Salzburg (state) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Salzburg
State
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Austria
Capital	Salzburg
Area
• Total	7,156.03 km2 (2,762.96 sq mi)
Population
• Total	531,800
• Density	74.315/km2 (192.475/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
ISO 3166 code	AT-5
HDI (2017)	0.928 very high · 2nd
NUTS Region	AT3
Votes in Bundesrat	4 (of 62)
Website	www.salzburg.gv.at

Salzburg is a beautiful state in Austria. It's officially called Land Salzburg, but many people also call it Salzburgerland. This helps tell it apart from its capital city, also named Salzburg. It's special because it's the only state named after its main city! For hundreds of years, Salzburg was ruled by a Prince-Bishop. This was like a religious leader and a ruler all in one. This long history makes Salzburg's traditions different from other parts of Austria.

Exploring Salzburg's Geography

Typical Salzburg Alpine landscape near Sankt Koloman

Salzburg state stretches along its main river, the Salzach. This river flows from the Central Eastern Alps in the south, where the mountain Großvenediger reaches 3,657 meters (11,998 feet) high. It then goes down into the Alpine foothills in the north. The state covers an area of about 7,156 square kilometers (2,763 square miles).

Where is Salzburg Located?

Salzburg is in the north of Austria. It is very close to the border with the German state of Bavaria. Other Austrian states surround it. These include Upper Austria to the northeast and Styria to the east. To the south, you'll find Carinthia. To the southwest are Tyrol, South Tyrol (in Italy), and East Tyrol. With about 529,085 people, Salzburg is one of Austria's smaller states by population.

Mountains and Landscapes

In the south of Salzburg, you'll find the main ranges of the Alpine mountains. These include the Hohe Tauern mountains, which have many peaks over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) high. The Dachstein mountains and the Berchtesgaden Alps are part of the Northern Limestone Alps. They form the borders of Salzburg Land to the east and north.

Salzburg's Five Main Regions

The state is divided into five main areas. These are called Gaue and match its political districts, known as Bezirk.

Salzburg regions

• Northern Part:
  • Flachgau: This area includes Salzburg city and its surroundings. Flach means flat in German, and this area is a flat basin where the Salzach and Saalach rivers meet. It stretches from the Salzkammergut Mountains to the Untersberg mountains.
  • Tennengau: This district is named after the Tennen Mountains. It includes the wide Salzach Valley south of Salzburg and the nearby Limestone Alps.
• Southern Mountainous Part: (often called Innergebirg)
  • Pinzgau: Located in the southwest, with its main town Zell am See.
  • Pongau: This area is along the Salzach and Enns rivers, with its main town Sankt Johann im Pongau.
  • Lungau: Found in the southeast, with its main town Tamsweg. It is separated by the Niedere Tauern mountain range.

Major Cities and Towns

Here are some of the biggest cities and towns in Salzburg state:

Wals-Siezenheim is a large community with about 12,000 people. It is known as 'Austria's largest village'.

A Look at Salzburg's History

Salt has always been very important to this region. In fact, the name Salzburg means "salt castle"!

Salzburg as an Independent State

Salzburg became independent from Bavaria in the late 1300s. For a long time, the Archbishopric of Salzburg was an independent state within the Holy Roman Empire. It was ruled by a Prince-Bishop. This independence lasted until 1803.

Changes in Rule

In 1803, Salzburg became the Electorate of Salzburg. It was given to Ferdinand III, who was the former Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was also the brother of Emperor Francis II.

The End of Independence

After Austria lost the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, Salzburg became part of Austria. This was to make up for Austria losing Tyrol to the Kingdom of Bavaria. Ferdinand was then moved to rule the Grand Duchy of Würzburg.

Part of Bavaria

Austria lost another war in 1809. Because of this, Salzburg was given to Bavaria in 1810.

Divided Between Two Countries

In 1816, after Napoleon was defeated, Salzburg was returned to Austria. However, a small part in the northwest, called Rupertiwinkel, stayed with Bavaria. The rest of Salzburg was managed as a department of Upper Austria. In 1849, the Duchy of Salzburg was created. It was a special region of the Austrian Empire and later Austria-Hungary.

World War I and Beyond

Salzburg was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire during World War I. About 49,000 people from Salzburg joined the army, and 6,000 of them sadly died.

After World War I

In 1918, after World War I, the Duchy of Salzburg ended. It became the State of Salzburg. This state was first part of German Austria and then the First Republic of Austria. In November 1918, 99% of people in Salzburg voted to join Germany.

Salzburg in Germany

After a vote in 1938, Salzburg state and all of Austria became part of Nazi Germany.

Under American Control

After Nazi Germany was defeated in 1945, the Allies occupied Austria. Salzburg was controlled by the United States.

Salzburg as an Austrian State Again

In 1955, Austria became independent from the Allies once more. Salzburg was again one of the federal states of the new Republic of Austria.

Other pages

• Salzburg

Images for kids

• 

  Stadion Wals-Siezenheim.

See also

In Spanish: Salzburgo (estado) para niños