The population of Austria is just over eight million, one thousand. The majority of the population is Roman Catholic with a minority of Protestants and Muslims. FOOD Austria shares much of the cuisine of surrounding countries which were once part of the Austrian Habsburg Empire. Recipes include those for Wiener Schnitzel, dumplings, boiled beef and cured ham. Desserts and pastries are popular.
Favourites are apfelstrudel and chocolate cake.
Austrians drink coffee, beer, wine, cherry liqueur and schnapps. The Danube area has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In 10 AD it became part of the Roman Empire and remained in the hands of the Romans for around five hundred years. Various peoples settled in Austria. Two families, the Babenbergs and the Habsburgs were major influences in the country's history.