Kleinwalsertal
Encyclopedia
Kleinwalsertal is a part of Austria, but only accessible from Germany
to the north, and thus is an Austrian "practical exclave" or "pene-exclave". Prior to Austria joining the European Union
, the area had tax-free status.
It is a commune of the state
Vorarlberg
which is the most western state of Austria. It consists of three villages which are situated along the River Breitach: Mittelberg
, Hirschegg, and Riezlern
.
The valley is famous in Central Europe
as a ski and hiking resort. The 5,000 inhabitants, who are called "Walser
", provide 12,000 beds for tourists.
Due to the terrain there is no direct access by car to the other parts of Austria. Therefore the Kleinwalsertal can only be accessed via Oberstdorf
, a nearby village in Germany.
From 1891 Kleinwalsertal enjoyed a customs union
with Germany, a free border, and used the Deutsche Mark. Since Austria joined the European Union
in 1995, followed by the signing of the Schengen Agreement
(1997) and the introduction of the Euro (2002), this special status no longer applies.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
to the north, and thus is an Austrian "practical exclave" or "pene-exclave". Prior to Austria joining the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, the area had tax-free status.
It is a commune of the state
States of Austria
Austria is a federal republic made up of nine states, known in German as Länder . Since Land is also the German word for a country, the term Bundesländer is often used instead to avoid ambiguity. The Constitution of Austria uses both terms...
Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg is the westernmost federal-state of Austria. Although it is the second smallest in terms of area and population , it borders three countries: Germany , Switzerland and Liechtenstein...
which is the most western state of Austria. It consists of three villages which are situated along the River Breitach: Mittelberg
Mittelberg
Mittelberg is a municipality in the district of Bregenz, Vorarlberg, Austria. The municipality of Mittelberg is congruent with the Kleinwalsertal, a valley that is only accessible by road from Germany. Although it is not an exclave in strict sense , its geographic position created a special situation...
, Hirschegg, and Riezlern
Riezlern
Riezlern is a village in Vorarlberg, Austria.In the winter season it is well known as a centre for alpine skiing. A well known hotel in the village is Hotel Erlebach....
.
The valley is famous in Central Europe
Central Europe
Central Europe or alternatively Middle Europe is a region of the European continent lying between the variously defined areas of Eastern and Western Europe...
as a ski and hiking resort. The 5,000 inhabitants, who are called "Walser
Walser
The Walser are German-speaking people who live in the Alps of Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein and Austria. The Walser people are named after the Wallis , the uppermost Rhône River valley...
", provide 12,000 beds for tourists.
Due to the terrain there is no direct access by car to the other parts of Austria. Therefore the Kleinwalsertal can only be accessed via Oberstdorf
Oberstdorf
Oberstdorf is a municipality and skiing and hiking town in southwest Germany, located in the Allgäu region of the Bavarian Alps.At the center of Oberstdorf is a church whose tall spire serves as a landmark for navigating around town. The summits of the Nebelhorn and Fellhorn provide...
, a nearby village in Germany.
From 1891 Kleinwalsertal enjoyed a customs union
Customs union
A customs union is a type of trade bloc which is composed of a free trade area with a common external tariff. The participant countries set up common external trade policy, but in some cases they use different import quotas...
with Germany, a free border, and used the Deutsche Mark. Since Austria joined the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
in 1995, followed by the signing of the Schengen Agreement
Schengen Agreement
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed on 14 June 1985 near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg, between five of the ten member states of the European Economic Community. It was supplemented by the Convention implementing the Schengen Agreement 5 years later...
(1997) and the introduction of the Euro (2002), this special status no longer applies.
Famous mountains
- Hoher IfenHoher IfenThe Hoher Ifen is a 2,230 metre high mountain in the Allgäu Alps, west of the Kleinwalsertal valley. In winter it forms the backdrop for a small ski area. It lies on the border between Germany and Austria...
2,230 m (7,316 ft) - KanzelwandKanzelwandKanzelwand is a mountain on the border between Vorarlberg, Austria and Bavaria, Germany....
2,058 m (6,752 ft) - Walmendingerhorn 1,990 m (6,529 ft)
- FellhornFellhornThe Fellhorn is a mountain in the Allgäu Alps near Oberstdorf, Germany, on the border with Austria. It is known for its fields of Alp roses .It can be climbed on an easy path....
2,038 m (6,686 ft) - Elfer
- Zwölfer (Vorarlberg)
- Widderstein 2,536 m (8,320 ft)
External links
- http://www.kleinwalsertal.de/