Austria is a country of startling contrasts, from the Austrian Alps in the west to the Danube Basin in the east. It is not only famous as one of the world's premier skiing regions, but also for its historical buildings, world-class museums and galleries, breathtaking scenery, magnificent mountains and established hiking trails. The nine Federal Provinces, Burgenland, Lower Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg) divide the country along geographical and cultural lines. After Vienna, the western provinces of Salzburg, Tirol and Vorarlberg are the most popular tourist regions, although the southern province of Carinthia (bordering Italy and Slovenia) is now taking a larger share of the trade owing to its mild climate and attractive lakes.