Geography
Au is located in the westernmost province of Austria, Vorarlberg, in the district of Bregenz. The town belongs to the Bregenz Forest, more exactly to the Hintere Bregenzerwald.
Forty percent of its 45 km² area is covered with forest, 34.4% of the area is used as alpine pasture (Almwirtschaft) and for other forms of alpine agriculture.
The town itself is unlike others in the area, as it has no real centre. It consists of several districts, which are (in no particular order): Argenau, Wieden, Lugen, Lebernau, Rehmen, Schrecken, Kreuzgasse, Jaghausen, Am Stein, Argenstein, Argenzipfel and Lisse. Au is an example of a "scattered village" (German: Streudorf).
The town hall is located in Argenau, whereas the church is located in Jaghausen. The district of Rehmen also has its own church.
The river, the Bregenzer Ach, flows through Au and is also the largest river. Alongside the river runs the L200 road, which is the main route through the Bregenz Forest.
The locals divide the town into two parts, which are separated by the river. One Part is called Schattseite (meaning shady side), and consists of the districts of Argenau, Argenzipfel and Wieden, the other part is called Sonnseite (meaning sunny side) and consists (mainly) of Rehmen and Schrecken.
Read more about this topic: Au, Vorarlberg
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