Leslie Massey
Austrians are people from Austria, a landlocked country in south-central Europe. The country is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. Austria has a rich history, having been a powerful empire in the past and playing a significant role in both World Wars. The idea of unifying with Germany has been a point of contention for Austrians, with some identifying more with an `Austrian` character and others with a German one. Austrian culture values strong coffee, art, sports, music, and rich food. Austrians are known for their direct communication style and value punctuality, orderliness, and thoroughness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geography | Landlocked country in south-central Europe, with mountains and forests dominating its landscape |
| The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner (12,460 feet) | |
| The Danube River winds through the northeastern part of the country, between the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia | |
| Politics and History | Austria has a semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president and a chancellor |
| The country has a history of dictatorship, annexation by Nazi Germany, and occupation by Allied forces during World War II | |
| Austria declared its perpetual neutrality in 1955 and joined the European Union in 1995 | |
| Culture | Austrians are described as open-hearted but cautious, punctual, orderly, and thorough |
| They value family, with mealtimes being a family affair and a time for sharing | |
| Austrians are direct communicators and value eye contact during conversations | |
| They take pride in their appearance and enjoy rich food, strong coffee, art, sports, and music | |
| Popular foods include wiener schnitzel, sausages, and goulash | |
| Economy | Austria experienced economic turbulence after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire |
| The country received an international loan in 1922 to stabilize its currency and improve its economic condition |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian culture and customs
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with nine federated states and a diverse cultural landscape. German is the official language, with Austrian German being the most widely spoken variant, although many Austrians also speak English. The country's history and culture are closely tied to its former empires and multinational past, with influences from the Holy Roman Empire, the Habsburg monarchy, the Austrian Empire, and Austria-Hungary.
Austrian society is largely built around the family, with weekends often dedicated to family activities and shared meals. Austrians take pride in their homes, keeping them neat and tidy. They are known for their hospitality, and when invited to an Austrian's home for dinner, it is customary to bring a small gift, such as chocolates or flowers. Punctuality is important, and table manners follow Continental customs. Meals are a time for social connection, with Austrians often spending hours discussing various topics over food and coffee. This aspect of Austrian culture is known as "Gemuetlichkeit", reflecting a sense of coziness, social acceptance, and well-being.
Austria is known for its vibrant cultural scene, particularly in urban areas like Vienna, which has been a cultural hub since the early 16th century. The country has a rich history of music, art, literature, and philosophy, with famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss associated with its musical heritage. Vienna is also home to several palaces, including the baroque-style Belvedere and Schönbrunn, as well as numerous cemeteries, the most famous being the Zentralfriedhof.
Austria celebrates a variety of festivals and traditions throughout the year, including Easter celebrations, the Summer Solstice Fire, Christmas markets, and the Vienna New Year's Concert. The country is predominantly Roman Catholic, with religious events playing a significant role in the cultural calendar. Rural areas maintain a slower pace of life, where customs and heritage festivals mark the changing seasons.
In professional settings, Austrians value preparation, punctuality, and formality. First impressions are important, and Austrians will judge you based on your clothing and demeanour. They show deference to authority and follow strict rules of protocol in business interactions, with minimal joking or small talk.
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Austrian history
Austria has a long and complex history, dating back to the late Iron Age when it was occupied by the Hallstatt Celtic culture (c. 800 BC). Over the centuries, Austria has been influenced by various cultures and empires, including the Romans, the Bavarii, the Frankish Empire, and the Habsburg monarchy. The country has also been at the centre of significant historical events, such as the French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon, and World War I.
In the late 18th century, Austria began to develop a more centralised state under the reign of Maria Theresa of Austria and her son, Joseph II. However, it was not until 1804 that the Austrian Empire was formally established by Emperor Franz II, who became the first Austrian emperor. During this time, Austria was engaged in a war with Revolutionary France, which ultimately led to the end of the old Holy Roman Empire in 1806.
Following the defeat of Napoleon, Austria emerged as one of the continent's dominant powers and a recognised great power. In 1815, the German Confederation was founded under the presidency of Austria. However, social, political, and national conflicts continued to shake the German lands, leading to the 1848 revolutions and the debate over how to form a unified Germany. The Austrian Empire promoted the "Greater German solution", which advocated for unifying all German-speaking peoples under one state. However, this idea was opposed by the Kingdom of Prussia, which favoured the "Lesser German solution" of unifying only the northern German states and excluding Austria.
In the late 19th century, Austria-Hungary became a dual monarchy, acknowledging the Kingdom of Hungary as an independent state bound to the empire. This arrangement lasted until the end of World War I in 1918, when the empire collapsed and Austria was reduced to its mostly German-speaking areas. The Republic of German-Austria was proclaimed in 1918, followed by the First Austrian Republic in 1919. During the interwar period, anti-parliamentarian sentiments led to the formation of an Austrofascist dictatorship under Engelbert Dollfuss in 1934.
In 1938, a year before the outbreak of World War II, Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany by Adolf Hitler. However, after its liberation in 1945 and a decade of Allied occupation, Austria regained its sovereignty and declared its perpetual neutrality in 1955. Today, Austria is a semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president and a chancellor as its head of government and chief executive.
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Austrian politics
Austria's history is closely intertwined with that of Germany, and the question of unification between the two countries has been a recurring theme. The idea of unifying all German-speaking peoples into one nation-state led to a rapid rise in German nationalism within the German Confederation, particularly in the two most powerful German states: Austria and Prussia. This period of German dualism saw two competing visions for a united Germany: the "Greater German solution", which would have included Austria, and the "Lesser German solution", which would have excluded it. Ultimately, Prussia prevailed, and in 1871, Otto von Bismarck successfully unified the German Empire without Austria.
Austria's exclusion from the German Empire in 1866 marked a turning point in its history. The following year, Austria joined Hungary as a dual empire, forming the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This empire lasted until the end of World War I, when it collapsed along with the other great European empires. The defeat and collapse led to the proclamation of the Republic of German-Austria in 1918 and the First Austrian Republic in 1919.
The interwar period was marked by anti-parliamentarian sentiments and the rise of Austrofascism under Engelbert Dollfuss in 1934. Dollfuss established an autocratic regime, and his successor, Kurt Schuschnigg, acknowledged Austria as a "'German state" but wished to maintain its independence. However, in 1938, just before the outbreak of World War II, Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany by Adolf Hitler, himself an Austrian. During this period, some of the most prominent Nazis, including many high-ranking officials, were native Austrians.
After its liberation in 1945 and a decade of Allied occupation, Austria regained its sovereignty and declared its perpetual neutrality in 1955. Today, Austria is a semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president as head of state and a chancellor as head of government and chief executive. It is a full member of the European Union, having joined in 1995, and plays an active role in European politics through its participation in the Council of the EU and other institutions.
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Austrian geography
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing borders with eight countries: Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia. It is a predominantly mountainous country, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the nation. The Alps extend into Austria from Switzerland, covering around 70% of the country. The Alpine landscape offers a complex geological and topographical pattern, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner, rising to 12,460 feet (3,798 meters).
Three major ranges of the Alps run west to east through Austria: the Northern Calcareous Alps, the Central Alps, and the Southern Calcareous Alps. The Central Alps, which consist largely of a granite base, are the largest and highest ranges in the country. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are characterized by the majestic mountains and magnificent scenery of the high Alps.
The Brenner Pass, located on the Austrian-Italian border in Tyrol, is the most important pass in the Austrian Alps. At 1,370 meters, it is one of the lowest Alpine passes and provides a direct route between Europe's two most highly industrialized regions: Germany and Northern Italy. The Inn, Salzach, and Enns rivers north of the watershed of the Austrian Alps are direct tributaries of the Danube and flow north into the Danube Valley. The Danube River, in turn, flows towards the Alföld, or Hungarian Plain, in the east.
Austria can be divided into three main geographical areas. The first is the Alpine Region, which covers the central and western parts of the country and includes the Bavarian, Carnic, and Otztaler ranges. The second is the Hill Country, north of the Danube River, which rises into forested hills and lower mountains up to the border with the Czech Republic. The third is the Lowlands of the east and southeast, which serve as the country's agricultural center.
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Austrian economy
The Austrian economy is a highly developed one, with international tourism being a critical pillar. As a mountainous country with one of the largest natural land reserves in Central Europe, Austria attracts many tourists. The country is also a vital transit hub for European energy supplies, including petroleum, natural gas, and electricity. Additionally, Austria's economy is closely integrated with other European Union economies, particularly Germany, its main historical trading partner. Austria's membership in the EU has reduced its economic dependence on Germany and attracted foreign investors due to its access to the European Single Market.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the Austrian economy, making up 99.6% of all companies in the country. These SMEs are often highly specialised, contributing to Austria's ranking as the 10th most economically complex country globally. For instance, the country has a very high level of specialisation in handguns, railway maintenance vehicles, and unprocessed artificial staple fibres. In 2020, Austria was the world's largest exporter of handguns, with exports totalling $354 million, $304 million of which were to the United States alone.
The structure of the Austrian economy has shifted dramatically in recent decades, moving from primary and secondary sectors to the tertiary sector, i.e. services. As of 2020, the tertiary sector accounted for about 73% of GVA, with the secondary sector contributing around 25%. The largest employers in the Austrian service sector include sales, hotel and restaurant services, health, and education.
Despite its strong economic fundamentals, Austria faced an economic crisis in the early 1920s, with annual inflation reaching 2,877%. The League of Nations intervened, organising a reconstruction plan focused on financial revival. This included loans from international money markets and customs and tobacco tax revenues. The short-term effects were positive, with public confidence soaring and the end of hyperinflation.
Looking at more recent economic forecasts, Austria is projected to experience its second consecutive year of recession in 2024, with declining investment, lower exports, and weak private consumption. However, growth is expected to resume in 2025, driven by exports and the recovery of private consumption. The unemployment rate is also predicted to increase moderately during the recession before decreasing again following the anticipated economic recovery in 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
The landscape of Austria is largely mountainous and landlocked, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The country is situated in south-central Europe and is known for its beautiful scenery.
Austria has a long and complex history, dating back to the Holy Roman Empire. The country was once a powerful empire known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed after World War I. During the interwar period, Austria experienced social and economic turbulence, eventually becoming a dictatorship under Engelbert Dollfuss in 1934. In 1938, Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany, and it became a sub-national division. After World War II, Austria regained its sovereignty and declared its perpetual neutrality in 1955.
Austrians are known for their open-hearted and social nature, as well as their direct communication style. They value punctuality, orderliness, and thoroughness. Austrians also have a strong coffee culture and a love for sports, music, and rich food.
Austria is a semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president as head of state and a chancellor as head of government and chief executive.
The relationship between Austria and Germany has been complex. There was a debate about whether to unify all German-speaking peoples under one state, known as the German Question. Ultimately, Austria was excluded from the unified German Empire in 1866, and there was a struggle for Austrian identity between "Austrian" and "German" character. While Austria is considered a separate country today, there are still cultural and linguistic similarities between the two nations.
