Vienna is the capital of Austria and also the most largest city. Vienna is also called the cultural capital of Europe. The parliament of Austria is situated in Vienna. It is also the biggest cultural, economic and political center of Austria. The city has an approximate population of 1.7 million people. The city lies in the south-eastern corner of Central Europe and is close to Hungary, Slovakia and Czech republic. Vienna was founded around 500 BC, and was Celtic settlement. In 15 BC, it became a Roman frontier city and guarded the Roman Empire from the German tribes.

• Best time to visit:

  The climate in Vienna is moderate and of continental type. The winters are cold and the summers are warm here. In summer the temperature ranges between 20 degree to 30 degree on an average and in the winter it is around zero degree. Thunderstorms often occur during the summer and snowfall is common in winter. The monsoon stays for four months with an average and it rains for seven days in month. The spring and autumn are most comfortable in Vienna. The moderate climate of Vienna attracts large number of tourist round the year but the best time to visit Vienna is the beginning of summer, autumn and spring.

• Area and location:

  Vienna, the capital city of Austria and a part of lower Austria is located in the north-eastern part of the country and the south-eastern corner of Central Europe. The city is close to Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic. Vienna covers an area of 414.90 square kilometers where 95.33 per cent of the area is covered by land and 4.67 per cent by water. The city is situated on both sides of river Danube which flows through the northern suburbs and is located 40 kilometers away from the border of Austria.

• Delicacies/Cuisines of Vienna:

  Vienna is one of the major tourist destination in Austria. Apart from its geographical location, museums, cultural and heritage sites another thing that attracts large number of tourists to the Austrian capital is its cuisines. Vienna is famous all over the world for its wide variety of foods and drinks. The wide variety of foods and drinks are not only available in big hotels and restaurants but some most ordinary preparations that are available in the road side restaurants are also very popular. Some of the most famous cuisine of Vienna are:

  • Wiener schnitzel-Cutlet of veal that is pounded flat, coated in flour, egg and breadcrumbs, and fried in clarified butter
    
  • Tafelspitz-Very lean boiled beef served with boiled potatoes subsequently fried in oil
    
  • Apfelkren-Mixture of horseradish, cream and apple
    
  • Apfelstrudel-Hot apple strudel
    
  • Palatschinken-Sweet pancakes
    
  • Knödel-Dumplings
    
  • Sachertorte-Dry chocolate cake with apricot jam
    
  • Maroni-Hot chestnuts
    
  • Potato fritters
    
  • Sausages
    
    
• Government of Vienna:

  Vienna has a federal government. The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPO) is the ruling party in Vienna now with Michael Haupl as the Mayor and governor. Michael Haupl was elected as the Mayor and Governor in the year In 2001 as the SPÖ regained control of the state from the FPO with 52 seats. In October 2005, the SPO improved its figures with 55 seats on 49.09%. the names of other city councilors with their departments are given below:

  • Grete Laska is the vice-mayor and vice-governor and executive city councilor for education, youth, information and sports.

  • Renate Brauner is the executive city councilor for finance, economic affairs and public utilities.

  • Sandra Frauenberger looks after women's issues, consumer protection and personnel.

  • Michael Ludwig looks after housing construction and urban renewal.

  • Ulli Sima looks after environment.

  • Paul Andreas Mailath- Pokorny is in charge of public, health and hospitals.

  • Rudolf Schicker has been given the responsibility of urban development, traffic and transport.

The Parliament of Austria is also in Vienna and at present a coalition government formed by the People's party and Social democrats are ruling the country with social democrat Alfred Gusenbauer as the Chancellor.

For more detailed information on Vienna click on the following links given below: countriesandcapitals.