Salzburg, Federal state in western Austria
Salzburg is a federal state in western Austria, stretching between the Central Alps and the Alpine foothills. The landscape consists of mountain peaks, valleys and rivers that divide the territory into several districts.
The territory was an independent prince-bishopric in the Holy Roman Empire until 1803. After dissolution by Napoleon, it changed hands several times before becoming part of Austria in 1816.
The name comes from the Salzach river and the salt mined in the mountains for centuries, which built the region's wealth. Today this heritage appears in the townhouses, markets and customs that people maintain across the valleys and towns.
The valleys and towns are mostly in the lower elevations, while the higher mountain ranges are accessible only through pass roads. Travelers exploring the region find a dense network of hiking and cycling paths that connect the different areas.
In the caves near Werfen, ice forms huge columns and curtains throughout the year, created by seeping meltwater. The cave system extends for dozens of kilometers and is the largest of its kind in the world.
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