Lyla Lindsey
The official name for someone from Austria is Austrian. Historically, Austrians were regarded as ethnic Germans and viewed themselves as such. Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation until 1806 and had been part of the German Confederation, a loose association of 39 separate German-speaking countries. Naming practices are typically German. However, there are some slang names for Austrians, including Ösis, which is used by Germans, and Mostschädeln, which is used for Lower Austrians in the west and Upper Austrians.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official name | Republic of Austria |
| Native name | Österreich |
| Etymology of native name | Derived from the Old High German word Ostarrîchi, meaning "eastern realm" |
| Geographical location | Central Europe |
| Terrain | Mountainous; located in the Alps |
| Size | 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi) |
| Population | 9 million |
| Government | Semi-presidential representative democracy |
| GDP | 13th highest nominal GDP per capita |
| Naming customs | Typically German; surnames are often occupational, geographical, or patronymic |
| Titles | Emphasized in professional circles; used on business cards and official identification |
| Nicknames | Ösis, Schluchtenscheisser |
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What You'll Learn
Austrians historically viewed themselves as ethnic Germans
The name for someone from Austria is Austrian.
The exclusion of Austrian lands from the German Empire in 1871, headed by Prussia, led to a shift in Austrian identity away from Germany. This prompted the Social Democratic Leader Otto Bauer to describe the situation as "the conflict between our Austrian and German character". The establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867 also created ethnic conflict between German Austrians and other ethnic groups within the empire.
After World War II, Austrians began to develop a broader national identity distinct from Germany, which took time to establish. In a 1956 survey, 46% of Austrians still considered themselves Germans, but by 1964, only 15% did so. By 1987, this number had dropped to 6%.
Today, most Austrians consider themselves to be distinct from Germans, although their culture remains heavily influenced by Germany. Austrians are now considered a nationality rather than an ethnic group, and the country is ethnically diverse, with the second-largest ethnic group being Turks, who make up 4% of the population.
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The country's native name, Österreich, means 'eastern realm'
The native name for Austria, Österreich, means "eastern realm". The name is derived from the Old High German word Ostarrîchi, which was first recorded in the Ostarrîchi Document of 996. The document refers to the Margraviate of Austria, a borderland of the Duchy of Bavaria created in 976. The prefix "ostar-" in Ostarrîchi is related to the Old High German word "ōstan", meaning "eastern". The suffix "-richi" is derived from the Old High German word "rihhi", meaning "realm" or "domain". Thus, the native name for Austria, Österreich, means "eastern realm".
The Latin name for Austria, "Austria", is a Latinisation of the German name and was first recorded in the 12th century. The Latin name was likely derived from the Germanic word for "east", but it is also reminiscent of the native Latin term for "south", "auster". This may have led to some confusion, as the country is located south of Germany.
The name Austria may also have roots in the Celtic languages of ancient Austria. According to Austrian historian Friedrich Heer, the Germanic form Ostarrîchi and the Latin name Austria may have both originated from the much older Celtic term Norig, which was the name of the major part of the country more than 2,500 years ago. In the Celtic language of the Hallstatt culture, "no-" or "nor-" meant "east" or "eastern", while "-rig" is related to the modern German word "Reich", meaning "realm". Thus, Norig would essentially mean the same as Ostarrîchi and Österreich, or "eastern realm". The Celtic name was eventually Latinised to Noricum after the Romans conquered the area around 15 BC.
Another theory suggests that the term Ostarrîchi may be derived from a Slavic toponym, Ostravica, meaning "pointed hill". This theory has been rejected by some linguists as untenable. It is also possible that the name originated from the Ostrogoths, who had a kingdom in what is now Austria and northern Italy.
The country's full name is the Republic of Austria (Republik Österreich), and it 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. Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It 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.
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Austria is a semi-presidential representative democracy
The name "Austria" is derived from the Latinisation of the German name "Österreich", which first appeared in the "Ostarrîchi document" of 996. The German name itself originates from the Old High German "Ostarrîchi", meaning "eastern realm". The country is formally known as the Republic of Austria.
Austria as a Semi-Presidential Representative Democracy
Austria's federal legislative power is vested in the Federal Government and the two chambers of Parliament: the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The National Council is the predominant chamber, with 183 members elected for a five-year term by proportional representation. To be represented in the National Council, a party must win at least four percent of the national vote or secure a seat in one of the 43 regional constituencies. The Federal Council, on the other hand, has 62 members selected by the state legislatures (Landtage).
The Federal Council represents the interests of the provinces in Parliament, while the Provincial Assemblies (Landtage) represent the interests of citizens in the individual provinces. Each federal province is administered by a Provincial Government, led by a Provincial Governor (Landeshauptmann) elected by the respective Provincial Assembly.
The Federal Government is responsible for drafting legislation, which is then submitted to Parliament. It is headed by the Federal Chancellor (Bundeskanzler), who, along with the Vice Chancellor and federal ministers, conducts government business. The judiciary in Austria is independent of the executive and legislative branches, with judges enjoying independence in the exercise of their office.
Austria's legal system recognises three instruments of direct democracy: referendums (Volksabstimmungen), popular initiatives (Volksbegehren), and national opinion polls (Volksbefragungen). The Federal President has the responsibility of swearing in the Federal Chancellor and can be removed from office through a referendum or brought before the Constitutional Court if found to be in violation of the Constitution.
Austria's political system, referred to as the Second Republic, was established after the country regained its independence from the occupying Allied Powers following World War II. The country has enjoyed a stable government under a constitutional federal republican system for over two decades, with a strong emphasis on titles, degrees, and suffixes in professional circles.
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Austria is landlocked and mountainous
The name "Austria" comes from the Latinisation of the German name "Österreich", which was derived from the Old High German "Ostarrîchi", meaning "eastern realm". The country is officially called the Republic of Austria.
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, occupying an area of 83,879 square kilometres (32,386 square miles) and hosting a population of around 9 million. It is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north and northeast, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.
Austria is a largely mountainous country due to its location in the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps are all found within its borders. Of its total area, only about a quarter can be considered low-lying, and just over 28% is moderately hilly or flat. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, which rises to a height of 3,797-3,798 metres (12,460 feet).
The Alps of western Austria give way to lowlands and plains in the eastern part of the country. The percentage of arable land increases in the east as the landscape becomes less alpine. The granite massif of the Bohemian Forest, located north of the Danube Valley, is a low mountain range with bare and windswept plateaus and a harsh climate. It covers approximately 10% of Austria's area.
The mountains of the Alps have had a significant influence on the country's history and culture. They have served as a geographic barrier, separating groups of people and influencing settlement patterns. The challenging terrain has also contributed to Austria's relatively low population density compared to other Western and Central European countries.
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Austrian naming customs are typically German
Historically, Austrians were considered ethnic Germans, and Austria was a part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation until 1806. During this time, it was also a part of the German Confederation, a loose association of 39 separate German-speaking countries. Given this shared history and cultural connection, it is not surprising that Austrian naming practices are typically German.
In Austria, surnames are passed down through the father's lineage, and children are usually given two or more names. After marriage, a couple can choose to adopt either partner's surname as their own, with the default case being that the wife takes the husband's surname. The partner who changes their surname may use their maiden name alongside their partner's, connected by a hyphen. For example, "Julia Anja BAUER-SCHMIDT". Additionally, some surnames in Austria display characteristics of the local dialect, with certain areas using diminutive endings like -erl, -le, or -li. For example, the name "Schäuble" has the diminutive '-le'.
While traditional names like Anna and Lukas remain popular, Austrians have also started choosing more popular English and international names. The use of titles and degrees is also important in Austria, with individuals often including these on their business cards and official identification. For example, the "Magister" degree becomes the title "Mag." on official documents.
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Frequently asked questions
A person from Austria is typically called an Austrian.
Some slang names for Austrians include "Ösis", "Schluchtenscheisser", and "Xiberger".
Historically, Austrians were regarded as ethnic Germans and naming practices are typically German. Surnames often come from occupations, geography, or a person's father's name. Given names often come from Biblical names, saints, or Old German.
The country of Austria is named after the Latinisation of the German name "Österreich", which means "eastern realm". The name "Austrian" for people from Austria is influenced by this name for the country.
