Austria: A Country Of Mystery And Enigmas

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of around 9 million people. It is a parliamentary representative democracy and a federation of nine independent federal states. The country is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The capital and largest city is Vienna, with a population of around 2 million people. The official language is German, but other recognised languages include Croatian, Hungarian and Slovene.

Austria was a major power in Central Europe for centuries, until the fall of the Habsburg dynasty after World War One. It was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, but became an independent republic again in 1955. It is now a member of the European Union, and is known for its high standard of living.

History of Austria

The area of today's Austria has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period, with the fertile Danube Valley and the Alpine valleys settled as early as 8000 BC. Around 400 BC, Celtic peoples from Western Europe settled in the eastern Alps, establishing the Celtic state of Noricum around the region's ironworks in the second century BC. From the 7th century BC onwards, one of the main regions of Celtic occupation was in modern-day Austria, centred around Hallstatt, a large prehistoric salt-mining area.

In the 6th century, during the Migration Period, the Bavarii, a Germanic people, occupied these lands until they fell to the Frankish Empire in the 9th century. The name "Ostarrîchi" (Austria) has been in use since 996 AD when it was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria. From 1156, it was an independent duchy (later an archduchy) of the Holy Roman Empire.

From 1273 to 1918, Austria was dominated by the House of Habsburg and House of Habsburg-Lorraine. In 1806, Emperor Francis II dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, and Austria became the Austrian Empire, also joining the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. In 1867, Austria formed a dual monarchy with Hungary, creating the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

After World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and Austria was reduced to its current frontiers, mostly German-speaking areas of the former empire. It adopted the name "Republic of German-Austria", but union with Germany and the chosen country name were forbidden by the Allies at the Treaty of Versailles. This led to the creation of the First Austrian Republic (1919–1933). However, in 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians, and Austria ceased to exist as an independent country.

After World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. In 1955, ten years after the war, Austria became an independent republic once again as the Second Austrian Republic. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.

Geography of Austria

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous city and state. Austria is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The country occupies an area of 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi) and has a population of around 9 million.

Austria is a predominantly mountainous country because of its location in the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria. Of the total area of Austria (83,871 km2 or 32,383 sq mi), only about a quarter can be considered low-lying, and only 32% of the country is below 500 metres (1,640 ft). The Alps of western Austria give way somewhat into low lands and plains in the eastern part of the country.

The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country. They may be subdivided into a northern and a southern limestone range, each of which is composed of rugged mountains. These two ranges are separated by a central range that is softer in form and outline and composed of crystalline rocks. The Alpine landscape offers a complex geologic and topographical pattern, with the highest elevation—the Grossglockner (12,460 feet [3,798 metres])—rising toward the west. The western Austrian Länder (states) of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are characterized by the majestic mountains and magnificent scenery of the high Alps. This high Alpine character also extends to the western part of the state of Kärnten (Carinthia), to the Salzkammergut region of central Austria, and to the Alpine blocks of the state of Steiermark (Styria).

North of the massive Alpine spur lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the northern Alps and the Danube and encompassing the northern portion of the state of Oberösterreich (Upper Austria). To the north of the river is a richly wooded foothill area that includes a portion of the Bohemian Massif, which extends across the Czech border into the state of Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). This part of Austria is furrowed by many valleys that for centuries served as passageways leading to the east and southeast of Europe and even—in the case of medieval pilgrims and Crusaders—to the Holy Land. The lowland area east of Vienna, together with the northern part of the state of Burgenland, may be regarded as a western extension of the Little Alföld (Little Hungarian Plain).

Austria is a land of lakes, many of them a legacy of the Pleistocene Epoch (i.e., about 2,600,000 to about 11,700 years ago), during which glacial erosion scooped out mountain lakes in the central Alpine district, notably around the Salzkammergut. The largest lakes—lying partly in the territory of neighbouring countries—are Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west and the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) in the east.

Nearly all Austrian territory drains into the Danube River system. The main watershed between the Black Sea and the North Sea runs across northern Austria, in some places lying only about 22 miles (35 km) from the Danube, while to the west the watershed between the Danube and the river systems emptying into the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coincides with the western political boundary of Austria. In the south, the Julian and Carnic (Karnische) Alps and, farther to the west, the main Alpine range mark the watershed of the region draining into the Po River of northern Italy.

Austrian politics

Austria is a parliamentary representative democracy and a federal republic. The country is divided into nine independent federal states, each with its own constitution, legislature, and executive. The President is the head of state and is directly elected by popular majority vote. The Chancellor is the head of the government and is tasked with forming a government based on the partisan composition of the lower house of parliament. The government can be removed from office by either a presidential decree or a vote of no confidence in the lower chamber of parliament.

Austria's parliament consists of two chambers: the National Council and the Federal Council. The National Council is the dominant chamber in the legislative process, and its composition is determined every five years by a general election in which every citizen over the age of 16 has the right to vote. The Federal Council has a limited right of veto, and a constitutional convention was convened in 2003 to consider reforms to the constitution, but it failed to produce a proposal that would command a two-thirds majority in the National Council.

Austria's political system has been characterised by Proporz, whereby most posts of political importance are split proportionately between members of the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). Interest group "chambers" with mandatory membership (e.g. for workers, business people, farmers) have also grown to considerable importance and are usually consulted in the legislative process.

Since 1945, governing via a single-party government has occurred twice: 1966-1970 (ÖVP) and 1970-1983 (SPÖ). During all other legislative periods, either a grand coalition of SPÖ and ÖVP or a "small coalition" (one of these two and a smaller party) has ruled the country.

Recent Political History

For much of the post-war period, so-called "grand coalition" governments of left and right-wing parties have ruled Austria. However, the Social Democrats led by Bruno Kreisky ruled alone in the 1970s. More recently, the centre-right People's Party ruled in coalition with the far-right Freedom Party, but this coalition collapsed in May 2019 after a scandal involving the leader of the Freedom Party.

Current Political Leaders

President: Alexander Van der Bellen

Chancellor: Karl Nehammer

Austrian economy

Austria has a highly developed social market economy, with the country being one of the fourteen richest in the world in terms of GDP per capita. The service sector generates the vast majority of Austria's GDP, with Vienna having grown into a finance and consulting metropole. The country's economy is dominated by the service or tertiary sector, which constitutes approximately 70% of the gross value added, or GVA, as of 2020. The largest Austrian service sector employers work in sales, hotel and restaurant services as well as health and education. Representing 28% of Austria’s GVA, the secondary sector is primarily manufacturing, energy production and supply, and construction. The primary sector—agriculture and forestry—makes up only 1.2% of Austrian GVA and only one in thirty Austrians are employed in this sector.

Austria has a strong labour movement, with labour movements being particularly influential, exercising a large influence on labour politics and decisions related to the expansion of the economy. International tourism is the most important part of the economy of Austria, accounting for around 10% of Austria's GDP.

Austria has its own resources of petroleum and natural gas. The generation of hydroelectric power is constantly being expanded, which makes Austria the leader in the field of hydroelectric power in the European Union. The country is also world-famous for its arts and crafts, most notably fine hand-crafted items, customised jewellery, ceramics, and glassware.

Austria's economy is a free market economy with a strong social focus, also taking into account the weaker members of society. The country features a tried and tested system of economic and social partnership, which has traditionally played a strong and reconciliatory role in wage and price policies. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the basis of the Austrian economy and make up 99.6% of all companies in Austria.

Austria is a member of the European Union and has gained closer ties to other EU economies. Membership of the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to the aspiring economies of the European Union.

Austrian culture

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with a population of around 9 million people. The country is bordered by eight other European countries, each of which has influenced Austrian culture over the centuries. The country is divided into nine provinces, each with its own unique culture, language, and dialect.

German is the official language of Austria, but each region also has its own dialect. Other languages spoken in Austria include Turkish, Serbian, Slovene, Croatian, and Hungarian. The country has a diverse cultural landscape, with extensive cultural choices and sports facilities. Austrians are known for their love of sports, music, and the arts.

Austria has a strong Catholic tradition, which has greatly influenced its culture. However, daily life and legislation are strictly secular. Social cohesion and tolerance are of the highest importance in Austrian society, and the country has a history of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers.

Austrian cuisine is derived from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and is known for its well-balanced meat and vegetable dishes. The country also has a strong coffee culture, with coffeehouses serving as meeting places for writers and poets.

Overall, Austrian culture is known for its warmth, friendliness, and appreciation of the arts, nature, and good food.

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