Oberösterreich

Oberösterreich, province of Austria, bounded on the north by the Czech Republic, on the east by the province of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria), on the south by the provinces of Steiermark (Styria) and Salzburg, and on the west by Germany. Oberösterreich (Upper Austria) has an area of 11,980 sq km (4,625 sq mi). The Danube flows across Oberösterreich from west to east; north of the river the province is a forested plateau, while to the south rolling hills provide good farming territory. Cereals, dairy products, and fruit are the chief farm products. Timber, salt, and lignite (brown coal) are the main natural resources. Linz, the provincial capital, is an industrial center important for iron smelting. The cities of Wels and Steyr combine trading activity with some industry. Population 1,396,228 (2004 estimate).