Austria's Core Country Status: What's The Verdict?

Austria, a landlocked country in Central Europe, is a member of the European Union but not NATO. It is a federation of nine states, with Vienna as its capital. Austria's geographic position at the centre of Europe has contributed to its prominence. It is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The country's landscape is predominantly mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming its physical backbone. Austria has a rich history, having been a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries until the fall of the Habsburg dynasty after World War I. Today, it is known for its high standard of living and thriving cultural life.

Austria's geography and borders

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with its capital in Vienna. It is bordered by eight countries: 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's total border length is 2,534 km (1,575 mi) or 2,706 km. Austria has a total area of 83,871 km2 (32,383 sq mi) or 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi) and is divided into nine federal states.

The landscape of Austria is characterised by mountains and forests, with approximately 60% of its territory being mountainous and part of the Eastern Alps. The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country and can be subdivided into a northern and southern limestone range, composed of rugged mountains, and a softer central range composed of crystalline rocks. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, rising to 3,797 m or 3,798 m.

North of the Alps lies a hilly subalpine region stretching between the mountains and the Danube River, which flows through Austria and has its source near Donaueschingen in southwestern Germany. The Bohemian Massif, of which the Granite and Gneiss Plateau is the oldest part, extends across the Czech border into Lower Austria. The lowland area east of Vienna and the northern part of Burgenland can be considered a western extension of the Little Hungarian Plain.

Austria is a land of lakes, many of which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch by glacial erosion. The largest lakes are Lake Constance in the west and the marshy Neusiedler Lake in the east, which also marks the border with Hungary.

Overall, Austria's geography is diverse, ranging from the Alps in the west to the lowlands and plains in the east, and its borders encompass a variety of landscapes and natural features.

Austrian history and the Habsburgs

The history of Austria is closely intertwined with the Habsburg monarchy, also known as the Habsburg Empire or Habsburg Realm. The Habsburgs were a prominent European dynasty that ruled over a collection of empires, kingdoms, duchies, counties, and other polities. The history of the Habsburg monarchy can be traced back to the election of Rudolf I as King of Germany in 1273, and his acquisition of the Duchy of Austria for the Habsburgs in 1282.

The Habsburgs rose to prominence through strategic marriages and political alliances. Rudolf I took advantage of the extinction of the Babenbergs and defeated Ottokar II of Bohemia at the Battle of Marchfeld in 1278, appointing his sons as Dukes of Austria and moving the family's power base to Vienna. Through marriage, the Habsburgs acquired control of the Burgundian Netherlands, Spain, and its territories, along with colonies in the New World.

The zenith of Habsburg power came in the 16th century under Emperor Charles V, who inherited vast territories, including the Habsburg Netherlands, Habsburg Spain, and its colonies. The Habsburgs also ruled Hungary and Bohemia from 1526 until 1918.

In the 18th century, the Habsburg monarchy was also referred to as the Austrian monarchy or the Danubian monarchy. The Habsburg realms were unified in 1804 with the formation of the Austrian Empire, which became one of the largest states in Europe. However, the empire suffered defeats and lost territories in the 1860s, leading to the establishment of Austria-Hungary in 1867.

The monarchy began to fracture during World War I, and it ultimately disbanded with the proclamation of the Republic of German-Austria and the First Hungarian Republic in 1918. The Habsburg rule ended with the defeat in World War I, and the new republics of Austria and Hungary were created. The Habsburgs were known for their multilingualism, with members speaking French, German, Italian, Czech, Hungarian, and other languages.

The Habsburgs left a significant legacy in Austrian history, and their rule shaped the country's political, social, and cultural landscape. The dynasty produced emperors, kings, and queens who ruled over vast territories, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

Austria's economy and industry

Austria's economy is 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 country has a semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president as head of state and a chancellor as head of government and chief executive.

Austria's economy is heavily reliant on international tourism, which accounts for around 10% of its GDP. The country is also known for its highly developed industry, with important sectors including food and luxury commodities, mechanical engineering, steel construction, chemicals, and vehicle manufacturing. Austrian farms, like those of other west European mountainous countries, are small and fragmented, and production is relatively expensive. The agricultural sector has been undergoing substantial reform under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) since Austria became a member in 1995.

Austria's industrial and commercial sectors are characterized by a high proportion of medium-sized companies. Austrian industry covers every branch of manufacturing, from basic goods to the labour-intensive production of highly processed products. The construction of plants and systems is an increasingly important and export-oriented share of the economy. The electronics sector is also largely export-oriented, including the production of integrated circuits.

Austria's economy is dominated by the service or tertiary sector, which constitutes approximately 70% of the gross value added (GVA). The largest service sector employers work in sales, hotel and restaurant services, as well as health and education. The secondary sector, including manufacturing, energy production and supply, and construction, represents 28% of Austria's GVA. 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's economy has close ties with other EU economies, particularly Germany. Trade with other EU countries accounts for almost 66% of Austrian imports and exports, and the country has drawn an influx of foreign investors due to its access to the European Single Market. Austria is also a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Austrian politics and government

Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a chancellor as the head of government and a president as the head of state. The country is made up of nine states (Bundesländer), with both regional and federal governments exercising executive power. The federal Parliament has two chambers: the directly elected Lower House (Nationalrat) and the Upper House (Bundesrat), which is elected by regional parliaments.

Austria's politics have been dominated by the so-called "grand coalition" governments of left- and right-wing parties for much of the postwar period. 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 until May 2019, when the coalition collapsed due to a scandal involving the leader of the Freedom Party.

Austria's current chancellor is Karl Nehammer, who took office in December 2021. Nehammer is also the leader of the conservative People's Party. The president is Alexander Van der Bellen, who was re-elected in October 2022, winning 57% of the vote in the first round.

Austria's neutral status during the Cold War, its position at the geographical heart of Europe, and its history as a major imperial power have all contributed to its enduring strategic significance. The country has a semi-presidential representative democracy, with a popularly elected president as head of state and a chancellor as head of government and chief executive.

Austria's Parliament consists of two chambers. The composition of the Nationalrat (183 seats) is determined every five years by a general election in which every citizen over the age of 16 has the right to vote. The Bundesrat, or Upper House, has a limited right of veto, but the Nationalrat can ultimately pass a bill by voting a second time.

Austria's political system is characterised by Proporz, where most politically important posts 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 also hold considerable influence and are usually consulted during the legislative process.

Since 1945, there have only been two single-party governments: ÖVP (1966-1970) and SPÖ (1970-1983). During other legislative periods, either a grand coalition of SPÖ and ÖVP or a "small coalition" with a smaller party has ruled the country.

Austria's neutral status was established in 1955 with the Austrian State Treaty, which ended the occupation of the country following World War II and recognised Austria as an independent and sovereign state. The country's neutrality has been a key aspect of its foreign policy, although it has been reassessed following the fall of the Soviet Union. Despite this, Austria has a tradition of engaging in UN-led peacekeeping and other humanitarian missions.

In terms of GDP per capita, Austria ranks fifth in the European Union, with €46,200, well above the EU average of €37,600. It accounts for 2.8% of the EU's total GDP.

Austrian culture and society

Language

Austrian German is the dominant language in Austria, although historically, the region had a diverse linguistic landscape. The country's ethnic composition has changed in recent decades, with notable Slovene, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian minorities. The official language, however, is German, and there are discernible differences between the versions spoken in Austria and Germany. For instance, the word for 'potato' in Austria is 'Erdapfel', while in Germany, it is 'Kartoffel'. Regional differences in dialect are also prevalent, with Viennese (Wienerisch) being spoken in Vienna and other dialects in rural areas.

Religion

Austria has a rich Roman Catholic tradition, having been the centre of the Habsburg monarchy, which championed Roman Catholicism. While in the 16th century, many Austrians converted to other denominations during the Protestant Reformation, the Habsburgs enforced measures of Counter-Reformation, and Austrian evangelicalism was harshly repressed. In recent decades, there has been a continuous decline in Christianity, with an increasing number of people declaring themselves without a religion or following other faiths.

Arts and Literature

Austria has a strong artistic heritage, including music, literature, architecture, and film. It is particularly renowned for its classical music, with Vienna having been a centre of musical innovation, attracting composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Johann Strauss Jr. Austrian literature has produced renowned novelists and poets, including Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, and Franz Kafka. The country also boasts impressive castles, palaces, and buildings, with several sites listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Cuisine

Austrian cuisine is influenced by the cultures of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and its neighbouring countries. It is known for its pastries and sweets, with Vienna being famous for its unique regional cuisine. Austrian coffeehouse culture is also notable, having been a meeting place for writers, poets, and intellectuals.

Sports

Austria, with its Alpine terrain, is a prime location for skiing and other winter sports. Football (soccer) and ice hockey are also popular, with a well-established football league system and a strong national ice hockey team.

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