Facts about National Day

The name Austria derives from a Germanic word meaning 'eastern realm'. National Day Facts

Austria is a neutral country and the only continental European Union nation that is not a member of NATO. National Day Facts

The Austrian flag is one of the oldest national flags. The red and white stripes are first recorded in 1191, when Duke Leopold V fought in the siege of Acre during the Third Crusade. It was officially adopted as the national flag in 1918. National Day Facts

62% of the land area of Austria is covered by the Austrian Alps. National Day Facts

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hollywood actor and former governor of California, was born and grew up in Austria. National Day Facts

Vienna has the oldest zoo in the world. The Tiergarten Schönbrunn was founded as an imperial menagerie in 1752. National Day Facts

Austrian people work the longest in Europe, toiling for an average of 45 hours per week. National Day Facts

Stiftskeller St. Peter is said to be the oldest continually run restaurant in the world, opening its doors in 803 AD. National Day Facts

About a quarter of all Austrians live in Vienna. National Day Facts

Reaching a height of 380 metres, the Krimml Falls (Krimmler Wasserfalle), in High Tauern National Park in Salzburg state, Austria, are Europe's tallest waterfalls. National Day Facts