Vienna is Austria's capital and primary city, with a population of about 1.7 million and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre. Vienna is host to many major international organizations, such as the United Nations and OPEC.

Vienna lies in the east of Austria and is close to the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Evidence of continuous habitation has been found since 500 BC, when the site of Vienna on the Danube River was settled by the Celts. As a city, Vienna regularly hosts urban planning conferences and is often used as a case study by urban planners. In 2001, the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2005 was ranked first for quality of life.

Major tourist attractions include the imperial palaces of the Hofburg and Schönbrunn (also home to the world's oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn) and the Riesenrad in the Prater. Cultural sights also include the Burgtheater, the Wiener Staatsoper, numerous parks and museums.