Travel to Austria include places to visit in Vienna, Austria. Settled in prehistoric times, the central European land that is now Austria was overrun in pre-Roman times by various tribes, including the Celts. After the fall of the Roman Empire, of which Austria was part, the area was invaded by Bavarians and Slavic Avars. Charlemagne conquered the area in 788 and encouraged colonization and Christianity. In 1252, Ottokar, king of Bohemia, gained possession, only to lose the territories to Rudolf of Hapsburg in 1278.

Slightly smaller than Maine, Austria includes much of the mountainous territory of the eastern Alps (about 75% of the area). The country contains many snowfields, glaciers, and snowcapped peaks, the highest being the Grossglockner (12,530 ft; 3,819 m). The Danube is the principal river. Forests and woodlands cover about 40% of the land.

31,942 sq mi (82,730 sq km); total area: 32,382 sq mi (83,870 sq km)

8,192,880 (growth rate: 0.1%); birth rate 8.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 4.6/1000; life expectancy: 79.1; density per sq mi: 256

Vienna, 2,041,300 (metro area), 1,523,600 (city proper)

219,500; Linz, 185,300; Salzburg, 145,500; Innsbruck, 115,600

Euro (formerly schilling)

German (official nationwide); Slovene, Croatian, Hungarian (each official in one region)

Roman Catholic 74%, Protestant 5%, Islam 4%, none 12% (2001)

98%

(a) Nationals of EU countries and nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland for an unlimited period.
(b) Nationals of American Samoa, Andorra, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, British Overseas Territories, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, East Timor, El Salvador, French Guiana, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Honduras, Israel (excluding nationals holding Palestinian passports), Japan, Jersey, Korea (Rep), Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico, Monaco, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue, Northern Mariana Islands, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Romania, Saba, St Eustatius, St Maarten, San Marino, Singapore, Tahiti and her Islands, Uruguay, USA, US Virgin Islands, Vatican City and Venezuela for touristic stays of up to three months.
(c) Transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Note: Nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka passing through Austria always require a transit visa, even when not leaving the airport. Transit passengers are advised to check transit regulations with the relevant Embassy or Consulate before travelling.