-
ded it remained neu-
tral.

5. A R T S
Artistic testimonies went back to the
sculptures and goldsmith products of
780 AD.
From the 13th century, the realistic
stone was added to the wooden sculp-
ture, which had its center in Vienna at
the shipyards of the Cathedral of Santo
Stefano.
In the middle of the century there was
a return to realism, whose best repre-
sentatives were Conrad Laib for pain-
ting and Jacob Kaschauer for sculpture.
From the mid-nineteenth century, Vien-
na conquered a position of absolute
prominence in the arts, for the flowe-
ring of rationalism and the avant-garde
Since 1100 several castles and
abbeys were built on the Austrian
territory by the Cistercians.
In the early fifteenth century the
Gothic style established.
In the seventeenth century was
built the Salzburg Cathedral, im-
portant palaces and works of Ba-
roque style, such as the Collegiate
Church of Salzburg.
The baroque was followed by
neoclassicism and romanticism
with different styles, including the
Biedermeier.
A R T S
Artistic testimonies went back to the
sculptures and goldsmith products of
780 AD.
From the 13th century, the realistic
stone was added to the wooden sculp-
ture, which had its center in Vienna at
the shipyards of the Cathedral of Santo
Stefano.
In the middle of the century there was
a return to realism, whose best repre-
sentatives were Conrad Laib for pain-
ting and Jacob Kaschauer for sculpture.
From the mid-nineteenth century, Vien-
na conquered a position of absolute
prominence in the arts, for the flowe-
ring of rationalism and the avant-garde
Since 1100 several castles and
abbeys were built on the Austrian
territory by the Cistercians.
In the early fifteenth century the
Gothic style established.
In the seventeenth century was
built the Salzburg Cathedral, im-
portant palaces and works of Ba-
roque style, such as the Collegiate
Church of Salzburg.
The baroque was followed by
neoclassicism and romanticism
with different styles, including the
Biedermeier.

6. C U I S I N E
Austrian cuisine has been influenced by the countries part of the AustroAustrian cuisine has been influenced by the countries part of the AustroAustrian cuisine has been influenced by the countries part of the Austro---
Hungarian empire, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy and in recent timesHungarian empire, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy and in recent timesHungarian empire, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy and in recent times
even Greece and Turkey. Among the Austrian specialties there’s the Sachertorteeven Greece and Turkey. Among the Austrian specialties there’s the Sachertorteeven Greece and Turkey. Among the Austrian specialties there’s the Sachertorte
or Torta Sacher, invented in Vienna in 1832, by the Austrian pastry chef Franzor Torta Sacher, invented in Vienna in 1832, by the Austrian pastry chef Franzor Torta Sacher, invented in Vienna in 1832, by the Austrian pastry chef Franz
Sacher, in honor of Count Klemens von Metternich.Sacher, in honor of Count Klemens von Metternich.Sacher, in honor of Count Klemens von Metternich.
Käsespätzle
Wiener Schnitzel
Faschierte Laibchen
Gulasch mit Erdäpfel
Apfelstrudel
Frittatensuppe
Sachertorte
C U I S I N E
Austrian cuisine has been influenced by the countries part of the AustroAustrian cuisine has been influenced by the countries part of the AustroAustrian cuisine has been influenced by the countries part of the Austro---
Hungarian empire, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy and in recent timesHungarian empire, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy and in recent timesHungarian empire, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Italy and in recent times
even Greece and Turkey. Among the Austrian specialties there’s the Sachertorteeven Greece and Turkey. Among the Austrian specialties there’s the Sachertorteeven Greece and Turkey. Among the Austrian specialties there’s the Sachertorte
or Torta Sacher, invented in Vienna in 1832, by the Austrian pastry chef Franzor Torta Sacher, invented in Vienna in 1832, by the Austrian pastry chef Franzor Torta Sacher, invented in Vienna in 1832, by the Austrian pastry chef Franz
Sacher, in honor of Count Klemens von Metternich.Sacher, in honor of Count Klemens von Metternich.Sacher, in honor of Count Klemens von Metternich.
Käsespätzle
Wiener Schnitzel
Faschierte Laibchen
Gulasch mit Erdäpfel
Apfelstrudel
Frittatensuppe
Sachertorte

7. Austria had many very famous musicians and compo-
sers such as the brothers Joseph and Michael Haydn,
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Anton
Bruckner, members of the Strauss Family. We remem-
ber also the famous Christmas Carol “Stille Nacht, hei-
lige Nacht, well known in Italy as Astro del Ciel: the
piece is dated December 24th 1818 on music by Franz
Xaver Gruber and text by Joseph Mohr
Austria is home to leading
philosophers and scientists,
including Sigmund Freud,
Melanie Klein, Karl Popper,
Christian Doppler, Wolfgang
Pauli , Hermann Bondi, Er-
win Schrödinger, Max Pe-
rutz, the economist Joseph
Schumpeter, and Konrad
Lorenz, founder of ethology.
M U S I C A N D S C I E N C E
Austria had many very famous musicians and compo-
sers such as the brothers Joseph and Michael Haydn,
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, Anton
Bruckner, members of the Strauss Family. We remem-
ber also the famous Christmas Carol “Stille Nacht, hei-
lige Nacht, well known in Italy as Astro del Ciel: the
piece is dated December 24th 1818 on music by Franz
Xaver Gruber and text by Joseph Mohr
Austria is home to leading
philosophers and scientists,
including Sigmund Freud,
Melanie Klein, Karl Popper,
Christian Doppler, Wolfgang
Pauli , Hermann Bondi, Er-
win Schrödinger, Max Pe-
rutz, the economist Joseph
Schumpeter, and Konrad
Lorenz, founder of ethology.
M U S I C A N D S C I E N C E

8. Due to its particular geo-
graphical position on the
Alps the most widespread
sporting activity in the
country is alpine skiing in
ski resorts; the Austrian
national alpine skiing team
stands out for the total
number of victories in the
World Cup, both male and
female, and is largely the
first nation in the Olympic
S P O R T S A N D T R A D I T I O N S
In winter Christmas is the main holiday in
Austria. Preparations begin in early Decem-
ber. According to the belief, Saint Nicholas
appears on the night of December 5, accom-
panied by the evil Krampus. In the same
period, cities and small villages open thema-
tic fairs. They sell handmade goods, traditio-
nal dishes, and also arrange various perfor-
mances. The most famous fairs are on the
main squares of Salzburg and Innsbruck.
ln February, there is a whole
series of events like carnivals,
costumed performances, and
social events. In Spring, peo-
ple prepare for other impor-
tant holidays - Easter, Trinity,
and Corpus Christi.
Summer is a time for various festi-
vals. A two-week jazz festival, a
festival of classical music and ope-
retta take place in differnt cities.
In Vienna classical music and
theatrical art are really aprecieted.
All Saints' Day on November 1, Day of the Referendum on October 10, and National
Day on October 26 are celebrated too. A birthday is an important event for any Au-
strian. The Austrians are very welcoming and hospitable
Due to its particular geo-
graphical position on the
Alps the most widespread
sporting activity in the
country is alpine skiing in
ski resorts; the Austrian
national alpine skiing team
stands out for the total
number of victories in the
World Cup, both male and
female, and is largely the
first nation in the Olympic
S P O R T S A N D T R A D I T I O N S
In winter Christmas is the main holiday in
Austria. Preparations begin in early Decem-
ber. According to the belief, Saint Nicholas
appears on the night of December 5, accom-
panied by the evil Krampus. In the same
period, cities and small villages open thema-
tic fairs. They sell handmade goods, traditio-
nal dishes, and also arrange various perfor-
mances. The most famous fairs are on the
main squares of Salzburg and Innsbruck.
ln February, there is a whole
series of events like carnivals,
costumed performances, and
social events. In Spring, peo-
ple prepare for other impor-
tant holidays - Easter, Trinity,
and Corpus Christi.
Summer is a time for various festi-
vals. A two-week jazz festival, a
festival of classical music and ope-
retta take place in differnt cities.
In Vienna classical music and
theatrical art are really aprecieted.
All Saints' Day on November 1, Day of the Referendum on October 10, and National
Day on October 26 are celebrated too. A birthday is an important event for any Au-
strian. The Austrians are very welcoming and hospitable