One of four "statutory cities" in Lower Austria. A statutory city is designated a district in its own right. The statutory city's mayor acts as its district administrative authority. This right to an independent administrative authority also distinguishes statutory cities from other municipalities which are subject to, and administered by, larger political districts.
Krems an der Donau is the fifth largest city in Lower Austria and the smallest district in Austria in terms of area. The statutory city is located in both the Waldviertel and the Mostviertel Regions.
