VIENNA, 0-en'tui. The capital of Austria Hungary, situated on the right bank of the Dan ube and intersected by an am of the river called the Danube Canal, into which the small river Wien here empties; latitude 48° 12' N.. longi tude 16° 23' E. (Map: Austria, E 2). it has a temperate climate, the mean annual temperature being 48.8° F. The annual rainfall is 23.42 inches; the altitude, from 501 to 655 feet. The last northeastern outliers of the Alps (Wiener Wald) here reach the Danube plain. Vienna, as enlarged by the incorporation of the suburbs in 1891, is distinguished by an unusually large acreage of forests and meadows within its con fines, the extent of the total area being very much greater than that of Berlin.
DEscan-nox. Vienna is notable for the mag nificent Ringstrasse (q.v.) lined with imposing Renaissance structures and beautiful public parks and squares, and for its general air of gayety. due to its genial. music-loving popula tion. Lr modern architectural development, both in extent and in artistic value, perhaps no city is its equal. The traditional Vienna baroque style, with its open-air embellishments in relief in color, give everywhere a lively and varied aspect. The modern improvements of every kind. especially in fine new streets, are remarkable. This modernization of the city has been con tinuous. since 1858. The old inner city, which still has many Durehhaiiser, or short-cut passages through the courts of houses, is encircled by the Ringstrasse, marking the site of the interior forti fications finally demolished in 1857. The south west section of the inner city is occupied by the Imperial Hofburg, and by the Volksgart en and the Hofgarten, with the extensive square lying be tween. The 'Burg;' or Imperial residence, is a vast, confused, and generally somewhat uninter esting edifice, which has been the official home of the Hapsburgs since they originally obtained possession of the city. In the spacious inner court, the Franzensplatz, stands an elaborate monument to Francis II. Through a portal on the east may be entered the Josefsplatz, with the equestrian bronze statue of Joseph 11. Here
rises the splendid imperial library, dating from 1722, crowned by a great frescoed dome, and a long. handsomely embellished gallery, with stat ues. The library contains over 900.000 volumes. There is also an immense and invaluable collec tion of engravings (over 300,000). In the Outer Burgplatz, which separates the Burg from the Bingstrasse, are two fine equestrian statues by Fernkorn, one to z\ rchduke Charles, the other to Prince Eugene of Savoy. Here on the Ringstrasse is the Burgthor, with five passages, formed by Doric columns. Two immense wings by Semper connect this gate with the old palace. The at tractive and popular Volksgartcn dates from 1822 and contains the notable modern Grillparzer monument (1SS9), of elaborate design.
Passing from the Hofgarten northward farther into the former inner city, the Augustiner Kirehe is noted, in the vicinity of various Government palaces and offices. It is a medieval Gothic building and contains Canova's famous monument to the Archduchess Alaria Christina. Near by, on the Augustine]. Bastei. one of the few remnants of the old bastions, stands the palace of the Arch duke Friedrich (formerly the property of the Archduke Albert), containing the Albertina Li brary with its famous collections of drawings and engravings. Of the latter there are more than 202000, The Imperial Opera, in the style of the Renais sance, situated on the Opern-Ring, is one of the superb modern art temples of Europe. it was completed in ]S09. The luxurious interior is adorned with frescoes, statues, busts, etc., of great excellence. The vicinity is the fashionable centre of the capital, and hence the spacious Karntnerstrasse, now (1903) being widened, one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city, leads northeast past the Markt, to the cathe dral. The spacious Never Markt contains a rine fountain, by Raphael Donner. In the Capuchin Church here is the Imperial vault. In this see tion palaces and governmental establishments abound.