No. 10: Austria
Population: 8,205,533
Life Expectancy: 79
GDP Per Capita: $38,400
With a high standard of living, first-rate schools, and some of the best alpine real estate in Europe, this home of musical talents ranging from Mozart to the Von Trapp Family ranks happily at No. 10 in the world. Once the seat of the Hapsburg Empire, which reached as far east as Ukraine and Transylvania and as far south as Bosnia, Austria today supports a heterogeneous mix of people. Thousands of Hungarians and Croats live within its borders, as well as Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Muslims, and Jews, making Austria one of the most pluralistic nations in Western Europe.
Country guide
Though its political and social clout has perhaps waned over the last century, Austria is a country rich in culture and history. Its diverse mix of timeless urban centres and rolling, fairy tale countryside defines it as a classic European country in every sense of the word.
At the country’s urban core is Vienna, once the cultural centre of Europe. The city boasts world class Western music (including classical, opera, and waltz), stunning architecture, and an array of museums showcasing its unique cultural heritage.
The nation’s most popular tourist destination, Salzburg, is the birthplace of Mozart and boasts a distinct culture steeped in music, art and literature.
Reminiscent of the glorious Hapsburg Empire, Austria’s rural countryside farming communities offer stunning scenery. From the snow-covered Alps, to the meandering Danube River in the north, to the massive Eisriesenwelt ice caves in Werfen, the country’s natural beauty is truly breathtaking.
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