Salzkammergut

Salzkammergut, called the Austrian Switzerland, one of the most picturesque districts of Europe, lies wedged between the Austrian crown-land of Salzburg on the west and Styria on the east. Area, about 230 sq. m.; pop. 17,500. The scenery combines in rare beauty the features of valley, mountain, and lake. The highest peak, the Dachstein, reaches an altitude of 9830 feet. But the district derives its principal attraction from its lakes, the most famous of which are Hallstatt, Traun or Gmunden, Atter, St Wolfgang, Aber, Mond, and Zell. It derives its name of 'Salt-exchequer Property' from its salt springs and mines, which yield some 80,000 tons of salt annually. The chief seats of the salt-works are Ischl (q.v.), Hallstatt, and Ebensee. Little or no agriculture is carried on; the inhabitants not engaged in the salt-industry are employed in cattle-breeding and in the timber trade.