For the average, relatively smart American 4 things come to mind when they think of Austria. Mozart, The Sound Of Music, Arnold Schwartzeneger, and Wolfgang Puck. Although Austria is a relatively small country it is unique and full of culture. So without further adieu here is a list of 50 facts about Austria.
1) The population is 8,572,895 (2014 estimate).
2) The average birthdate. Is 1.44 children per woman.
3) The life expectancy for men is 78.5, 83.6 for women.
4) The literacy rate is 98%
5) There population consists of appx. 9.8%illegal immigrants (estimated)
6) The minority populations are Carinthian Sloves, Croats, and Hungarians.
7) 88% of the population is German speaking.
8) 73% of the people are Roman Catholic.
9) 1/4 of Austrias total population lives in Vienna.
10) Austrias Großglockner Mountain (3798 m.) is Europes second tallest.
11) The voting age is 16.
12) The drinking age is 16 (18 for the "hard stuff")
13) The driving age is 18.
14) Austria is completely landlocked.
15) 2/3 of Austria is 500m. or more above sea level.
16) Austria is home to 20 Nobel Prize Laureates.
17) Linz (my city) is Austrias 3rd largest.
18) Austria has a national healthcare system.
19) 62% of Austria is covered by the Alps.
20) Austrias flag is one of the oldest, dating to 1191.
21) There are cities in Austria called Egg, Rottenegg, Rum, and even Fucking.
22) The oldest zoo in the world is Tiergarten Schönbrun (1752)
23) The first postcards sent were in Austria.
24) Rebull is based in Austria.
25) Alpine Skiing is Austrias most popular sport.
26) Many roads and sidewalks are made of cobblestone.
27) City blocks are not square because the cities were not planned out (for the most part).
28) Austrians use 24 hour time.
29) Woodstoves are a common way of heating houses.
30) People from Vienna are called "Wieners"
31) Students pay little more than the cost of living for university.
32) Public transport is everywhere, and widely used.
33) When a teacher enters the classroom all of the students stand.
34) The handwriting style here is so different that it is almost as difficult as reading a different alphabet.
35) You have to pay for grocery bags in the store.
36) Riding in the car here is terrifying due to fast speed and sudden turns, but I think it is actually really safe (no matter how it feels...)
37) Wet clothes are hung up to dry since most people here don't use dryers.
38) There are no "superstores" that sell everything from eggs to hammers. Each store has a specialty.
39) Food here is cheap but everything else is expensive.
40) The relationship between Germany and Austria is like that of The USA and Canada.
41) Nudity on TV, in advertisements, and even in public is pretty widely accepted.
42) American CSI is similar to Soko Donau.
43) Their crime shows (and real life interactions) are significantly less violent than ours.
44) It rains here..... ALL THE TIME (including right now....)
45) You should drink something hot in the morning, or people might worry.
46) When you go visit someone in their home, they will most likely offer you house shoes to wear.
47) When people talk about the weather here they genuinely care, it's not just small talk.
48) People open the windows year round (for short time periods) because they want fresh air (and to freeze us).
49) Hiking is arguably the most popular pastime of Austrians.
50) Some people even have special hats for the occasion.
To make up for my lack of blogs throughout this year so far Iam starting a new project. This post is the first in a series of many posts in which I will discuss some real aspects of Austrian culture, mentality, and everyday life. I hope through this project you can learn more about the "real Austria" than a Wikipedia article.
*demographic information from statistic.at
