Vienna is the capital of the Republic of Austria. It is the country's largest city and seat of many international organisations.
Settlements along the Danube near what is now the City of Vienna can be traced back to the 5th century B.C. These were of Celtic origin - as is the name Wien, derived from the Celtic "Vedunia" meaning "river in the woods". It was later captured by the Romans, and used as a fortified camp against the Tutons. Following the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, barbarian invasions reduced the Roman town to ruins. In 881, the name "Wenia" is documented in the annals of the city of Salzburg, the first mention since Roman times. Vienna began its rise in importance in the Middle Ages when it was made the residence of the Babenbergs and the city walls were raised in 1200. The Babenburgs ruled Vienna until 1246, when the Hapsburgs took control and ruled the city and its surroundings until the beginning of the 20th century.
Vienna has a moderate continental climate, with warm, sunny summers and cold winters. Weather in June, July and August is moderate and sunny with a light summer windy breeze with average temperatures range between 15°C (60°F) and 25°C (76°F). Winter temperatures in Vienna are regularly below freezing, although this tends to be the driest time of the year, when snowfalls are most likely. Rainfall is fairly low, averaging 66 cm (26 inches) per year, the greater part of it coming in summer downpours. Thunderstorms occur frequently in summer and snowfall is common in winter.
Vienna is Austria’s economic centre. It has significant banking, insurance and manufacturing, sectors. Industrial diversity is typical as well as the production of consumer-oriented and high grade quality end products. Of prime importance is metal production and processing; ranking second is the food and drinks production, and in third place the printing industry. Other important areas are the production and processing of chemical products, the production and processing of synthetics, rubber and petroleum, vehicle construction as well as iron and hardware production, engine, steel and the construction trade. Forty percent of the city's surface area is dedicated to Vienna's agricultural sector, which produces enough vegetables to feed the city's population.
Vienna boasts one of the finest public transport systems in Europe; it is safe and easy to use, and consists of punctual buses and trams, a fast U-Bahn (underground) and S-Bahn (railway). The U-Bahn is the fastest way to get around the city, while the S-Bahn is the cheapest way to get to the airport. The tram network is one of the largest worldwide and is the next best way of getting about with the added advantage of being able to see the city. Buses are useful in the inner city where there are no trams. Taxis are plentiful, reliable and metered, but have a list of surcharges and are among the most expensive in Europe. The most romantic and expensive way to get around Vienna is by horse-drawn carriage, or Fiaker.
Vienna has an openly accessible education system, which seeks to maximise the promotion of all talents and professions. Compulsory education lasts for nine years including primary and lower secondary education plus a year of pre-school or a year of pre-vocational school. Primary education lasts for four years. Secondary education is divided into academic secondary schools, which last for 8 years, and lower secondary school, which lasts for four years, and upper secondary school, which lasts for four years. Vienna is a major university city and has nine public and seven private universities. The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna. Having opened in 1365, it is one of the oldest universities in Europe. It offers more than 130 courses of study.
Sightseeing in Vienna is dominated by beautiful historic attractions and cultural treasures. With everything from palaces to “flying horses”, this splendid city has hundreds of interesting sites and attractions to explore. The heart of Vienna is the Innerestadt and at its center point is the Graben; a large square and home to many shops and cafes. At the square’s eastern end is the commanding Stephansdom (St Stephen’s Cathedral).
Following the demolition of the city walls in 1857, the Ringstrasse was laid out and some of Vienna's most beautiful buildings were built along it, between 1858 and 1865. Among the most important are the Staatsoper (State Opera House), Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum), Parlament (Parliament), Rathaus (City Hall) and Burgtheater (Palace Theatre). The Imperial Palace is home to the Schatzkammer, which is the greatest treasury in the world and holds treasure from as far back as the Holy Roman Empire.
Karlskirche is the most outstanding Baroque church in the city and its 72 meters high dome flanked by two columns forms a dramatic landmark on the Viennese skyline. The church was commissioned by Emperor Charles VI after the Black Plague that swept Vienna in 1713 and is dedicated to the patron saint Charles Borromeo who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers. The lavishly decorated interior includes frescoes and visitors can get a closer look by taking the elevator to the roof.
Vienna has about 300 public balls listed in the ball calendar in the first three months of each year. Balls in the Hofburg Palace (Imperial Palace), where the Habsburgs reigned, in concert halls and the Opera House, under glittering chandeliers, among mirrors which multiply the hundreds of dancers to thousands. The undisputed jewel in the crown of balls is the famous Opernball (Opera Ball) on 19 February at the Staatsoper.The ball season officially lasts from New Year's Eve until Ash Wednesday the following year, but balls can occur up until June.
One of the world's most famous concerts, the Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Day Concert in the Musikverein's fabulous Golden Hall greets the New Year with dance music of the Strauss dynasty.
Vienna was home to many world-renowned celebrities and artists, such as: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Gustav Klimt (painter), Ludwig van Beethoven, Siegmund Freud (psychologist), Johann Strauß, Arthur Schnitzler (author) and Gustav Mahler (musicians).
