What is Oberösterreich?

Oberösterreich, also known as Upper Austria, is a Bundesland (federal state) located in northern Austria. It shares borders with Germany and the Czech Republic to the west and north, respectively. Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) borders it to the east, and Steiermark (Styria) and Salzburg to the south. The state is situated between the Inn and Enns rivers and is traversed by the Danube River . Farming and forestry are major land uses, with stock farming concentrated in the Alpine foreland. Linz , Wels, and Steyr are among its principal towns.

Where is Oberösterreich located in Austria?

Oberösterreich, also known as Upper Austria, is a Bundesland (federal state) located in the northern part of Austria. It shares borders with Germany and the Czech Republic to the west and north. Within Austria, it is bound by Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) to the east, and Steiermark (Styria) and Salzburg to the south. Geographically, Oberösterreich lies between the Inn and Enns rivers and is traversed by the Danube River . Much of the state is part of the Austrian granite plateau. The southern part of the state is Alpine, comprising limestone mountains and the Flysch foothills, including most of the Salzkammergut resort region .

What is the capital city of Oberösterreich?

Linz is the capital city of Oberösterreich, a federal state in northern Austria. Oberösterreich, also known as Upper Austria, is located between the Inn and Enns rivers and is traversed by the Danube River. Linz became the capital in 1490, following Enns, Steyr, and Wels. Today, Linz is an important industrial and cultural center, with a rich history evident in its architecture and institutions.

What are some major rivers or natural features in Oberösterreich?

Oberösterreich (Upper Austria), located north of the Austrian Alps, features a landscape graced by mountains, forests and the Danube River . North of the Alps, a hilly subalpine region stretches to the Danube, while a wooded area extends north of the river, part of the Bohemian Massif. The Salzkammergut region, known as the Austrian Lake District, lies in Upper Austria and is characterized by more than 30 lakes, including the Atter , Traun , Mond, and Wolfgang . The Traun River basin is a main feature of the Salzkammergut region. Other major tributaries of the Danube in the area include the Inn , Iller, Lech, Isar, Traun, Enns, and Morava rivers.

What is the economy of Oberösterreich known for?

Oberösterreich's economy has undergone massive industrial development since World War II. The state is known for its chemical industry, iron and steelworks, staple-fiber plants, and aluminum plants. Other significant activities include food processing, automobile and agricultural machinery manufacturing, and sawmilling. The service sector has become the most important economic base in the state in the later 20th century.

What are some important cultural traditions or festivals in Oberösterreich?

In Austria, regional traditions and customs play a vital role in cultural life, especially in smaller towns. Many Austrians celebrate major Christian holidays with traditions rooted in pre-Christian times. In the mountainous regions of Oberösterreich, Steiermark, and Tirol, the Glöcklerlauf festival occurs the evening before Epiphany (January 6). During the festival, young men and boys wear clanging bells and carry large, handmade masks to drive away winter's evil spirits. The Ländler is a traditional couple dance from Alpine Austria with variants such as the Schuhplattler, a courtship dance.

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Oberösterreich

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Also known as: Upper Austria

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What is Oberösterreich?
Oberösterreich, also known as Upper Austria, is a Bundesland (federal state) located in northern Austria. It shares borders with Germany and the Czech Republic to the west and north, respectively. Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) borders it to the east, and Steiermark (Styria) and Salzburg to the south.

The state is situated between the Inn and Enns rivers and is traversed by the Danube River. Farming and forestry are major land uses, with stock farming concentrated in the Alpine foreland. Linz, Wels, and Steyr are among its principal towns.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Where is Oberösterreich located in Austria?
Oberösterreich, also known as Upper Austria, is a Bundesland (federal state) located in the northern part of Austria. It shares borders with Germany and the Czech Republic to the west and north. Within Austria, it is bound by Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) to the east, and Steiermark (Styria) and Salzburg to the south.

Geographically, Oberösterreich lies between the Inn and Enns rivers and is traversed by the Danube River. Much of the state is part of the Austrian granite plateau. The southern part of the state is Alpine, comprising limestone mountains and the Flysch foothills, including most of the Salzkammergut resort region.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What is the capital city of Oberösterreich?
Linz is the capital city of Oberösterreich, a federal state in northern Austria. Oberösterreich, also known as Upper Austria, is located between the Inn and Enns rivers and is traversed by the Danube River. Linz became the capital in 1490, following Enns, Steyr, and Wels. Today, Linz is an important industrial and cultural center, with a rich history evident in its architecture and institutions.
5 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some major rivers or natural features in Oberösterreich?
Oberösterreich (Upper Austria), located north of the Austrian Alps, features a landscape graced by mountains, forests and the Danube River. North of the Alps, a hilly subalpine region stretches to the Danube, while a wooded area extends north of the river, part of the Bohemian Massif.

The Salzkammergut region, known as the Austrian Lake District, lies in Upper Austria and is characterized by more than 30 lakes, including the Atter, Traun, Mond, and Wolfgang. The Traun River basin is a main feature of the Salzkammergut region. Other major tributaries of the Danube in the area include the Inn, Iller, Lech, Isar, Traun, Enns, and Morava rivers.
5 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What is the economy of Oberösterreich known for?
Oberösterreich's economy has undergone massive industrial development since World War II. The state is known for its chemical industry, iron and steelworks, staple-fiber plants, and aluminum plants.

Other significant activities include food processing, automobile and agricultural machinery manufacturing, and sawmilling. The service sector has become the most important economic base in the state in the later 20th century.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Oberösterreich
2. Austria: Manufacturing
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What are some important cultural traditions or festivals in Oberösterreich?
In Austria, regional traditions and customs play a vital role in cultural life, especially in smaller towns. Many Austrians celebrate major Christian holidays with traditions rooted in pre-Christian times.

In the mountainous regions of Oberösterreich, Steiermark, and Tirol, the Glöcklerlauf festival occurs the evening before Epiphany (January 6). During the festival, young men and boys wear clanging bells and carry large, handmade masks to drive away winter's evil spirits.

The Ländler is a traditional couple dance from Alpine Austria with variants such as the Schuhplattler, a courtship dance.
3 Britannica Sources
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Oberösterreich, Bundesland (federal state), northern Austria. It borders Germany and the Czech Republic on the west and north and is bounded by Bundesländer Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) on the east and Steiermark (Styria) and Salzburg on the south. Oberösterreich lies between the Inn and the Enns rivers and is traversed by the Danube River.

Part of the Austrian granite plateau, called the Mühlviertel (Mühl District, after its main river), occupies the northeastern portion of the state, north of the Danube. Sloping gently from northwest to southeast, this plateau’s undulating surface has poor soil and is extensively wooded, with grassland at lower elevations. The southern part of the state is Alpine, comprising limestone mountains and the Flysch foothills and including most of the Salzkammergut resort region, with its many lakes and high peaks. The upland areas of the state are barren, with extensive forests on the lower slopes and meadows and some arable land in the valleys. Although the Salzkammergut has long been settled because of its salt resources, Bad Ischl, Gmunden, and Ebensee are the only towns of any size in it. The most economically important part of the state lies between the Danube and the Alps to the south. The forested slopes of the Hausruck Mountains and the Kobernausser Forest in the center have deposits of brown coal (lignite). Loess cover on the upper terraces provides fertile soil.

Salt deposits attracted settlement in prehistoric times, especially at Hallstatt, and later in the Roman period. In 1192 the Traungau (the nucleus of modern Oberösterreich) became an appendage of the duchy of Austria, and the 10th-century name Ostarichi (“Eastern Region”) was extended to areas west of the Enns River. Oberösterreich was divided from Niederösterreich in about 1450, and Linz became its capital in 1490 (following Enns, Steyr, and Wels). The official name until 1918 was Österreich ober der Enns, but it was popularly called Oberösterreich. During the Anschluss, or incorporation of Austria into Germany (1938–45), Oberösterreich became the larger Reichsgau Oberdonau (“Upper Danube Reich District”).

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After World War II the population was increased by more than 100,000 refugees, and the density is now one of the highest of all the Bundesländer. Ethnically the people are German, and about 90 percent are Roman Catholic. The principal towns are Linz, Wels, Steyr, Traun, Braunau, Bad Ischl, Gmunden, Ried, Vöcklabruck, Enns, Leonding, and Ansfelden.

Farming occupies more than half of the land, and forestry about one-third. More than half of the agricultural land is pasture, mainly in the highest regions. The most intensive stock farming is done in the Alpine foreland, where grain (wheat, rye), sugar beets, potatoes, and fruit are also raised. Large tracts of forest, especially in the Alps, are state-owned.

Salt is mined in the Salzkammergut; farther west, granite and limestone are quarried. After 1959 oil wells near Ried came in production.

There was massive industrial development in Oberösterreich during the Anschluss and after World War II. The important Linz chemical industry (nitrogen) and ironworks and steelworks, the Lenzing staple-fiber plant, and the aluminum plant at Ranshofen all date from that period. Other activities include dairying, food processing, beet-sugar refining, brewing, automobile, agricultural machinery, and textile manufacturing, tanning, and sawmilling (with a timber industry and paper and cellulose plants). In the later 20th century the service sector became the most important economic base of the state. Trade is also significant; major retail and wholesale centers include Linz, Vöcklabruck, Wels, Ried, Steyr, Gmunden, and Schärding. The Danube has retained its medieval role in commerce and trade, and Oberösterreich is well served by rail and road. Air traffic at Linz airport is of minor importance. Area 4,626 square miles (11,980 square km). Pop. (2006) 1,402,302; (2011) 1,413,762.

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