Lower Austria

Quick Facts: Who was Lower Austria?

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Lower Austria

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One of Austria's nine states, known for its diverse geography and historical significance.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Lower Austria (German: Niederösterreich pronounced [ˈniːdɐˌ(ʔ)øːstɐraɪç] , Bavarian: Niedaöstareich, abbreviated LA or NÖ) is one of the nine states of Austria, located in the northeastern corner of the country. Major cities are Amstetten, Krems an der Donau, Wiener Neustadt and Sankt Pölten, which has been the capital of Lower Austria since 1986, replacing Vienna, which became a separate state in 1921. With a land area of 19,186 km2 (7,408 sq mi) and a population of 1.7 million people, Lower Austria is the largest and second-most-populous state in Austria (after Vienna). With a land area of 19,186 km2 (7,408 sq mi) situated east of Upper Austria, Lower Austria is the country's largest state. Lower Austria derives its name from its downriver location on the river Enns, which flows from the west to the east.

Career & Major Achievements

Lower Austria has an international border, 414 km (257 mi) long, with the Czech Republic (South Bohemia and South Moravia) and Slovakia (Bratislava and Trnava Regions). The state has the second-longest external border of all Austrian states. It also borders the other Austrian states of Upper Austria, Styria and Burgenland as well as surrounding Vienna. Lower Austria is divided into four regions, known as Viertel (quarters): Mostviertel (above the Vienna Woods) Industrieviertel (below the Vienna Woods) Weinviertel (below the Manhartsberg) Waldviertel (above the Manhartsberg) These regions have different geographical structures. Whilst the Mostviertel is dominated by the foothills of the Limestone Alps with mountains up to 2,000 m (AA) (6,500 ft) high, most of the Waldviertel is a granite plateau.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The hilly Weinviertel lies to the northeast, descends to the plains of Marchfeld in the east of the state, and is separated by the Danube from the Vienna Basin to the south, which in turn is separated from the Vienna Woods by a line of thermal springs (the Thermenlinie) running north to south. Schneeberg (Klosterwappen; 2,076 m) Rax (Scheibwaldhöhe; 1,943 m; highest summit: Heukuppe; 2,007 m – Styria) Ötscher (1,893 m) Dürrenstein (1,878 m) Schneealpe (Ameisbühel; 1,828 m; highest summit: Windberg; 1,903 m – Styria) Hochkar (1,808 m) Gamsstein (1,774 m) Stumpfmauer (1,770 m) Göller (1,766 m) Hochwechsel (1,743 m) Gippel (1,669 m) Großer Sonnleitstein (1,639 m) Großer Zellerhut (1,639 m) Gemeindealpe (1,626 m) Scheiblingstein (1,622 m) (not to be confused with Scheiblingstein (2,197 m), which is in Styria) Drahtekogel (1,565 m) Sonnwendstein (1,523 m) Obersberg (1,467 m) Königsberg (1,452 m) Großer Sulzberg (1,400 m) Reisalpe (1,399 m) Gahns (1,380 m) Tirolerkogel (1,377 m) Türnitzer Höger (1,372 m) Unterberg (1,342 m) Traisenberg (1,230 m) Dürre Wand (1,222 m) Hohenstein (1,195 m) Eisenstein (1,185 m) Hohe Wand (1,132 m) Großer Peilstein (1,061 m) Weinsberg (1,041 m) Hocheck (1,036 m) Nebelstein (1,017 m) Eibl (1,007 m) Hohe Mandling (967 m) Jauerling (961 m) Hoher Lindkogel also named Eisernes Tor (834 m) Anninger (675 m) Buschberg (491 m) Other mountains in Lower Austria may be found at Category:Mountains of Lower Austria. Semmering (985 m) Wechsel (943 m) The state border with Styria runs over both passes. Almost all of Lower Austria is drained by the Danube. The only river that flows into the North Sea (via the Moldau and the Elbe) is the Lainsitz in northern Waldviertel.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1986: 1986 Milestone — Major cities are Amstetten, Krems an der Donau, Wiener Neustadt and Sankt Pölten, which has been the capital of Lower Austria since 1986, replacing Vienna, which became a separate state in 1921.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Lower Austria

True or False: “The name 'Lower Austria' is derived from its location relative to which major river?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The names Lower and Upper Austria reference the Enns River; 'below the Enns' designated the lower region.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Lower Austria