Austria

Official Language

Austrian German

Destination Stats

Population
Surface Area
Temperature
Water
Energy
Air Quality
Flora
Fauna

Austria is a landlocked central European nation whose climate is largely influenced by the Mediterranean Sea and the Alpine mountain range.  Among many of its unique ecological features, Austria focuses more on the quality of its agriculture than its quantity as it is Europe’s #1 organic farming country.  It is also one of Europe’s most biodiverse countries.

This section provides additional distinctive details about Austria that define its ecological uniqueness.  Just choose any tab for the area you would like to explore.

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  • Total Population: 8,974,425 (2024) | Projected by 2030 – 9,054,576.
  • World Rank: 101, 0.11% of the world’s total population.
  • Population Density: 109 people per km² | 282 people per mi²
  • Most Populous City: Vienna | 1,913,917 (2024)
  • Least Populous City: [Specific city in Austria] | [Population] (2024)
  • Least Populous Village (non-urban): [Specific village in Austria] | [Population] (2024)
  • Per person: 2.5 global hectares.
  • Biocapacity: 1.7 global hectares.
  • Global ranking: 89
  • Per person: 6.06global hectares
  • Biocapacity: 3.07 global hectares per person
  • Biocapacity Reserve or Deficit: -2.99 global hectares
  • Global comparison/ranking: 21
  • Agriculture – 64.3%
  • Pastures & Grazing: 35.7%
  • Arable Land and Permanent Crops: 28.6% • Forests – 34% • Non-Agricultural/Artificial Space (Human Development): 1.1% • Open/Bare Spaces – 0.1% • Wetlands & Water Bodies: 0.1% • Semi-Natural Vegetation: 0.4%
  • Primary Food Products 
  • Main food crops: Wheat, barley, corn, potatoes, sugar beets 
  • Top Non-crop Food Commodities: Beef, pork, dairy products 
  • Top Non-Food Products: Machinery, vehicles, chemicals, electronics
  • Average Annual Surface Temperature: 9.6°C | 49.3°F
  • Spring (March – May): 5°C – 15°C | 41°F – 59°
    • Conditions: Mostly dry with moderate temperatures.
  • Summer (June – August): 15°C – 25°C | 59°F – 77°F
    • Conditions: Warm temperatures with occasional rain.
  • Fall (September – November): 5°C – 15°C | 41°F – 59°F
    • Conditions: Transition to cooler temperatures, moderate rainfall.
  • Winter (December – February): -5°C – 5°C | 23°F – 41°F
    • Conditions: Cold temperatures, occasional snow.
  • Hottest Month (average high): July | 20°C – 25°C | 68°F – 77°F
  • Coldest Month (average low): January | -5°C – 0°C | 23°F – 32°F
  • Coldest temperature on record: -52.6°C |-62.7°F on February 19, 1932, at Grünloch Doline in the Ybbstal Alps in Lower Austria.
  • Hottest temperature on record: 38.5°C|101.3°F on August 8, 2013 in Vienna.
  • Surface water: 62.03 bcm | 16,396.48 trillion gallons.
  • Ground water: 14.48 bcm | 3,825.68 trillion gallons.
  • Total Water volume: 76.508 m³ | 20,208.6 quadrillion gallons.
  • Potable Water Supply per Person: 3,606 m³/year | 953.041 million gallons.
  • Average Precipitation: 725 mm | 28.54 inches.
  • Approximately 77% of Austria’s population relies on public water supply with 23% dependent on domestic wells.
  • Total Energy Used: 7,872.384 trillion BTU | 188 MTOE | 2,308.007 billion kWh (kilowatt hours)
  • Global Rank in Energy Consumption: 21
  • Percentage of Total Global Energy Consumption: 0.9
  • Primary fuel sources used:
    • Oil: 36.9%
    • Natural Gas: 17.5%
    • Renewable Energy: 32.9%
    • Coal: 7.8%
    • Combustible Waste: 2.3%
    • Other Imports: 2.6% 
  • Important Facts:
    • Almost 87% of Austria’s electricity needs comes from renewable energy.
    • Renewable Energy Sources:
      • Hydropower – 66.7%
      • Wind – 12.9
      • Solar – 6.9%
      • Biomass and other renewables – 13.5%
  • Total Identified Living Species: ~63,917 Flora and Fauna.
    • Identified Fauna: 53,923
    • Identified Flora, Fungi, and Others: ~9,994
  • Total Number of Endangered/Threatened Plant and Animal Species: 2,324
    • Plant Species: 18
    • Animal Species: 33
  • Threatened and endangered species are primarily affected by:
    • Habitat Loss and Degradation (human activity)
    • Climate change
    • Hunting

Here are six fascinating and intriguing Natural Wonders of Austria… among many:

  • Eisriesenwelt: The largest ice cave in the world, located in Werfen. This stunning natural wonder features intricate ice formations and offers a mesmerizing glimpse into Austria’s geological history.
  • Krimml Waterfalls: The highest waterfall in Austria, situated in the Hohe Tauern National Park. The cascading waters of the Krimml Waterfalls create a breathtaking spectacle of natural beauty.
  • Grossglockner High Alpine Road: A scenic route that traverses the highest mountain pass in Austria, offering panoramic views of the alpine landscape, including the majestic Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak.
  • Dachstein Glacier: A stunning glacier in the Northern Limestone Alps, known for its ice caves, skywalks, and panoramic views. It is a popular destination for winter sports and summer hiking.
  • Wachau Valley: A picturesque region along the Danube River, famous for its vineyards, historic towns, and stunning landscapes. The Wachau Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site, renowned for its cultural and natural significance.
  • Neusiedler See: A shallow lake in the Burgenland region, straddling the border between Austria and Hungary. It is a unique natural habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Destinations – Austria is a proprietary presentation of Ecology Prime™ in collaboration with the Ecology Prime Foundation and iConsult Collaborative in the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University.

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Welcome from Republic of Austria!

Austria is an ecologically captivating Central European nation with high biodiversity and a moderate continental climate that is largely influenced by the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas.  Home to nearly nine million people, Austria is a landlocked country bordered by eight other European countries including Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.

Ruins of Aggstein Castle in Wachau Valley, Lower Austria. Wachau Valley is a World Heritage Site that people have inhabited for thousands of years without significantly or excessively changing the landscape. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia CC 3.0 by Uoaei1)

Nestled in the crescent-shaped mountain range of the Alps, Austria is home to over 67,000 plant and animal species, including rich aquatic life. Its diversity is due to varied terrains and environments from the Alps to the Pannonian plains.  Two-thirds of Austria’s total area is covered by woods and meadows and forests occupy about two-fifths of the country. Its freshwater ecoregions include the Upper Danube River region that includes alpine and subalpine lakes that are rich in a wide range of aquatic life.

Natural landscapes like the Hohe Tauern – the largest national park in the Alps, are spread across the Austrian region, featuring primeval forests, rugged cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. The country’s alpine allure extends from Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain and centerpiece of High Tauern National Park, to the world’s largest ice cave, Eisriesenwelt, which extends for over 26 miles near the city of Salzburg.

Austria’s commitment to biodiversity is reflected in its National Biodiversity Strategy and sustainable development goals related to climate action, water management, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture. These efforts help maintain Austria’s ecological integrity and ensure the protection of its diverse species and habitats.Welcome to Austria’s ecological hub on Ecology Prime! This is Austria….

Pumpkin field in Patzmannsdorf, Austria (Wikimedia CC 4.0 by Haeferl)

Official Language:  Austrian German

  • Austrian German became official language in the territory at the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, in 1867, and then reconfirmed in 1920 with the Austrian Constitution and in 1955, when the country gained independence. It is spoken by most Austrians.
  • Austria also recognizes two unofficial languages:  Alemannic (spoken in westernmost federal state) and Austro-Bavarian (spoken in northern and southern parts of Austria).
  • Austria also recognizes several regional languages including Croatian, Hungarian, Slovenian, Hungarian, Serbian, Turkish.

Unique Austria Facts: Did You Know…?

Panoramic view of Werfen, Austria, from Eisriesenwelt ice and limestone caves.
(Wikimedia Creative Commons 2.0 by Stiller Beobachter of Ansbach, Germany)
  • A very small percentage of Austrians is involved in agriculture. The average size of a farm in Austria is 18.2 hectares (45 acres).
  • Still, with emphasis on quality over quantity, Austria is considered Europe’s #1 organic farming country as it fosters reduction in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
  • The Austrian flag is one of the oldest national flags in the world, dating from 1191.
  • Austria has zero nuclear power plants.  It get most of its energy from renewable energy sources with hydropower providing 60% of its electricity.
  • The world’s oldest still-operating restaurant, established in AD 803, St. Peter Stiftskulinarium is in Salzburg. Christopher Columbus, Johann Georg Faust, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are said to have been served at the restaurant. 
  • The name Alps originates from the Latin word albus, meaning “white,” possibly referring to the Alps’ snow-covered mountains or the light color of its glaciers.
St. Francis of Assisi Church – Vienna, Austria (Pexels by Pierre Blache.)
  • The three major Alpine ranges, (the Northern Alps, Central Alps, and the Southern Alps) run west to east through Austria, covering 62% of the country’s total land area, leaving the remaining land hilly, with low-lying plains to the east. 
  • Austria is one of the most the most densely forested in Central Europe, with forests covering two-fifths of the country while two-thirds of the total area is covered by woods and meadows.  
  • The Hohe Tauern National Park is the largest national park in the Alps and one of the largest protected areas in Central Europe, featuring ancient forests, green rolling meadows, rugged cliff-faces, and waterfalls.
  • Grossglockner, also known as Glockner, is the highest mountain in Austria and the highest mountain in the Alps east of the Brenner Pass. It is 3,798 meters (12,461 feet) above sea level. 
  • One of the oldest alpine ski resorts is in Kirchberg, Tirol. Its first chairlift was built in 1928.
  • Hallstatt is the oldest still inhabited village in the Europe, dating back to around 800 BC. It is in the Alps, between the Salzkammergut mountains and Hallstatt Lake. 
  • The famous highest-selling energy drink, Red Bull, was established in Austria in 1984. Ecologically speaking, the Red Bull Company uses a closed-loop production process that recycles and limits waste materials, plus they use renewable energy sources like solar power to help minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Republic of Austria’s Home Statistics

(Note: Some statistics are approximate due to varying methods of recording by various established sources, i.e., population, living species and water volume totals.  Others are more precise, i.e., surface area, precipitation/rainfall, air quality and temperatures.)

Population

Total Population: 8,974,425 (2024) | Projected by (2030) – 9,054,576

  • World Rank: 101, 0.11% of the world’s total population.
  • Population Density: 109 people per km2 | 282 people per mi2
  • Most Populous City:  Vienna | 1,990,487 (2024) 
  • Least Populous City: Rattenberg| 464 (2024)

Surface Area

Total Surface Area: 83,878 km2 | 32,386 mi2

  • World Rank: 114
  • 98% is Land Surface Area:  8,2445km2 | 31,832mi2 – 0.016% of the world’s total land area.
  • 2% is Water Surface Area: 1426km2 |551mi2 – 0.00028% of the world’s water surface.

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Temperature

Average Annual Temperature (2023): 16.97°C |62.54°F

  • Average High – 31.11°C |88°F, Average Low – 20°C | 68°F. 
    (Based on average temperatures from central upland and coastal lowlands areas.)
  • Hottest Month (average high): July | 36°C – 37°C | 96.8°F – 98.6°F 
  • Coldest Month (average low): January | -24°C – -23°C | -11.2°F – -9.4°F 
  • Coldest temperature on record: -52.6°C |-62.7°F in February 1932 at Grünloch Doline in the Ybbstal Alps in Lower Austria.
  • Hottest temperature on record: 38.5°C|101.3°F on August 8, 2013, in Vienna.

Water

Total Water Volume:  86 billion cubic meters (bcm)| 26.42 trillion gallons 

  • Surface water: 0.78bcm | 206.74 trillion gallons. 
  • Ground water: 78bcm | 20618.18 trillion gallons.
  • Annual Precipitation (average): 1100 mm | 43.307 inches.
  • Potable (rechargeable) water supply per capita:  92 km3/year |24.3 million gallons.

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Energy

Annual Total Energy Usage (est. for 2023): 1.3 trillion BTU (30 MTOE – megatonnes of oil equivalent or 380 billion kWh – kilowatt hours) 

  • Global ranking in energy consumption: 27
  • Percentage of Total Global Energy Consumption: 0.26%m -3.5 toe | 7,200 kWh per capita – ranks 17% above EU average – 2022
  • Energy Sources: Oil 36.9% | Coal – 7.8% | Natural Gas– 17.5% | Renewables – 32.9%  |Combustible Waste – 2.3% | Other Imports – 2.6%
  • Renewable Energy Sources: Wind – 12.9% | Solar – 6.9% | Hydro – 66.7% | Biomass and other -renewables – 13.5%
  • Electricity Sources: Fossil Fuels – 13% | Renewables – 87%

Air Quality

Air Quality Index – AQI: 37 – Good (2024)

(Current AQI is the average of Austria’s 8 most polluted and 8 least polluted cities.)

  • Global ranking – 98th most polluted nation of 134 monitored. 
  • Most polluted city: Graz (2024) | AQI = 60 – Moderate 
  • Least polluted city: Reichraming (2024) | AQI = 20 – Good 
  • Major pollutants and sources: motor vehicle traffic, heating and industry.

Featured: Biological Footprint




Scotland’s Estimated Living Species (Flora and Fauna): ~80,000

~ About 0.96% of the world’s total ~ 8.7 million living species. Following is a listing of those estimated species that have been identified.

(Note: Many species have been identified but not classified resulting in approximate numbers being provided in some cases.)

Flora

Identified Flora:  ~9,994 species.

  • Flowering Plants: ~3,000
  • Ferns and Lycophytes: 44 
  • Liverworts/Mosses: ~600
  • Gymnosperms (Conifers, Cycads): ~50
  • Others: ~300

Total Number of Critically Endangered/Endangered/Threatened Plant and Animal Species: 74

  •  Plant species: 14 endangered species, and 4 threatened species.
  • Animal species: 5 are vulnerable, 27 as endangered, and 1 as critically endangered. 
  • Threatened and endangered species are primarily affected by habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation.

Endangered Plant Species (examples):

Nees’ Hornwort (Anthoceros neesii), Stipa styriaca, Sorbus slovenica, Pinus mugo subsp. rotundata, Aldrovanda vesiculosa (Waterwheel) 

Endangered Animal Species (examples):Orsini’s Viper, Freshwater Pearl Mussel, Hutchen Fish.

Fauna

Identified Fauna: 53,923

  • Invertebrates – 53,056
  • Sponges: 6
  • Protozoa: ~1,500
  • Cnidaria: 3
  • Worms: ~6,255
  • Bryozoa (Polyzoa or moss animals): 15
  • Arthropods, Crustaceans, spiders: 4,730
  • Mollusks: 537
  • 40,010 insects
  • Vertebrates – 867
  • Amphibians: 24
  • Reptiles: 6
  • Fishes: 84
  • Birds: 643
  • Mammals: 11

(Source: ResearchGate: How Many Animal Species are there in Austria?)

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Orsini’s Viper (Wikimedia CC 3.0 by Benny Trapp)

Sources and Research


Research and Development Credits

Destinations – Austria is a proprietary presentation of Ecology Prime™ in collaboration with the Ecology Prime Foundation and iConsult Collaborative in the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University.

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