Vienna, being the largest cities located the northeast part of Austria on the Danube River, was designated the capital of Austria in 1918. From the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early 20th century, Vienna played an essential role as a leading European music centre. It developed from early Celtic and Roman settlements into a Medieval and Baroque city, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The city is divided into 23 districts grouped. The historic centre of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as the Ringstrasse (late-19th-century) lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks.