Graz

Graz is a city in Austria and capital of Styria.

Graz
The Schlossberg (Castle Hill) with the clock tower (Uhrturm), as seen from town hall
Flag Coat of arms
Graz Location within Austria
Coordinates: 47°4′N 15°26′E
Country	Austria
State	Styria
District	Statutory city
Government
• Mayor	Siegfried Nagl (ÖVP)
Area [1]
• Total	127.57 km2 (49.26 sq mi)
Elevation	353 m (1,158 ft)
Population  (2018-01-01)[2][3]
• Total	289,440
• Density	2,300/km2 (5,900/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	A-801x, A-802x, A-803x, A-804x, A-805x
Area code	+43 316
Vehicle registration	G
Website	www.graz.at
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Official name	City of Graz – Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg
Criteria	Cultural: ii, iv
Reference	931
Inscription	1999 (23rd Session)
Extensions	2000

After Vienna, Graz has the second highest number of people living in the city. In 2014 the city and surrounding areas had 605,143 people. The city has six universities.

History

The oldest reference to Graz in historical documents is from 1128. In 1379 Graz became the capital of Inner Austria. (Inner Austria included Styria, Carinthia, Krain, Inner Istria and Trieste.) The Roman Empire used Graz as a stronghold to defend against enemies on the southeast. Two of the buildings created at that period (Glockenturm which is a clock tower, and Uhrturm which is a bell tower) have become landmarks of Graz.^[4]

The Historic Centre and Schloss Eggenberg is named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.^[5]