Leslie Massey
Austria is a federal republic that is divided into nine federal states, also known as Bundeslander. Each state has its own government and legislative authority, with the power to pass laws within constitutional limits. While the majority of legislative powers are held by the national government, the federal states retain authority over certain areas such as planning, zoning, nature protection, and agriculture. The largest state in Austria by area is Lower Austria, covering 7,408 square miles, while Vienna, the capital, is the largest city/state by population with approximately 1.9 million people.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest state by area | Lower Austria |
| Area covered by largest state | 7,408 square miles |
| Population of largest state | 1.6 million |
| Capital of largest state | St. Polten |
| Second-largest state by area | Tyrol |
| Area covered by second-largest state | 4,897 square miles |
| Population of second-largest state | 750,000 |
| Capital of second-largest state | Innsbruck |
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What You'll Learn
What is a Bundeslander?
Austria is a federal republic that is divided geographically and administratively into nine federated states, locally known as "Bundesländer". These states are further subdivided into districts known as "Bezirke" and statutory cities. Each Bundesländer has its own state government and legislative authority, which is distinct from the federal government. All state governments are elected every five years, except for Upper Austria, which holds its elections every six years.
The term "Bundesland" is used to refer to a federal state in Austria and Germany. In Germany, there are 16 federal states or Bundesländer, which are divided into smaller city-states and larger area states. Each Bundesland has its own capital and is further divided into administrative districts and municipalities.
The Austrian Bundesländer can pass laws that stay within the limits of the constitution, and each has representatives in the main Austrian parliament. The majority of the land area in the federal states of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, and Burgenland is situated in the Danube valley and consists almost completely of accessible and easily arable terrain.
The federal state governor, or "Landeshauptmann", is in charge of the administration of much of the federal administrative law within the respective province. Federal state competences include zoning laws, planning issues, and public procurement at the regional level. While Austrian federal states are endowed with a smaller degree of autonomy compared to American states or German lands, Austrians tend to identify strongly with their respective federal states.
Lower Austria is the country's largest state by area, covering 7,408 square miles. It is the second-largest state in terms of population, with approximately 1.6 million people. Vienna, which is both a Bundesland and the capital city of Austria, is the largest city/state by population, with approximately 1.9 million people.
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What is the population of Lower Austria?
Austria is divided into nine federal states, and Lower Austria is the largest of these by area, covering 7,408 square miles. It is the second-largest state in Austria in terms of population, with approximately 1.6 million people calling it home. Lower Austria's population density is relatively low, ranking fourth in the country, as large areas of land are used for agriculture. The state capital is St Polten, and it shares borders with Vienna, Upper Austria, Burgenland, Styria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Lower Austria's population is growing, largely due to immigration, as the number of births and deaths are usually more balanced. In the ten years leading up to January 1st, 2021, 97% of Austria's total population growth of 557,500 people could be attributed to net migration gains. The population of Austria is mainly concentrated in the states of Vienna, Lower Austria, Upper Austria, and Burgenland, which are within the Danube Valley.
The population of Lower Austria is ageing, with the number and percentage of senior citizens aged 65 and above increasing. As of 2021, of the 8.93 million residents in Austria, approximately 1.29 million are children under 15, while 1.72 million are 65 or older. This ageing population trend is expected to continue as the Baby Boom Generation reaches retirement age.
Lower Austria's population density is lower than that of Vienna, which is the most densely populated state in Austria. Vienna has a population of about 1.9 million people, which accounts for one-fifth of Austria's total population and one-third of the country's metropolitan population. Lower Austria includes Vienna's suburbs, but its land is predominantly agricultural, contributing to its lower population density.
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What is the capital of Lower Austria?
Lower Austria is one of the nine states of Austria, located in the northeastern corner of the country. It is the country's largest state by area, covering 7,408 square miles. The state has a population of 1.6 million people, making it the second-largest state in Austria after Vienna. Lower Austria is divided into four regions, known as Viertel or quarters: Weinviertel or Tertiary Lowland, Waldviertel or Bohemian Plateau, Mostviertel, and Industrieviertel. The state has an international border with the Czech Republic and Slovakia and shares domestic borders with Upper Austria, Styria, Burgenland, and Vienna.
The capital of Lower Austria is St. Pölten, which is known for its impressive modern architecture and Baroque city centre. St. Pölten boasts a lively bar scene, exciting shops, and a thriving culinary culture. The city has a rich history, with Roman and Celtic influences, and is home to the oldest documented city charter in Austria, granted in 1159. St. Pölten also offers a vibrant arts scene, with a booming fringe theatre community and venues like the Landestheater theatre and Festspielhaus festival hall.
St. Pölten replaced Vienna as the capital of Lower Austria in 1986, although Vienna had never officially been part of the state. Vienna became a separate state in 1921 and received federal state status in 1920. As the heart of the country's only metropolitan area, Vienna is both the capital city of Austria and one of its nine states.
Lower Austria has a strong culinary tradition, with a variety of traditional country inns, cosy taverns, and top restaurants serving excellent regional dishes. Visitors can enjoy potato noodles with poppy seeds, roast pork, Marchfeld asparagus, and apricot dumplings from the Wachau region. The state is also known for its wine taverns, castles, and palaces, as well as its natural attractions, including lakes and forests.
Overall, St. Pölten offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern innovation as the capital of Lower Austria, contributing to the cultural and economic vibrancy of the state and the country as a whole.
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What are the legislative powers of the largest state?
Vienna is the largest city in Austria by area and population, with a population of approximately 1.9 million people and a metropolitan area of about 2.6 million. It is also the smallest state in Austria, covering an area of approximately 160.1 square miles. Vienna received federal state status in 1920 and is one of the richest regions in the EU, with a GRP per capita of 47,200 euros. As the capital of Austria, Vienna plays a dual role as a city and a federal state.
As for the legislative powers of Vienna and other federal states in Austria, they are limited, with Austrian federalism being largely theoretical. The federal states have representatives in the main Austrian parliament and can pass laws that stay within the limits of the constitution. Each federal state has an elected legislature, the federal state parliament, and a federal state government headed by a governor. The governor is in charge of administering federal administrative law within the respective province, including zoning laws, planning issues, and public procurement at the regional level.
The federal states' legislative powers also include certain issues of public health and welfare, youth protection, nature protection, hunting, fishing, farming, and the right to levy certain taxes. However, many legislative powers lie with the national government, including criminal law, civil law, corporate law, economic law, defense, educational matters, telecommunications, and the healthcare system.
The Austrian Parliament consists of two chambers: the National Assembly (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The National Assembly is the main legislative body, and the preparation and implementation of legislation occur in the Federal Government or the Provincial Governments. The Federal Government is headed by the Federal Chancellor, who, along with the Vice Chancellor, federal ministers, and state secretaries, conducts government business.
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What is the largest state's landscape like?
Austria's largest state by area is Lower Austria, covering 7,408 square miles. It is the country's second-largest state in terms of population, with approximately 1.6 million people. The state capital is St Polten, although Vienna was historically the capital of Lower Austria.
Lower Austria is characterised by its location in the Danube Valley, which makes the region accessible and easily arable. The landscape is predominantly agricultural, with many valleys that have historically served as passageways to the east and southeast of Europe. The region is also known for its lakes, which are a legacy of the Pleistocene Epoch, during which glacial erosion scooped out mountain lakes in the central Alpine district.
The state is located in the northeasternmost part of Austria and shares international borders with the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It also borders other Austrian states, including Vienna, Upper Austria, Burgenland, and Styria.
Lower Austria is part of the larger region of the Northern Alpine Foreland, which includes the Danube Valley and the lowlands and hilly regions in northeastern and eastern Austria. The landscape is moderately hilly or flat, making it one of the most suitable areas for settlement in the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Lower Austria is the largest state in Austria by area, covering 7,408 square miles.
There are nine federal states in Austria, locally known as "Bundeslander."
Vienna is the largest city in Austria, with a population of approximately 1.9 million people.
