Republic of Austria
The population of Austria is made up of the following:
German: 88.5%
Recent Immigrants, Turks, Bosnians, Serbians and Croatians: 10%
Indigenous Minorities: 1.5%
Area: 83,870 sq. miles
Population: 8,174,762
Capital City: Vienna
Government Type: Federal Republic
Currency: Euro
What does the flag represent?
The flag of Austria is a red and white horizontal triband that was re-adopted on May 1, 1945, after World War II. This red and white striped flag is one of the oldest national flags in Europe and has been used since in Austria since at least the year 1191.
The red and white colors in this flag are taken from a legend in which Duke Leopold V of Austria was blood-soaked from the Battle of Ptolemais in 1191, and only a strip of white remained under his sword belt. He then chose these colors and pattern for his flag.
Animals of Austria
Wildlife is generally scarce in Austria. Bears, which were once abundant, now are almost completely absent. Deer and marmots live there.
Languages spoken in Austria
Standard German, called “High German” in Austria, is taught in schools, but many Austrians do not consider it a native language. It must be said, though, that there are a considerable number of differences between the Standard German of Austria and that of Germany or Switzerland.
Austro-Bavarian is a common language throughout much of the country. Wienerisch, the Austro-Bavarian dialect of Vienna, is most frequently used in Germany for impersonations of the typical inhabitant of Austria.