Vienna
The capital city of Austria is also the most significant economic and cultural site of the country, being the center of administrative and political authorities as well as the home of the offices of most significant international organization. Vienna is located in the Eastern part of Austria, just between the Vienna basin and the easternmost extension of the Alps and along the majestic flow of the river Danube. The city has a population of about 1.6 million people being thus the 10th largest city in the EU. It has a well-developed economy with headquarters of main Austrian companies centered here and ranks at 3rd position as the quality of living in the EU.Prosperous and seductive, the imposing city on the Danube has preserved mystic layers of history under the veils of its ball dress. Vienna was first a Celtic settlement before becoming an important border city of the Roman Empire under the name of Vindobona. Later on in the Middle Ages it became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and the official seat of the Holy Emperor (historic unification of Central Europe). From these times on Vienna has become a life-spring for culture and art in Europe. It was the birth place or home of the world greatest composers - Beethoven, Mozart, Strauss, etc. Was it the inspiration of the blue Danube or the sweet flavor of Viennese coffee, musical traditions never ceased and made Vienna the European (and world), capital of classical music. The Staatsoper and the Volksoper present today opera and operetta by most talent world artists, and for classical music you will be amazed by the Vienna Phylharmonic Orchestra and the musicians of the Wiener Konzerthaus. The city has today more than 15 theaters - among them the most remarkable are the Burgstheater, the Volkstheater, the Theater in der Josefstadt, 13 universities, a raw of museums and an overwhelming collection of architectural and historic heritage. Among the beautiful buildings in different styles - from classic to baroque and art nouveau, there are the amazing Viennese parks and gardens, such as the Stadtspark with the statue of Johan Strauss, the Botanic Gardens, the Wienerwald or the most exciting entertainment site - the Prater. Vienna is also cherished for it is the last city, which safeguarded the traditions of 19th century ball with about 200 balls a year.