Here are informations (history, geography, statistics, people, links,...)
about USA, Arizona, Phoenix and Austria, Upper Austria, Schärding/Inn
provided by gbintheworld.
USA the new homeland
AUSTRIA the old homeland
USA
HISTORY
Background:
Britain's American colonies broke with the mother country
in 1776 (4th of July, Independence Day) and were recognized as the new nation
of the United States of America following the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
With the installment of the Constitution (17th of September 1787,
effective 4th of March 1789) it became a modern democracy.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, 37 new states were added to the
original 13 as the nation expanded across the North American continent
and acquired a number of overseas possessions.
You can find more about the history of the USA (all with links) at:
US History in german, at www.usembassy.de D
a nation - a history in german, at www.a-nation-a-history.de D
History America at www.niester.de D+E
USA History and Museums at www.usahistory.com E
USA History at www.officialusa.com E
The History Page at www.cloudnet.com E
The History Net at www.about.com E
Flag: thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating
with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner
bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset
horizontal rows of six stars (top and bottom) alternating with rows of
five stars. The 50 stars represent the 50 states, the 13 stripes represent
the 13 original colonies.
The United States Flag is the third oldest of the National Standards of the world;
older than the Union Jack of Britain or the Tricolor of France. The flag was
first authorized by Congress June 14, 1777. This date is now observed as
Flag Day throughout America. The flag was first flown from
Fort Stanwix, on the site of the present city of Rome, New York, on August 3, 1777.
It was first under fire for three days later in the Battle of Oriskany,
August 6, 1777.
The name "Old Glory" was given to our National Flag August 10, 1831, by
Captain William Driver of the brig Charles Doggett.
GEOGRAPHY
Surface:
Total: 3,719,018 square miles (= 9,629,091 km²)
Land: 3,537,441 square miles (= 9,158.960 km²)
Water: 181,577 square miles (= 470,131 km²)
That equals about 2.5 times the size of Western Europe or about 115 times the
size of Austria.
Highest Elevation: Mount McKinley (Alaska), 20,320 feet above sea level
Capital: Washington, DC
The USA is devided in 50 states and a district (District of Columbia); and there
are numerous islands which are considered as dependent areas.
PEOPLE
Population: 281,421,906 (source: US Census Bureau, 04-01-2000)
ECONOMY
Population below poverty line: 12,7% (1999 est.)
Inflation rate: 3,4% (2000)
Unemployment rate: 4% (2000)
INTERESTING WEBSITES:
FirstGov your first click to the US Government
E
US Census Bureau official resource for social, demographic, and economic statistics
E
You can find more links about the USA on my page more Links.
WEBCAMS:
You can find a selective list of webcams in the USA on my page
Webcam Links.
ARIZONA
HISTORY
Arizona became the 48th state of the USA on February 14th, 1912.
The statehood bill was ready to be signed on February 12th, but this was a
holiday (Lincoln's birthday) and the 13th was known as an unlucky number.
So president Taft waited till February 14th to sign the statehood bill.
You can find more about the history of Arizona at:
Arizona Blue Book / History official website about the history of Arizona E
Arizona History at www.arizona-travel.de D
Origin of state's name: Spanish interpretation of "arizuma",
an Aztec Indian word meaning "silver-bearing." Also based on Pima Indian word
"arizonac" for "little spring place".
Flag: "The flag of the State of Arizona shall be as follows:
The lower half of the flag shall be a blue field; the upper half shall be
divided into thirteen equal segments, or rays, which shall start at the
center on the lower line and continue to the edges of the flag, colored
alternately light yellow and red, consisting of six yellow and seven red rays;
in the center of the flag, superimposed, a copper colored five-point star so
placed that the points shall be one foot from the top of the flag and the
lower points one foot from the bottom of the flag. The red and blue shall be
of the same shades as the colors in the flag of the United States; the flag
to have a four-foot hoist and a six-foot fly, with a two-foot star, the same
proportions to be observed for flags of other sizes. The flag represents the
copper star of Arizona rising from a blue field in the face of a setting sun."
- Chapter 7, Session Laws of Arizona, 1917 (the flag was designed by Colonel
Charles W. Harris).
GEOGRAPHY
Surface, total: 113,635 square miles (= 294.315 km²), 6th state
Topography: Colorado plateau (containing the Grand Canyon), Mexican Highlands
and Sonoran Desert
Lowest Elevation: Colorado River, 70 feet above sea level, south of Yuma
Highest Elevation: Humphreys Peak, 12,633 feet above sea level
Highest Temperature Recorded: 127°F
Lowest Temperature Recorded: -40°F at Hawley Lake, January 7, 1971
Capital: Phoenix
Arizona is devided by 15 counties.
Official state symbols:
Flower: Saguaro Cactus blossom, bird: Cactus Wren, tree: Palo Verde,
fish: Apache Trout, amphiby: Arizona Treefrog, neckwear: Bola Tie,
gem: Turquoise, Motto: 'Didat Deus' or 'God enriches',
song: 'Arizona March', words by Margaret Rowe Clifford and music by
Maurice Blumenthal
Come to this land of sunshine
To this land where life is young.
Where the wide, wide world is waiting,
The songs that will now be sung.
Where the golden sun is flaming
Into warm, white, shining day,
And the sons of men are blazing
Their priceless right of way.
Come stand beside the rivers
Within our valleys broad.
Stand here with heads uncovered,
In the presence of our God!
While all around, about us
The brave, unconquered band,
As guardians and landmarks
The giant mountains stand.
Not alone for gold and silver
Is Arizona great.
But with graves of heroes sleeping,
All the land is consecrate!
O, come and live beside us
However far ye roam
Come and help us build up temples
And name those temples "home".
PEOPLE
Population: 5,130,632 (source: US Census Bureau, 04-01-2000)
Change since 1990: + 40%:
More interesting facts:
- The economy of Arizona was based on "the five C's" : copper,
cotton, cattle, climate und citrus.
A new version would be:
computer chips, cowboy art, car lots, condos and Colangelo (co-owner of
the Arizona Diamandbacks and the Phoenix Suns).
- The small town Bisbee - close to the Mexican border - was at the peak
of the Copper Queen mine in the 18th century the biggest community (population 20,000) between
St. Louis and San Francisco.
- Famous Arizonans: Steven Spielberg (movie director, grew up in Phoenix),
Frank Lloyd Wright (architect, lived in Phoenix), Barbara
Kingsolver (writer), Erma Bombeck (writer), Alice Cooper (musician &
restaurant owner, lives in Phoenix), Linda Ronstadt (musician, Tucson),
Stivie Nicks (musician), Geronimo und Cochise (Indian warrier chefs).
INTERESTING WEBSITES:
Arizona @ Your service the official web site of the state of Arizona
E
Arizona Tourism the official site
E
Arizona State Parks the official site
E
You can find more links about Arizona on my page
more Links.
WEBCAMS:
You can find an extensive list of webcams in Arizona on my page
Webcam Links.
PHOENIX
HISTORY
The Pueblo Grande ruins, which were occupied between 700 A.D. and 1400 A.D.
by a well established, civilized community,
testify to Phoenix ancient roots.
Phoenix's modern history begins in the second half of the 19th century.
In 1867, Jack Swilling of Wickenburg had a vision about the expansive
Salt River Valley. He saw farm land, all it needed was water. So he
organized the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company which began digging
a canal to divert some of the water of the Salt River onto the lands of
the Valley. By March 1868, water flowed through the canal.
On Feb. 25, 1881 "The Phoenix Charter Bill" (signed by Governor John C. Fremont)
made Phoenix an incorporated city.
By the turn of the century, the population of Phoenix had reached 5,554 -
by 1930 48,118 and by 1950 a population of 106,000 that placed it 99th
among American cities.
(Source: History of Phoenix, "Out Of The Ashes", www.ci.phoenix.az.us)
For an extensive info about the history of Phoenix go to:
Phoenix History "Out Of The Ashes"
on the official website of Phoenix, www.ci.phoenix.az.us E
Phoenix Symbol: "In the center a bird rising, and surrounding this
the inscription Phoenix, Arizona - Incorporated February 25, 1881."
The phoenix bird symbolizes immortality, resurrection and life after death.
In ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology, it is associated with the sun god.
The newest design was established 1990.
(source:
City of Phoenix, the official website at www.ci.phoenix.az.us)
GEOGRAPHY
Elevation: 1,135 ft. (= 346 metres) at Sky Harbour Airport, downtown Phoenix
PEOPLE
Population Phoenix City: 1,321,045 (US Census Bureau, 04-01-2000)
Population Valley of the Sun: about 2,500,000 (incl.
Tempe, Mesa, Glendale,...)
WEATHER FORCAST
AUSTRIAN CULTURE IN PHOENIX/ARIZONA
Austrian Society in Arizona is an organization of Austrian-Americans,
descendants of Austrians and friends of Austria, who enjoy sharing the traditions,
culture and history of Austria with other interested persons and people of
Arizona. D
GERMAN SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN
Bavarian Point (Restaurant), 4815 E. Main, Mesa, Tel (480) 830-0999
European Bistro, 951 W. Main Str., Mesa, Tel (480) 833-0070
Felsen Haus (Restaurant), 1008 E. Camelback, Phoenix, Tel (602) 788-8888
German Corner (Restaurant), 4900 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, Tel (602) 840-7838
German Sausage Co (Metzger), 4900 E. Indian School Rd., Phoenix, Tel (602) 840-6032
Haus Murphy's (Restaurant), 5819 West Glendale Avenue, Glendale, Tel (623) 939-2480
Old Heidelberg (Bäckerei), 2210 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, Tel (602) 224-9877
Rheinland (German Deli), 717 W. Union Hills, Phoenix, Tel (602) 789-8904
INTERESTING WEBSITES:
City of Phoenix the official web site of the city of Phoenix
E
Downtown Phoenix info-site of the downtown marketing group
E
Coppersquare Downtown website of the 'Downtown Phoenix Partnership'
E
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport official guide
E
You can find more links about Phoenix on my page
more Links.
WEBCAMS:
You can find an extensive list of webcams in Arizona on my page
Webcam Links.
AUSTRIA
HISTORY
Read an extensive english version about the history
on the official website of the Republic of Austria E
(www.austria.gv.at/e/), click there on 'Austria' to get to the history.
Flag: The colours of the Republic of Austria are red-white-red.
The flag consists of three identically broad horizontal stripes of
which the intermediate is white, the upper and the lower are red.
(Source: Art. 8a (1) of the Federal Constitutional Law)
Federal coat of arms: The coat of arms of the Republic of Austria
(the Federal coat of arms) consists of an unfettered, single-headed, black,
gilt-armed and red-tongued eagle on whose breast is imposed a red shield
intersected by a silver crosspiece. On its head the eagle bears a mural
crown with three visible merlons. A sundered iron chain rings both talons.
The right holds a golden sickle with inward turned blade, the left a
golden hammer.
(Source: Art. 8a (2) of the Federal Constitutional Law)
GEOGRAPHY
Land surface: 83,858.3 square kilometres (= 32,377.75 square miles)
Highest Elevation: Grossglockner (Tyrol, Carinthia), 3798 metres (12,461 ft) above sea level
Capital: Vienna
Austria is a federal state consisting of nine independent federal states:
Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria,
Vienna and Vorarlberg.
National anthem:
To hear an instrumental version of the national anthem go to the website of the
Austrian Press und Information Service
and click on 'Listen to the Anthem'. 
Music: a melody from Mozart's masonic cantata, Words: Paula von Preradovic (1887-1951)
Here follows a prose translation of the text:
Land of mountains, land on the river,
Land of fields, land of cathedrals,
Land of hammers, rich in outlook.
You are the native home of great sons,
A people uniquely gifted for the beautiful,
Much-applauded Austria.
Fiercely embattled, ferociously contested,
You lie at the centre of the globe,
Like a strong heart.
Since the days of your early ancestors
You have borne the burden of a sublime calling,
Much-tried Austria.
Courageously we stride
Into the new times, free and devout,
Industrious and of firm heart.
In unison choruses of brotherhood
We pledge our allegiance to thee, Fatherland,
Much-loved Austria.
(Source: official website of the
Republic of Austria)
PEOPLE
Population: 8,032.557 (census 2001, source: Statistik Austria),
+ 3% compared to 1991 (7,795.786)
Expectation of life: men: 75,4 years, women: 81,2 years (average)
Some famous Austrians:
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (composer)
- Franz Schubert (composer)
- Sigmund Freud (psychologist and psychiatrist)
- Helmut Madersbacher (inventor)
- Peter Mitterhofer (inventor of the typewriter)
- Josef Ressel (inventor of the ship-propeller)
- Viktor Franz Hess (physicist, Nobel price for discovery and exploration of cosmic radiation)
- Victor Kaplan (inventor of the turbine)
- Johann Kravogl (inventor, electro-motor)
- Dr.Heinz Zemanek (electrical engineer, computer pioneer "Mailüfterl")
ECONOMY
Inflation rate: 2.7% (2001)
Unemployment rate: 4% (2000)
INTERESTING WEBSITES:
Republic of Austria the official site of the Government of Austria
D+E
Austrian Parliament the official site
D+E
Austrian Federal President the official site
D+E
CIA World Factbook 2001 great info-site, go to Austria
E
Austrian Map online Austrian maps online, great searchfunction
D
You can find more links about Austria on my page
more Links.
WEBCAMS:
You can find an extensive list of webcams in Austria on my page
Webcam Links.
UPPER AUSTRIA
HISTORY
Read an extensive german version about the history on the official website of
Upper Austria.
Go to History D (there click on
'Geschichte') of Upper Austria (www.ooe.gv.at).
Flag: The colours of Upper Austria are white and red. The flag consists
of two identically broad horizontal stripes of which the upper is white,
the lower is red.
GEOGRAPHY
Land surface: 11,980 square kilometres (about 4,640 square miles)
Highest Elevation: Hoher Dachstein, 9,826 ft (2.995 m) above sea level
Capital: Linz / Danube
Upper Austria is devided in 18 counties.
Official anthem:
The anthem of Upper Austria is the song "Hoamatgsong" (= song of the homeland),
words by Franz Stelzhamer, music by Hans Schnopfhagen
Hoamatland, Hoamatland, die han i so gern
wiar a Kinderl sein Muader, a Hünderl sein Herrn.
Duri s'Tal bin i glafn, afn Hügl bin i glegn
Und dei Sunn hat mi trickert, wann mi gnetzt hat dein Regn.
Dein Hitz is net zgrimmi, net zgroaß is dein Frost,
Ünser Traubn hoaßt Hopfn, ünsern Wein nennt ma Most.
Und zun Bier und zun Most schmeckt a kräftige Kost
Und die wachst alle Jahr, mit der Noat hat's koan Gfahr.
Deine Bam, deine Staudna san groß worn mit mir,
Und sie blieahn schen und tragn und sagn: Machts a wia mir.
Am schönern macht's Bacherl, Laft allweil tala,
Aber's Herz, von wo's aua rinnt, 's Herz, des laßts da.
Und i und die Bachquelln san Vetter und Moahm,
Treibts mir, wo da wöll, umma, mein Herz is dahoam.
Dahoam is dahoam, wannst net fort muaßt, so bleib,
Denn die Hoamat is ehnter der zweit Muaderleib.
PEOPLE
Population: 1,376.428 (census 2001, source: Statistik Austria),
+ 3,2% compared to 1991 (1,333.480),
male: 49%, female: 51%.
ECONOMY
Unemployment rate: 4% (2000)
INTERESTING WEBSITES:
Land Oberösterreich (= Upper Austria) the official website
D+E
DORIS digital info system of Upper Austria, maps, downloads, search,...
D
You can find more links about Upper Austria on my page
more Links.
WEBCAMS:
You can find an extensive list of webcams in Upper Austria on my page
Webcam Links.
SCHÄRDING
& ST.MARIENKIRCHEN near SCHDG.
HISTORY OF SCHÄRDING
The town was mentioned for the first time as "Scardinga" in a document (804 A.D.).
Since the 10th century the powerful counts of Vormbach-Neuburg
formed it to the midpoint of their count shafts, collecting tolls and
customs fees. In 1160 the counts of Andechs followed them and 1248 the domination
of the Bavarian Wittelsbacher began. They brought Schärding into the
lively Inn-trade, especially with salt, ores, wine, silk, glass, wood, grain,
cloth ware and cattle. At that time the development of the two pretty
city places, the "Upper" and the "Lower", took place.
The economic importance stepped early to the political, especially as the
Habsburger tried to expand their power to the river Inn at the end of the 13th century.
In the progress of the emerging battles - which did not stop before the
'Innviertel' (area around the river Inn) became Austrian again (1779)
and also after the battles against the French (1816) - the Bavarian dukes
rebuilt Schärding to a strong fort. This as well as the importance as
trading-town brought large disadvantages to Schärding. Almost in each century
the war stormed over the city in all violence for several times.
In addition there were fires and many heavy floods.
Schärding was involved in the war of the Landshut succession (around 1500),
the war of the Spanish succession (1701-1714) and the
war of the Austrian succession (1741-1748), after those the troops of Napoleon
burned down the castle and the city (1809). Even in the world war II
Schärding did not remain spared of destructions.
When Schärding became again Austrian after the Congress of Vienna in 1816,
it got into an economically corner and at a strong customs boundary:
the old trade relations were cut, the Inn not existing anymore as a trading path,
since entirely new traffic connections were formed through the industrialization
and the railroads.
After 1945 the tourism raised through the further extension of Schärding
as a Kneipp-spa with important gastronomy.
(source:
Kneipp- und Gesundheitszentrum Barmherzige Brüder Schärding am Inn,
www.barmherzige-brueder.at/bbschaerd/index2.htm D)
Coat of arms of the City of Schärding
Coat of arms of the Village of St.Marienkirchen
PEOPLE
Population Schärding: 5,052 (census 1991, source: Statistik Austria),
- 7,2% compared to 1991 (5,446)
Population St.Marienkirchen/Schdg: 1,836 (census 1991, source: Statistik Austria),
+ 0,9% compared to 1991 (1,820)
WEATHER FORCAST
INTERESTING WEBSITES:
Schärding the official website of the town
D
Schärding Guide - 'Willkommen in Schärding', www.tiscover.at
D
Stadtarchiv Schärding great infos about the history of the town
D
Stadtpfarre St.Georg homepage of the church St.Georg in Schärding/Inn
D
St.Marienkirchen near Schärding the official website
D+E
Innviertel info-page about the region
D
Regionalmanagement Innviertel-Hausruck Euro-region-info-page
D
Economic Chamber Schärding the official website
D+E
Hospital Schärding the official website
D
Kulturverein-Schaerding culture association
D
WindProject Of Schärding music(ian)-project
D
Stadtkapelle Schärding the official website
D
Schiklub St.Marienkirchen online
D
TSV St.Marienkirchen sports club
D
Musikkapelle St.Marienkirchen online
D
CFFC Computer-Film and Photo-Club St.Marienkirchen
D
Bundesgymnasium Schärding online
D
HAK Schärding online
D
Musikhauptschule Schärding online
D
Technologie- und Gründerzentrums TGZ Schärding online
D
Volksbank Schärding
D
Raiffeisenbank Region Schärding
D
Kapsreiter Brauerei brewery
D
Baumgartner Brauerei brewery
D
Werbung am Inn online
D
Frauscher Sensortechnik online
D+E
Wintersteiger Haustechnik online
D
Schärdinger.net info
D
Stadtbeisl inn
D
Bauntikeller bar
D
Zur Bumsn inn
D
IO Espresso coffee house
D
WEBCAM:
Webcam Schärding of the Raiffeisenbank towards the baroque Silberzeile of the mainsquare.
You can find an extensive list of webcams in Upper Austria on my page
Webcam Links.
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