Page 241 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - 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 are the alps –
few areas are below 500 m (1,640 ft) – and tourism is
their primary source of income. the 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.

The Tyrol occupies an area of 12,648 sq km independence. To this day it has maintained
(4,883 sq miles) and has a population of its unique character, music, dialect and
722,000. Its neighbours are Bavaria in the even fashion, which has shaped cultural
north, Italy in the south, Vorarlberg in the 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 2,601 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.
Until 1363 it remained a bone of contention From the 15th century the area of
between the Habsburgs and the Bavarians, present-day Vorarlberg passed gradually
when it was bequeathed to the Habsburgs. into the hands of the Habsburgs, and in
Tyrol was a domain of the family’s junior 1919 it finally became an independent
line and as such enjoyed a degree of Austrian province.

The beautiful Lünersee in the province of Vorarlberg, hidden between snow-covered Alpine peaks
Lech am Arlberg, a popular ski resort in Vorarlberg

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