5 Euro of Austria 2013 Ag BU - Land of Water

As a land of spectacular snow-capped peaks and beautiful steep-sided valleys, Austria is also home to an abundance of fast-flowing rivers, crystal-clear streams and pristine lakes. Struck in honour of the UNESCO Year of Water Cooperation 2013, whose objective is to raise awareness of the challenges facing water management, Land of Water proudly celebrates this aquatic paradise.

The quality of Austria’s water is second to none. Even the metropolis of Vienna gets its delicious untreated drinking water directly from mountain springs situated high in the Alps south west of the capital. But as well as for drinking water and as a vital source of 'clean' hydro-electric energy, the country’s waterways have been used by generations of Austrians as a means of transport and incomparable leisure resource.