Traditional European Culture - Austria

[Dneprovoy Alexey]

Today's look into some interesting facts about some well-known travel destinations is dedicated to Austria...one of my favourite countries for travel: http://tours-tv.com/ru/austria

 

• Almost 90% of the population speak German, which is also the official language.
• In 1867, Austria and Hungary joined together to create the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This joint empire ended at the end of World War I (1918).
• Austria joined the United Nations in 1955.
• The official currency is the euro.
• The name Austria derives from a Germanic word ‘austro’, meaning ‘east’.
• Over 60% of Austria’s electricity is supplied by renewable sources.
• Winters in Austria are very cold. However, the summers can be relatively hot. The temperatures range between 20 and 40 degrees Celsius.
• Children enter primary school at the age of six. They spend four years in primary school and are usually taught by the same teacher for the entire time.
• Almost three quarters of the population are Roman Catholics.
• The candy PEZ was invented in Austria.
• The first Youth Winter Olympics will be held in Austria (in 2012).
• Football (soccer) is a popular sport in Austria. However, the national side has had little success over the years.