Gosau is a municipality in the district of Gmunden in Upper Austria, Austria.

Gosau
Coat of arms of Gosau
Gosau is located in Austria
Gosau
Gosau
Location within Austria
Coordinates: 47°35′0″N 13°32′0″E / 47.58333°N 13.53333°E / 47.58333; 13.53333
CountryAustria
StateUpper Austria
DistrictGmunden
Government
 • MayorMarkus Schmaranzer (ÖVP)
Area
 • Total113.41 km2 (43.79 sq mi)
Elevation
767 m (2,516 ft)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[2]
 • Total1,792
 • Density16/km2 (41/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
4824
Area code06136
Vehicle registrationGM
Websitewww.gosau.ooe.gv.at

Location edit

Gosau is situated along the Gosaubach stream in the Salzkammergut region. The center of the town is at an elevation of 767 metres (2,516 ft). 58.9% of the municipality is forested. At the southern end of Gosau there is a road leading to the Vorderer Gosausee, a lake with a view of the Dachstein.

Gosau is one of the few Lutheran communities in Austria, with about 71% of the population being Lutheran.[citation needed]

History edit

The valley around Gosau was settled in the 13th century by monks from St. Peter's Abbey in Salzburg. Timber production for the salt mine in Hallstatt was a major industry. In 1490 the town became part of the Principality above the Enns River. The area was repeatedly occupied by the French during the Napoleonic wars. When the Republic of Austria was formed in 1918, Gosau became part of the federal state of Upper Austria. In 1938 the area was annexed by the German Reich along with the rest of Austria, and Gosau became part of the "Gau Oberdonau," returning to Upper Austria when the Republic of Austria was reconstituted in 1945.

Economy edit

In the past timber production and salt mining in neighboring Hallstatt were the major industries in Gosau. Today, tourism is the main source of income, although raising livestock, mainly cattle, is also an important economic activity.[citation needed]

Politics edit

Gosau is governed by a 19-member council and Mayor Markus Schmaranzer of the Austrian People's Party.[3]

Notable people edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Dauersiedlungsraum der Gemeinden Politischen Bezirke und Bundesländer - Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Einwohnerzahl 1.1.2018 nach Gemeinden mit Status, Gebietsstand 1.1.2018". Statistics Austria. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. ^ nachrichten.at