A Brief Overview of Austria and Its 9 Provinces

Here is a brief overview of the nine provinces of Austria:

  • Burgenland is the easternmost province of Austria. It is located in the Pannonian Plain and is bordered by Hungary to the east, Slovakia to the north, and the provinces of Lower Austria and Styria to the west. The capital of Burgenland is Eisenstadt.
  • Carinthia is located in the south of Austria. It is bordered by Slovenia to the south, Italy to the southwest, and the provinces of Salzburg and Styria to the north. The capital of Carinthia is Klagenfurt.
  • Lower Austria is the most populous province of Austria. It is located in the northeast of the country and is bordered by the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Burgenland to the east, Styria to the south, and Upper Austria to the west. The capital of Lower Austria is St. Pölten.
  • Salzburg is located in the west of Austria. It is bordered by Germany to the west, the province of Tyrol to the north, and the provinces of Upper Austria and Styria to the east. The capital of Salzburg is Salzburg.
  • Styria is located in the south-central part of Austria. It is bordered by the provinces of Carinthia and Salzburg to the south, Lower Austria to the east, and the provinces of Upper Austria and Tyrol to the north. The capital of Styria is Graz.
  • Tyrol is located in the west of Austria. It is bordered by Switzerland to the west, Italy to the south, the province of Salzburg to the east, and the province of Vorarlberg to the north. The capital of Tyrol is Innsbruck.
  • Upper Austria is located in the north-central part of Austria. It is bordered by the provinces of Salzburg and Styria to the south, the Czech Republic to the north, and the province of Lower Austria to the east. The capital of Upper Austria is Linz.
  • Vorarlberg is the westernmost province of Austria. It is located in the Alpine region and is bordered by Switzerland to the west, Liechtenstein to the north, and the province of Tyrol to the east. The capital of Vorarlberg is Bregenz.
  • Vienna is the capital of Austria and is located in the northeastern part of the country. It is an independent city-state and is not part of any province.

Each province has its own unique culture, history, and attractions. Burgenland is known for its wine and thermal baths, Carinthia is known for its lakes and mountains, Lower Austria is known for its Baroque architecture, Salzburg is known for its Mozart and its UNESCO-listed Old Town, Styria is known for its forests and its pumpkin seed oil, Tyrol is known for its skiing and its medieval towns, Upper Austria is known for its Linz Mozart Festival, Vorarlberg is known for its alpine scenery and its Bregenz Festival, and Vienna is known for its imperial palaces and its museums.

Here’s a table with approximate driving distances between the provincial capitals of Austria. These distances can vary depending on the route, so it’s best to consult a mapping service for exact details. The distances are given in kilometers.

Key:

  • VIE: Vienna
  • LNZ: Linz
  • GRZ: Graz
  • INN: Innsbruck
  • KLA: Klagenfurt
  • SLZ: Salzburg
  • STP: St. Pölten
  • BRG: Bregenz
  • EIS: Eisenstadt