Page 22 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

20  INTRODUCING A USTRIA

prevented the destruction of the
unique flora around Hainburg,
the intended site for a
hydroelectric power plant. The
ecology movement gave rise to
the Green Federation, which is
winning ever more seats in
Parliament. It is perhaps thanks
to its activities that Austria
remains a natural paradise
for its many visitors.
Europabrücke, connecting northern and southern Europe
Tourism
play an important role in international The country has much to offer: winter
politics. Since 1955, when the Austrian sports on snow­covered slopes, or year­
State Treaty was signed and the country round on the glaciers, and beautiful
found itself at the centre between two mountains and lakes in summer all attract
worlds – Western capitalism and Soviet large numbers of visitors. The impressive
communism – it has often acted as an infrastructure offers superb conditions for
intermediary. Vienna has served as the rest and recreation. Nearly every resort
venue for important summits, and is boasts funicular railways and cable cars,
home to many UN agencies and inter­ chair and drag lifts, magnificent pistes and
national organizations, including the toboggan runs, outdoor and indoor
United Nations Industrial Development swimming pools, well maintained river
Organization (UNIDO), the International banks and lakes. There are plenty of places
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the for eating, and overnight accommodation
Organization of Petroleum Exporting ranges from small pensions and private
Countries (OPEC) Central Office. A member homes to luxury hotels, all guaranteeing a
of the European Union, Austria does very pleasant visit.
not belong to NATO. The 1955 Treaty The regional authorities take care
pledges neutrality for all time, and to ensure that entertainments are not
despite external and internal pressures, limited to large resorts, and organize
Austria retains this. sports events and art exhibitions, theatre
and music festivals, as well as festivities
At the heart of Europe
Roads once trodden by foreign armies
are today packed with sun­seeking tourists
from the north. Travelling through Vienna
and the Semmering Pass, they cross
the Alps at the Brenner Pass, where the
huge Europabrücke (European Bridge),
a vast viaduct, connects northern Europe
with the warm south. The heavy transit
traffic constitutes a major problem for
Austria, where great emphasis is placed
on protecting the natural environment.
Protest action by local ecology groups
stopped the building of a nuclear power Guests enjoying a dip in the thermal pool at a hotel
station in Zwentendorf and later in Lutzmannsburg

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