Page 241 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Austria

A USTRIA REGION B Y REGION  239
TYROL AND VORARLBERG

Both Tyrol and Vorarlberg lie on a narrow stretch of land
west of Salzburg. Their main attractions is the Alps –
few areas are below 500 m (1,640 ft) – and tourism is
their primary source of income. Tyrol is famous for its
magnificent scenery and world-renowned resorts
such as Kitzbühel, Seefeld and St Anton, while
Vorarlberg draws visitors seeking a more relaxed, rural environment.

Tyrol occupies an area of 12,648 sq km degree of independence. To this day it has
(4,883 sq miles) and has a population of maintained its unique character, music,
722,000. Its neighbours are Bavaria in the dialect and even fashion, which has
north, Italy in the south, Vorarlberg in the influenced cultural life in the rest of Austria.
west and Salzburger Land in the east. The province of Vorarlberg, in contrast,
The Inn is the province’s main river, winding has for many years been culturally fairly
its way through the Alpine massifs. separate, largely orientating itself towards
In ancient times Tyrol was inhabited by its neighbours Germany, Liechtenstein
Rhaetian and Illyrian tribes; it came under and Switzerland. After Vienna, it is the
Roman rule in the 1st century BC, and later smallest Austrian province, covering an
fell to the Bavarians and the Lombards. area of just 2,600 sq km (1,000 sq miles),
In the 13th century, it became an with 375,000 inhabitants. It was once
independent principality of the Reich. inhabited by Aleman tribes. From the
Until 1363, having been a bone of 15th century the area of present-day
contention between the Habsburgs and Vorarlberg passed gradually into the
the Bavarians, it was bequeathed to the hands of the Habsburgs, and in 1919
Habsburgs. Tyrol was a domain of the it finally became a province of
family’s junior line and as such enjoyed a independent Austria.

The beautiful Lünersee in the province of Vorarlberg
Lech am Arlberg, a popular ski resort in Vorarlberg

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