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Salzburg (state)

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Salzburg, also known as Salzburgerland, is a federal state located in the north-west of Austria.

Bezirke Salzburg mit Namen
Bezirke Salzburg mit Namen

It sits near the border of the German state of Bavaria and is close to Italy to the south. The state is a vital part of the Austrian landscape, known for its high mountains and cultural history. It is one of the smaller states in Austria by population, with 561,714 inhabitants. The region is defined by its connection to the Alps and its famous namesake, the city of Salzburg.

The geography of the state is shaped by the Salzach river. This river rises in the Central Eastern Alps in the south. It flows north through the state toward the Alpine foothills.

Alpen by Horst Michael Lechner
Alpen by Horst Michael Lechner

The southern part of the state contains the main ranges of the Alpine divide. This includes the Hohe Tauern mountains, which feature many peaks over 3,000 meters high. To the north and east, the Northern Limestone Alps, such as the Dachstein massif, form the borders.

Administratively, the state is divided into five major traditional regions called Gaue. These regions align with the six political districts, or Bezirke. In the north lies Flachgau, which contains the Salzburg Basin. This area is a flat region near the confluence of the Salzach and Saalach rivers. South of this is Tennengau, named after the Tennen Mountains. The southern, mountainous area is called the Innergebirg. This area is split into three parts: Pinzgau in the southwest, Pongau in the center, and Lungau in the southeast.

Bezirke Salzburg mit Namen
Bezirke Salzburg mit Namen

The history of Salzburg is deeply tied to salt mining. The name "Salzburg" actually means "salt city." For many centuries, the region was an ecclesiastical principality. This means it was ruled by Prince-Archbishops within the Holy Roman Empire. This independent state existed until the process of German Mediatisation in 1803. After the Napoleonic Wars, the territory changed hands several times. It became part of Austria, then briefly part of Bavaria. In 1816, following the Congress of Vienna, it was permanently incorporated into the Austrian Empire.

During the 20th century, Salzburg experienced significant political shifts. After World War I, the Duchy of Salzburg was dissolved. It was replaced by the State of Salzburg as part of the Republic of Austria. In 1938, the state was incorporated into Nazi Germany. Following the defeat of Germany in 1945, the United States occupied the territory. Austria became an independent state again in 1955. This established Salzburg as one of the federal states of the Second Republic.

Salzburg is a major economic contributor to Austria. In 2018, its gross domestic product (GDP) was 29 billion euros. This accounted for 7.5% of the total economic output of Austria. The state has a very high GDP per capita. In 2018, this figure was 46,500 euros. This amount was 154% of the average for the EU27 nations. This makes Salzburg the state with the highest GDP per capita in Austria, after Vienna.

The culture and architecture of the state are world-renowned. The historic center of Salzburg City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The architecture is heavily influenced by the Baroque and Rococo periods. Notable examples include the Salzburg Cathedral, the first Baroque building in the German-speaking world. Other important structures include Hohenwerfen Castle and the Hohensalzburg Fortress.

Salzburg Chiemseehof
Salzburg Chiemseehof

The state is also famous for the annual Salzburg Festival. Even the landscape supports tourism, such as the ski runs in the Gastein Valley.

002 Österreich Skigebiet - Bad Gastein ski piste, Stubnerkogel mountain
002 Österreich Skigebiet - Bad Gastein ski piste, Stubnerkogel mountain
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🖼️ Images & Media (17)
Salzburger Landeshymne.ogg
File:Alpen by Horst Michael Lechner.jpg
Alpen by Horst Michael Lechner.jpg
File:Bezirke Salzburg mit Namen.svg
Bezirke Salzburg mit Namen.svg
File:AUT Salzburg (Stadt) COA.svg
AUT Salzburg (Stadt) COA.svg
File:Hallein (Austria) Coat of Arms CoA.svg
Hallein (Austria) Coat of Arms CoA.svg
File:AUT Saalfelden COA.svg
AUT Saalfelden COA.svg
File:Wappen at st johann.png
Wappen at st johann.png
File:AT Bischofshofen COA.svg
AT Bischofshofen COA.svg
File:AUT Zell am See COA.svg
AUT Zell am See COA.svg
File:Wappen at seekirchen.png
Wappen at seekirchen.png
File:Wappen at neumarkt am wallersee.png
Wappen at neumarkt am wallersee.png
File:Wappen at oberndorf bei salzburg.png
Wappen at oberndorf bei salzburg.png

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