Umhausen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Umhausen
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Umhausen seen from Niederthal
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Location in the district
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 Umhausen
Location in Austria
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| Country | Austria | |
| State | Tyrol | |
| District | Imst | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 137.42 km2 (53.06 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 1,031 m (3,383 ft) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
6441
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| Area code | 05255 | |
| Vehicle registration | IM | |
| Website | https://www.umhausen.gv.at/ | |
Umhausen is a charming town in the Imst District of Tyrol, a state in western Austria. It is located about 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) southeast of the town of Imst. Umhausen sits along the Ötztaler Ache river in the beautiful Ötztal valley. Around 3,078 people live here, enjoying the stunning mountain views.
Contents
Exploring Umhausen: Its Villages and Mountains
Umhausen is made up of six smaller villages. Each village adds to the unique character of the area.
- Umhausen
- Tumpen
- Köfels
- Farst
- Niederthai
- Östen
Umhausen is nestled between two large mountain ranges. These are the Stubai Alps and the Ötztal Alps. The lowest part of the town is in Tumpen, at 920 meters (3,018 feet) above sea level. The highest point in the area is the Strahlkogel mountain. It stands tall at 3,288 meters (10,787 feet).
The Shining Strahlkogel Mountain
The name "Strahlkogel" means "radiating peak." This is because of its bright, white quartz rocks. These rocks reflect sunlight, making the mountain appear to "radiate" or shine. The Strahlkogel has a distinct shape, like a steep, pointed pyramid. It is quite challenging to climb, so fewer people visit its peak. Its neighbor, the 3,287-meter-high Breiter Grieskogel, is more often climbed.
What Does Umhausen Do? The Local Economy
Long ago, Umhausen was known for growing flax. Flax is a plant used to make linen fabric.
Today, the main way people in Umhausen make a living is through tourism. Many visitors come to see the area's natural beauty. One of the biggest attractions is Tyrol's tallest waterfall, which is 150 meters (492 feet) high! The economy here is also supported by local businesses and craft shops. In 2011, the Vivea Gesundheitshotel Umhausen opened. This health hotel is a big part of the local economy.
The Köfels Landslide: A Giant Event
About 9,800 years ago, a massive landslide happened near Köfels. This event is known as the Köfels landslide. It was a type of landslide called a sturzstrom, which means a very fast and long-distance flow of rock and debris.
During this event, a huge amount of rock and mud, about 3.2 cubic kilometers (0.77 cubic miles), moved. It slid 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) horizontally and dropped 800 meters (2,625 feet) vertically. This makes it one of the largest known sturzstroms in the world! Scientists know when it happened by studying trees that were buried by the landslide.
Famous Connections: Hedwig von Trapp
_mit_der_Ortschaft_Farst.jpg)
You might know the famous singing von Trapp family from The Sound of Music. One of the family members, Hedwig von Trapp, lived and worked in Farst, a village above Umhausen. She moved there in the 1960s. She was a music teacher and came to the area to help with her asthma. The building where she taught is still there today.
See also
In Spanish: Umhausen para niños
