Schwaz (German pronunciation: [ˈʃvaːts] ) is a city in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It is the administrative center of the Schwaz district. Schwaz is located in the lower Inn valley.

Schwaz
Schwaz seen from the northeast
Schwaz seen from the northeast
Flag of Schwaz
Coat of arms of Schwaz
Location in Tyrol
Location in Tyrol
Schwaz is located in Tyrol, Austria
Schwaz
Schwaz
Location within Austria
Schwaz is located in Austria
Schwaz
Schwaz
Schwaz (Austria)
Coordinates: 47°21′00″N 11°42′00″E / 47.35000°N 11.70000°E / 47.35000; 11.70000
CountryAustria
StateTyrol
DistrictSchwaz
Government
 • MayorVictoria Weber (Team Zukunft)
Area
 • Total20.21 km2 (7.80 sq mi)
Elevation
545 m (1,788 ft)
Population
 (2018-01-01)[2]
 • Total13,728
 • Density680/km2 (1,800/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
6130
Area code05242
Vehicle registrationSZ
Websitewww.schwaz.at

Location

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Schwaz lies in the middle of the Lower Inn Valley at the foot of the Kellerjoch and Eiblschrofen mountains. It is located approximately 30 km (19 mi) east of Innsbruck.

The city covers an area of 20.17 km2 (7.79 sq mi).

Neighbouring communities include: Buch bei Jenbach, Fügenberg, Gallzein, Pill, Stans, and Vomp.

History

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Schwaz has been firstly mentioned as „Sûates“ in deed dating back to 930–1.[3] The Counts of Tyrol guarded Schwaz from nearby Burg Freundsberg. At the town's height during the 15th and 16th centuries, it was an important silver mining center, providing mineral wealth for both the Fugger banking family and, through them, for the Austrian emperors. During this period, its population of about 20,000 inhabitants made it the second largest city in the Austrian Empire, after Vienna.[4]

Schwaz received its city rights in 1898 by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria.

Population

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
18694,813—    
18805,124+6.5%
18905,888+14.9%
19006,545+11.2%
19107,385+12.8%
19237,033−4.8%
19347,738+10.0%
19397,523−2.8%
19518,898+18.3%
19619,455+6.3%
197110,298+8.9%
198110,929+6.1%
199111,839+8.3%
200112,212+3.2%
201111,994−1.8%

Economy

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Three large industrial companies have their headquarters in Schwaz:

  • Tyrolit – a globally active producer of bonded abrasives
  • Adler Lacke – a family-run producer of coating systems
  • DAKA – a regional waste management company

Notable people

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Martin Hoellwarth, 2004

Sport

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International relations

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Twin towns – Sister cities

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Schwaz is twinned with:

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References

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  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. ^ Martin Bitschnau; Hannes Obermair (2009), Tiroler Urkundenbuch. II. Abteilung: Die Urkunden zur Geschichte des Inn-, Eisack- und Pustertals. Band 1: Bis zum Jahr 1140 (in German), Universitätsverlag Wagner, pp. 104–5, ISBN 978-3-7030-0469-8
  4. ^ Chizzali, Tyrol: Impressions of Tyrol. (Innsbruck: Alpina Printers and Publishers), p. 28
  5. ^ Reville, John C (1912). "Georg Scherer" . Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 13.
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