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THE ALPS

The Alps (German: Alpen; French: Alpes; Italian: Alpi; Slovenian: Alpe) is the name for one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east, through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west. The word ‘Alps’ was taken via French from Latin Alpes (meaning ‘the Alps’), which may be influenced by the Latin words albus (white) or altus (high), or a Celtic word.

languages spoken

OFFICIAL:
German
OTHER:
Turkish: language spoken by an ethnic minority
Slovenian: language spoken by an ethnic minority; official in Carinthia
Croatian: language spoken by an ethnic minority; official in Burgenland
English: young people are often fluent in English
Hungarian: language spoken by an ethnic minority; official in Burgenland

GEOGRAPHY

Austria is a largely mountainous country due to its location in the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria. Of the total area of Austria (84, 000 sq km), only about a quarter can be considered low lying, and only 32 per cent of the country is below 500m. The mountainous Alps in the west of Austria flatten somewhat into low lands and plains in the east of the country.

Austria may be divided into five different areas. The biggest area is the Austrian Alps, which constitute 62 per cent of Austria’s total area. The Austrian foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for around 12 per cent of its area. The foothills in the east and areas surrounding the periphery of the Pannoni low country amount to about 12 per cent of the total landmass. The second greater mountain area (much lower than the Alps) is situated in the north. Known as the Austrian granite plateau, it is located in the central area of the Bohemian Mass, and accounts for ten per cent of Austria. The Austrian portion of the Viennese basin comprises the rest of the four per cent.

CLIMATE

Most of Austria has a moderate central European climate though the eastern part of the country is blessed with a Continental Pannonian climate, which sounds impressive but really only means that average temperatures in July are above 19°C and annual rainfall is less than 80cm. The Alps have high precipitation, short summers and long winters, and visitors need to be prepared for a range of temperatures depending on their altitude.

However, unless you’re on top of the Grossglockner you can probably count on averages between 20-35°C in summer, 1-4°C in winter, and 8-15°C in spring and autumn.

Seasons are distinct. Summer falls between June and August and of course has the highest temperatures, but also the highest levels of rainfall. Winter can bite hard, especially in December, January and February. Spring and autumn bring changing weather, but often the most comfortable temperatures.

Be aware that the sun is intense at high altitudes. The winter ski season runs from December to April.

TRAVEL

Most travellers arriving in Austria by air will find themselves touching down in Vienna, though there are five other international airports in the country. If you’re on a tight budget, consider crossing into Austria by bus. But if speed and comfort are your priorities, spend a few more euros on a train ticket or hiring a car.

Vienna is Austria’s main air transport hub, but there are international airports at Linz, Graz, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt. If you’re visiting Austria from outside Europe, it may be cheaper to fly to a European ‘gateway’ city and travel over land from there. Munich, for example, is only two hours by train from Salzburg. Technically there’s no departure tax when flying out of Austria, instead you cop a ‘passenger service charge’ of around 15 euros.

Austria has excellent rail connections to all major European destinations. They are probably the most comfortable and environmentally responsible way to travel over land.