Location
Map of Austria
Absolute: 48°12'32''N, 16°22'21''E
Relative: Vienna is in northeastern Austria. It is also the capital of Austria, which is in Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia.
Advantages:
Relative: Vienna is in northeastern Austria. It is also the capital of Austria, which is in Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia.
Advantages:
- Vienna is located in Central Europe, which allowed it to be a crossroads and accessible to many different European cultures, which made Vienna a major center for cultural aspects, such as music.
- Vienna is located on the Danube, which is part of the Vienna Basin. The Vienna Basin was a significant point of ancient trade and military routes.
- Vienna is located between the easternmost section of the Alps in the Vienna Basin and the Carpathians. The mountains, "The Hills of Vienna," provide great scenery for tourists. Skiing is also extremely important to Austria's tourist industry.
- Again, Vienna is located in Central Europe, which allowed it to be easily attacked. For example, the Siege of Vienna (1529) and the Battle of Vienna (1683).
- Two-thirds of Vienna's area is in the foothills of the Alps, so those who are unaccustomed to mountain locations are at a disadvantage.
- The Bohemian Forest, which is located at the north of Vienna is home to harsh weather, so not many people can live in the forest.
Climate
According to the Köppen classification, Vienna lies within both a oceanic climate and humid continental climate. Vienna's climate and location force the city to be prepared for anything. The Alps are a meeting point for Europe's three weather systems, so Vienna's inhabitants need to be ready for anything, from Atlantic maritime climate to continental climate to Mediterranean climate. Vienna's climate encourages the people of Vienna to be relatively conscious of the environment. Vienna is home to inversions, which are cold layers of air that trap warm layers of air. Inversions contribute to the magnitude of the pollution problem. The Austrian government has placed multiple laws about commercial traffic pollution. To add to the pollution issue, Atlantic maritime weather carries pollution into Austria from northwestern Europe. Also, skiing is essential to Vienna's tourist industry, climate is important in the winters. Atlantic maritime weather brings snow, and continental weather preserves it for the skiing season. Climate in Vienna shaped the city's attitude towards the weather, pollution, and skiing.