Linz

Linz ( LIHNTS; Austrian German: [lɪnts] ; Czech: Linec [ˈlɪnɛt͡s]) is the capital of Upper Austria and third-largest city in Austria. Located on the river Danube, the city is in the far north of Austria, 30 km (19 mi) south of the border with Czechia. As of 1 January 2024, the city has a population of 214,064. It is the seventh-largest of all cities on the river Danube. The area of present-day Linz was the site of the Roman settlement of Lentia. Linz was first documented in medieval sources and developed as a commercial and administrative centre within the Duchy of Austria and later the Habsburg monarchy. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the city underwent significant industrialisation, including the establishment and expansion of steel and chemical production facilities. The city's economy subsequently diversified, with services, higher education, and research institutions becoming important components of local economic activity. Linz is home to several universities, museums, and annual festivals. In 2009, the city was designated a European Capital of Culture.