Austria
Austria
- Capital
- Vienna
- Population
- 8,917,205
- Region
- Europe
- Languages
- German
Vienna is home to the world's oldest continuously operating zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, which was founded as an imperial menagerie in 1752. The city also features one of the oldest amusement parks, the Prater, where the iconic Riesenrad Ferris wheel has been spinning since 1897. Beyond its historic landmarks, the country is a global leader in environmental sustainability, generating over 75 percent of its electricity from renewable sources like hydropower and wind.
Currency
The official currency is the Euro, identified by the ISO code EUR. Before its adoption in 1999, Austria used the Schilling, a currency so stable during the late 20th century that it was nicknamed the 'Alpine Dollar' due to its close peg to the German Mark.
Flag symbolism
The Austrian flag is one of the oldest national symbols in the world, consisting of three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and red. Legend traces its origins to Duke Leopold V during the Siege of Acre in 1191, whose white tunic was completely stained with blood except for the area protected by his sword belt. Historically, the red represents strength and bravery, while the central white band symbolizes the peace and the Danube River.
Emblem history
The current coat of arms features a black eagle holding a hammer and a sickle in its talons, representing the working classes of industry and agriculture. A mural crown sits atop the eagle's head to symbolize the middle class, while broken silver chains were added to its legs after World War II to celebrate the liberation from Nazi occupation. This heraldic design evolved from the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire, transitioning to a single-headed version to mark the modern Austrian Republic.