Landeskunde Austria PDF

# Landeskunde ## Österreich - Is a federal state and member of the European Union (EU) since 1995 - Smaller than Portugal or Hungary and slightly larger than the Czech Republic - Population is 8,047,000 - Capital: Vienna - Neighboring countries: - Northwest: Germany - North: Czech Republic...

# Landeskunde ## Österreich - Is a federal state and member of the European Union (EU) since 1995 - Smaller than Portugal or Hungary and slightly larger than the Czech Republic - Population is 8,047,000 - Capital: Vienna - Neighboring countries: - Northwest: Germany - North: Czech Republic - Northeast: Slovakia (Bratislava) - West: Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein (seat of government is Vaduz) - South: Italy (Rome) and Slovenia (Zagreb) - Southeast: Hungary ## Österreich’s nine federal states: | State | Capital | |---|---| | Upper Austria | Linz | | Lower Austria | St. Pölten | | Vorarlberg | Bregenz | | Tyrol | Innsbruck | | Carinthia | Klagenfurt | | Salzburg | Salzburg | | Vienna | Vienna | | Styria | Graz | | Burgenland | Eisenstadt | - **Name Origin:** Ostarrichi (Old High German), from 996 (Latin form was Austria). - **First Republic:** Established in 1918. - **National Holiday:** October 26th (Austria declared neutrality in 1955). - **National Anthem:** Land der Berge (lyrics: Paula Preradovic, music: Johann Baptist Holzern). - **Flag:** Red, white, red. - **Coat of Arms:** Has four symbols: - The eagle (representing the vitality of the new republic). - The hammer and sickle (symbolizing the farmers and workers). - The golden crown (symbolizing the bourgeoisie). ## Landscape - 60% Alps (mountains). - Großglockner (3,798 m). - Ötztal Glacier (350 km). - Danube (2,848 km) - 350 km in Austria. - Major lakes: Lake Constance, Lake Neusiedl, Attersee. # Wien - Located on the Danube (2,848 km long, 350 km in Austria). - Many sights and attractions for tourists. - Public transportation is efficient. - Fiaker (horse-drawn carriages) can be used for sightseeing. ## Stephansdom - One of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world. - Symbol of Vienna. ## Hofburg (Imperial Palace) - Located in the city center. - Former seat of the Austrian Emperors. - Home of the Spanish Riding School (with Lipizzaner horses). ## Museum of Art History - Opened in 1891. - Houses collections from the Habsburgs. - Artworks by Raphael, Vermeer, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt. ## Coffee Houses - Long Viennese tradition. ## Traditional Austrian Dishes - Sachertorte, Apfelstrudel, Kaiserschmarrn, Marillenknödel (dumplings made with potato and quark dough), Wiener Schnitzel. ## Schloss Belvedere and Schönbrunn - Both have beautiful gardens. ## Wiener Prater - Amusement park with a Ferris wheel. - Offers beautiful views of the city. # Quiz 1. **What is the “Prater”?** - a. A famous restaurant for Austrian dishes. - **b. A park with many attractions.** 2. **What are the “Habsburgs”?** - a. An acting family - **b. An important ruling family of Austria.** 3. **What is “Belvedere”?** - a. A well-known big park in the city. - **b. A former summer palace built around 1720.** 4. **What is the so-called "Steffl"?** - a. The first name of a Viennese actor - **b. Short for Stephansdom.** 5. **What is the “Heurige”?** - a. A national dish. - **b. Young wine and the place where it is served.** 6. **Which famous composers are buried in the Central Cemetery?** - a. Mozart and Bach - **b. Beethoven and Strauss** 7. **What is a “Fiaker”?** - **a. A horse-drawn carriage used for sightseeing in Vienna** - b. Vienna’s subway system. # Austrian Slang - **e Semmel (öst.)** - s Brötchen (roll) - **r Knödel** - r Kloß (dumpling) - **r Erdapfel** - e Kartoffel (potato) - **r Paradeiser** - e Tomate (tomato) - **s Zuckerl** - s Bonbon (candy) - **e Marille** - e Aprikose (apricot) - **e Zwetschke** - e Pflaume (plum) - **r Schlag** - e Schlagsahne (whipped cream) - **r Karfiol** - r Blumenkohl (cauliflower) - **e Karotte/e Möhre** - e Mohrrübe (carrot) - **s Busserl** - s Küsschen (kiss) - **s Dirndl** - s Trachtenkleid/s Mädchen) (dirndl dress/girl) - **s Faschhierte** - s Hackfleisch/Speisen aus Hackfleisch (minced meat/minced meat dishes) - **e Matura** - s Abitur (high school diploma) - **e Palatschinke** - dünner, gerollter Eierkuchen mit diversen Füllungen) (thin, rolled pancake with various fillings) - **s Spital** - s Krankenhaus (hospital) - **r Topfen** - r Quark (quark cheese) - **s Würstel** - s Würtschen (sausage)