Explore Austria!

The Alps are only the beginning!

By Elizabeth Bryant, Period 6, Austria

Welcome to Austria

It doesn't matter if you're listening to the music of the great Austrian-born composers, skiing in the Alps, or dining in local cafes. You are sure to enjoy everything Austria has to offer. Here are just a few of the amazing things you can experience.

Things to Know About Austria

Language

The official language of Austria is German, but many people can speak English, so finding a translator is easy. Some helpful phrases are...


  • Guten Morgen = goo-tin more-gin(Good morning)
  • Guten Tag = goo-tin tahg(Good day)
  • Guten Abend = goo-tin ah-bend (Good evening/afternoon)
  • Gute nacht = goo-tih nahkt (Good night)
  • Englisch? = aeng-lish (English?)
  • W.C. = vae-tsae (Bathroom)
  • Wo bin Ich? = vo bin eec (Where am I?)
  • Danke. = dahn-kuh (Thank you.)
  • Auf Wiedersehen! = owf vee-der-zayn (Goodbye!)
  • Wie heiβt du? = vee haisst doo? (What is your name?)
  • Danke schön. = dahn-kuh shoon. (You're welcome.)
  • Bitte = bih-tuh (Please)
  • Ja = yah (Yes)
  • Nein = nine (No)

Government

Austria is a federal republic. A federal republic is "a form of government made up of a federal state with a constitution and self- governing sub units." Austria's president is Heinz Fischer. The voting age is 16, two years younger than in the U.S.A. Their three branches of government are executive, legislative, and judicial.

Currency and Exchange Rate

Austria uses the euro and has a market economy. One euro is worth about 1.4 US dollars, so don't let yourself be cheated. Use this formula if you want to check what you've been given.

1 EURO = 1.346 US Dollars

Interesting Facts

Austria is the birthplace of many composers, including Mozart and Haydn. Austrians eat a lot of beef, pork, and chicken. They love desserts and make many different kinds of pastries and cakes. People in Austria love to play soccer and take walks. There are many beautiful gardens in Austria. Salzburg is a popular tourist attraction with its mountains and rich history, publicized by The Sound of Music in 1965. You can visit Mozart's birthplace or go to the Opera House in Vienna as well. Touring the Alps (as seen at left) by train is a must. Austrians celebrate Christmas and Easter, but they focus more on the religious aspect than we do.

An Austrian Recipe for You!

Side Dish

Rich Viennese Potato Soup

Ingredients:

7 cups and 3 tablespoons beef broth or chicken broth

2 cups onion, sliced

2 1/2 cups sliced leeks

1 1/2 teaspoons dried marjoram

8 cups russet potatoes, peeled and cubed

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 pinch ground cardamom

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 cup chopped and precooked carrots

1 cup cooked and diced potatoes

Directions:

Place 1 tablespoon oil and 2 tablespoons broth in a large nonstick pot over medium heat. Add the onions, leeks, and marjoram. Sauté for 15 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.

Add the potatoes and 7 cups broth, reduce heat to low, and cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Add the heavy cream, ground black pepper, and cardamom. Puree the soup in small batches in a blender or food processor.

Place the mushrooms and the remaining 1 tablespoon broth in a large skillet over medium heat, and sauté until the liquid evaporates and the mushrooms are golden in color. Season with salt and pepper. Add the mushrooms, precooked carrots, and precooked potatoes to the pureed soup. Stir together and serve.

Where to Find Austria

Austria is located in central Europe at 47 N, 13 E. IT IS NOT THE SAME AS AUSTRALIA! If you make that mistake we will not be held responsible.
Austrian Embassy, 3524 International Court Northwest, Washington D.C., DC 20008 (212) 944-6880 austria.info/us.

Citations


Information

• "Austria." CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 26 Jan 2013. <http://online.culturegrams.com/world/world_country.php?contid=5&wmn=Europe&cid=14&cn=Austria>.

• "Rich Viennese Potato Soup: Recipe." CultureGrams Online Edition. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 26 Jan 2013. <http://online.culturegrams.com/recipes/citations.php?type=World&id=14&cit_type=text&cit_title=:%20Recipe>.

• The World Factbook 2009. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009. 26 Jan 2013. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html>.

• "Austria." CultureGrams Kids Edition. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 27 Jan 2013. <http://online.culturegrams.com/kids/kids_country_sub_categories.php?contid=5&wmn=Europe&cid=53&KidsSubCatID=9>.

• "Federal Republic." N.p.: n.p., n.d. Dictionary.com. Web. 26 Jan. 2013. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/federal+republic?s=t>.

• Money.cnn.com. Cable News Network, 25 Jan. 2013. Web. 27 Jan. 2013. <http://money.cnn.com/>.

Pictures

  • Statue in Salzburg. Digital image. Flickr. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2013. <http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?w=809956%40N25&m=pool&q=Salzburg>.
  • Vienna Kitchen. 2008. Photograph. Collection of CultureGrams. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 27 Jan 2013.
  • Spring in the Alps. 2011. Photograph. Collection of CultureGrams. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 27 Jan 2013.
  • Graben. 2004. Photograph. Collection of CultureGrams. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 27 Jan 2013.
  • Parliament Building. 2008. Photograph. Collection of CultureGrams. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 27 Jan 2013.
  • Flowering Windows. 2004. Photograph. Collection of CultureGrams. ProQuest, 2013. Web. 27 Jan 2013.
  • Austria's Religions. Digital image. Create A Graph. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2013. <http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/createagraph/default.aspx?ID=30465e21a7f0427b8b54cd0519ea24c5>.