Geography Of Lienz
Lienz is a town in East Tyrol located at the confluence of the Drau, Puster and Isel rivers. It includes a significant part of the Lienz basin and covers 15.94 km2. While the highest point of the municipality is in the Hochsteinhütte district at 2023 meters, the city center of Lienz is located at 673 meters above sea level.
Two cadastral communities make up Lienz: Lienz and Patriasdorf. Patriasdorf covers a hamlet in the northwest as well as the Schlossberg and the Hochsteinbahn in the southwest of the municipality. The majority of the population lives in the rest of the municipality, which falls under the cadastral municipality of Lienz: although Patriasdorf was attached to Lienz in 1939, the division into two cadastral communities persisted.
In addition to the division into cadastral communities, Lienz is divided into several districts. These include the Peace Colony, the Eichholz Colony and the Parish Colony to the south; the Rindermarkt and Grafenanger to the north of the old town. Towards the East, Peggetz is essentially commercial and industrial.
Lienz borders several surrounding towns. Nußdorf-Debant is to the east; Oberlienz, Thurn and Gaimberg are to the north. The southern border of Lienz includes Assling, Leisach, Amlach and Tristach.
The location and the boundaries of Lienz
Lienz is located in the west of Austria, in the eastern part of the state of Tyrol. Comprising all of East Tyrol, the capital and largest city of the Lienz district is separated from the rest of Tyrol by a 9.5 kilometer wide strip of territory belonging to the Land of Salzburg, East Tyrol is both historic and geographically distinct. Also surrounding East Tyrol are the state of Carinthia to the east, Italy to the south, and South Tyrol, an autonomous province of Italy, to the west. Lienz has an area of 15.9 square kilometers and is located at an altitude of 675 meters. The coordinates of the city are 46°49′50′N 12°45′50′E.
The Isel and Drava rivers, which meet in the city center, define the boundaries of Lienz; plus, the mountains all around the city define it. Originating from the glaciers of the Venediger group in the Hohe Tauern mountain range, the Isel river flows through the Virgen valley and then joins the Drava river in Lienz. Rising from the Toblach field in South Tyrol, the River Drava flows through the Pusteria and Drau valleys before flowing into the River Isel in Lienz. The second longest river in Europe, the Danube is fed by the Isel and Drava rivers. The surrounding mountains of Lienz fall into the Dolomites and Hohe Tauern mountain ranges, both of which are part of the Alps. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites are renowned for their unique shape and color. With their Grossglockner, Austria’s highest peak at 3,798 meters, the Hohe Tauern constitutes the highest mountain range in the country.
The geography and boundaries of Lienz have shaped the history, culture and character of the city as well as its interactions with countries and its neighbors. Since Antiquity, Lienz has been a strategic and commercial crossroads since it is located on the major commercial axis between Venzone in Friuli and Salzburg as well as between Innsbruck and Klagenfurt. Lienz belongs to the southern Bavarian dialect group, so it is influenced by Romance languages but also serves as a cultural and linguistic link between the German-speaking and Italian-speaking regions. Since the Middle Ages, Lienz has also been a political and administrative center since it was the seat of the Counts of Gorizia, who governed a vast area of northern Italy and southern Austria, then of the Habsburgs, who included Lienz in the county. from Tyrol. Lienz has also been a cause of conflict and debate since French troops occupied it during the Napoleonic Wars, Italian troops during World War I, and since the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1919 separated Link to the rest of Tyrol. , thus assigning the southern part of Tyrol, including Lienz, to Italy. After World War II, Lienz returned to Austria and joined the new state of East Tyrol. Lienz is also a partner and collaborator as it has developed close ties and cooperation with surrounding nations and provinces, notably with South Tyrol, an autonomous province of Italy, and with Carinthia, another state of Austria. Lienz is also a member of the European Union and the Alpine Convention, an international treaty aimed at the sustainable development and protection of the Alps.
The topography and the geology of Lienz
Lienz lies at the junction of two major mountain ranges, the Dolomites and the Hohe Tauern, which have different origins and characteristics, resulting in a varied and complex topography and geology. Made up primarily of dolomite, a type of carbonate rock produced by the precipitation of calcium and magnesium ions from seawater, the Dolomites are a group of mountains. The Dolomites are the remains of an ancient coral reef that glaciation and tectonics uplifted and eroded. The unique shape and color of the Dolomites are well known; their steep, jagged peaks turn them from pink to purple to red depending on the sunlight. The Dolomites are also abundant in fossils and minerals, including ammonites, corals and quartz. Comprising the southern limestone Alps, from the Brenner Pass to the Julian Alps, the Dolomites
Composed mainly of gneiss, a type of metamorphic rock produced by the transformation of granite under high pressure and temperature, the Hohe Tauern are a group of mountains. The collision and subduction of the African and Eurasian plates produced a belt of folds and thrusts that was then uplifted and eroded by tectonic forces and glaciation. With their Grossglockner, the highest mountain in Austria rising to 3,798 meters, the Hohe Tauern constitutes the highest mountain range in the country. Rich in glaciers and waterfalls, the Pasterze glacier, the longest glacier in Austria, and the Krimml waterfalls, the highest waterfalls in Europe, the Hohe Tauern Comprising the eastern central Alps, the Hohe Tauern extend from the pass from Brenner to Vienna. Woods.
Lienz’s topography and geology have shaped the city’s natural resources, climate and landscape as well as its hazards, including floods, landslides and earthquakes. The flat, rich valley floor, where the town and agricultural fields are located, contrasts with the steep, rocky slopes of the mountains, where the forests and mountain pastures of Lienz are located. Mediterranean and Alpine influences shape Lienz’s climate; they produce sunny, mild weather with hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. Lienz’s natural resources include water, wood, minerals and energy, used among other things for drinking, irrigation, construction, industry and tourism. Hazards and risks in Lienz include flooding, landslides and earthquakes caused by heavy rain, melting snow, ground instability and seismic activity, thereby compromising infrastructure, property and the lifestyle of the population. Lienz has therefore implemented policies to avoid and mitigate these hazards and risks: dams, dikes, retention basins; monitoring and warning systems; emergency plans.
The hydrography and the hydrology of Lienz
Lienz is surrounded by several lakes, streams and springs and lies at the junction of two main rivers, the Isel and the Drava, thus having a rich and varied hydrography and hydrology. Because they provide drinking water, for irrigation, industry and tourism and because they shape the city’s landscape, ecology and recreation, the Isel and Drava rivers are the main sources of water. water and features of Lienz. Comprising ten countries and 81 million people, the Danube basin also includes the Isel and Drava rivers, the second largest river basin in Europe.
With a length of 64 kilometers and a catchment area of 1,020 square kilometers, the Isel River is the largest and most important tributary of the Drava River. Originating from the glaciers of the Venediger group in the Hohe Tauern mountain range, the Isel river flows through the Virgen valley and then joins the Drava river in Lienz. A typical Alpine river, the Isel flows quickly, has a strong gradient and exhibits great variability. With high turbidity, low temperature and high oxygen content, the Isel River is also a glacial river. As one of the last free-flowing rivers in the Alps, the Isel River is also a natural river of great ecological value. Its rich and varied flora and fauna include grayling, trout, otters and kingfishers.
Covering 749 kilometers and a drainage area of 40,419 square kilometers, the Drava River is the fourth tributary of the Danube in terms of size and importance. Starting from the Toblach field in South Tyrol, the Drava River flows through the Pusteria valley and the Drau valley before flowing into the Danube in Osijek, Croatia. The Drava River flows through five countries: Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Hungary and Croatia, thus acting as a transboundary river. Because numerous dams, hydroelectric plants and flood control systems have changed the flow, shape and ecology of the Drava River, it is also a regulated river. A historical and commercial route as well as a source of inspiration for writers and artists, the Drava River is also a cultural river.
The water sources and secondary features of Lienz are lakes, streams and springs, as they accentuate the city’s landscape, ecology and recreation and complement the rivers, thus providing additional water for different uses. Lienz has a few lakes, streams and springs, including:
- Tristacher Lake: About eight kilometers from the city, Lake Tristacher is a natural lake located at the foot of the Lienz Dolomites. Taken from the Spitzkofel, the Tristacher stream feeds the 7.1 hectare lake with a depth of 15 meters. In summer, the lake is a popular place for swimming, boating, and fishing; in winter, ice skating is another activity.
- Gaimberger Lake: About 4 kilometers from the town, on the Gaimberg hill, there is an artificial lake called Gaimberger Lake. Rising from the Zettersfeld ski area, the Gaimberger stream feeds the 2.5 hectare lake with a depth of 6 meters. In addition to a recreational area and biotope, the lake serves for fire protection and irrigation.
- Peggetz Spring: About two kilometers from the city, near the Peggetz district, the Peggetz spring is a karst spring. Fed by the Lienz Dolomites, the source has a flow rate of three hundred liters per second. In addition to providing a pond and park, the spring is used for industrial and drinking purposes.
- Aguntum Spring: About four kilometers from town, Aguntum Spring is a hot spring near the Aguntum archaeological site. Fed by groundwater from the Hohe Tauern, the spring has a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius. The spring supplies the Aguntum thermal baths and the museum as well as health and well-being.
The flora and the fauna of Lienz
Lienz is located in a transition zone between the Mediterranean and Alpine biogeographic zones, its rich and varied flora and fauna thus reflect the rivers, lakes, forests and mountain pastures. Lienz’s flora and fauna reflect the variety and richness of the city’s life as well as its conservation and protection efforts – those of the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Natura 2000 network.
From normal alpine plants, such as edelweiss, gentian and alpine rose, to typical Mediterranean plants, such as olive, fig and cypress, Lienz has around 2,000 plant species. Found only in the Lienz Dolomites, some endemic and rare species, including the Lienz watercress, the Lienz orchid and the Lienz lily, abound in the Lienz vegetation. Growing in the city’s gardens and orchards, the flora of Lienz also includes some cultivated and decorative plants including the apple tree, the pear tree and the rose.
From large, charismatic mammals, such as chamois, ibex and marmot, to small, colorful insects, such as butterflies, dragonflies and beetles, Lienz is home to around 10,000 species of animals. Found only in the Lienz Dolomites, some endemic and rare species, including the Lienz salamander, the Lienz trout and the Lienz eagle, are part of the Lienz fauna. In addition to some domestic and introduced animals kept on farms and residences in the town, Lienz has wildlife including cows, sheep and cats.
The human geography of Lienz
Lienz describes the city’s population, habitat, culture, economy and infrastructure as well as its opportunities and challenges, including migration, tourism and innovation, thus reflecting the varied and dynamic human geography.
According to the 2020 census, Lienz has the highest urban population in East Tyrol, around 12,000 people. The population of Lienz consists of many ethnic and linguistic groups, including Tyroleans, Italians, Slovenes and Carinthians, as well as some immigrants and refugees from elsewhere, including Turkey, Syria and Afghanistan. Given a median age of 47.6 years and a low proportion of young people given a birth rate of 8.7 per 1,000 inhabitants, the population of Lienz is also characterized by a high concentration of people elderly. With 27.4% of the population having a higher education diploma and a high life expectancy of 81.2 years, the population of Lienz is also characterized by a high level of education and excellent health.
The agglomeration of Lienz is concentrated in the city center, where public and social facilities, historical and cultural attractions, commercial and administrative services are located. Each of the districts – the Old Town, the New Town, the Peggetz, the Anger and the Patriasdorf – has a unique past and character. The village of Lienz is also scattered in neighboring areas, where natural and protected areas, residential and recreational spaces, as well as industrial and agricultural activities are located. Each of the many villages and hamlets in the surrounding area – Gaimberg, Thurn, Oberlienz, Leisach – has a unique attraction.
Reflecting the city’s history, geography and identity, Lienz’s culture combines elements from many regions and eras. The culture of Lienz is manifested, among other things, in language, religion, art, music, literature and cuisine. German is the language of Lienz, but with a unique southern Bavarian dialect with some words and expressions from Romance languages, such as Italian and Slovenian. Although with some Protestant and Orthodox minorities as well as some non-religious and religious groups, Lienz is predominantly Roman Catholic. From medieval and Renaissance paintings and sculptures to modern and contemporary installations and exhibitions, Lienz’s varied and vivid artistic sensibility ranges. Lienz’s varied and energetic music combines classical and popular music, such as opera and rock, with traditional and folk music, including yodeling and accordion. Rich and powerful, Lienz’s literature includes the writings of famous authors and poets, including Josef Winkler, Christine Lavant and Peter Handke. Lienz cuisine combines tastes and ingredients from the Mediterranean and Alpine regions to create dishes like Tyrolean Knödel, Kaiserschmarrn and Schlipfkrapfen.
Three main sectors define the economy of Lienz: tourism, industry and agriculture. Because it provides food and raw materials to the city and region and maintains the landscape and surrounding area, agriculture is the oldest and most traditional industry. Agriculture in Lienz mainly focuses on the production of fruits, including apples, pears and plums, as well as dairy products, including milk, cheese and butter. As industry generates income and jobs for the city and the region and stimulates innovation and development, it constitutes the most modern and dynamic sector. Lienz’s industry is primarily focused on the manufacturing of wood products, including furniture, paper and pulp, as well as metal products, including steel, aluminum and copper. Since tourism improves culture and quality of life and generates income and jobs for the city and the region. It is therefore the largest and fastest growing industry. Lienz tourism mainly focuses on attracting domestic and European guests who come to savor the sunny climate, the old town and the breathtaking views of the Alps and the Dolomites.
Lienz has sufficient and well-maintained infrastructure as it offers the required and high-quality services for the city and region as well as for guests and residents. Lienz’s infrastructure includes transportation, communication, energy, water, health and education systems. Lienz’s transport system includes roads, railways, buses and airports that connect the city to the rest of the country and continent as well as neighboring countries and regions. For the city and its surroundings as well as for guests and residents, the communication system in Lienz includes telephone, Internet, radio and television, which provide knowledge and entertainment. For the city and region as well as for guests and residents, Lienz’s energy system includes electricity, gas and heating, thus providing power and comfort. The Lienz water system includes supply, treatment and distribution which provides water for industry, tourism, irrigation and drinking as well as for environmental protection and conservation. For the city and its surroundings as well as for guests and residents, the Lienz health system includes hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, thus offering health and preventive care. Lienz’s education system includes colleges, universities and schools that provide training and education to the city and region as well as visitors and residents.
