Austria is a German-speaking country of central Europe, characterized by mountain villages, Baroque architecture, an imperial history and a rugged alpine territory. Vienna, the capital, is located on the Danube and is home to the palaces of Schönbrunn and Hofburg. It gave birth to Mozart, Strauss and Freud. Other important regions of the country are Bohemian Forest in the north, Lake Traunsee and vineyards on the eastern hills.