Ruqayyah Snyder
Carinthia, known as Kärnten in German, is a state in southern Austria. It is the fifth-largest Austrian state by area, stretching about 180 km (110 mi) from east to west, and 70 km (43 mi) in a north–south direction. The state capital, Klagenfurt, is a great starting point for exploring the region, with its historic city centre and charming old town. Carinthia is known for its impressive blend of nature and culture, with majestic mountains and sparkling lakes, and its unique sense of ease and joy. The region offers countless hiking and cycling trails through the breathtaking Alps, and its lakes are ideal for relaxation and watersports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Area | 9,536 km2 (3,682 sq mi) |
| Population | 570,000 (as of 2024) |
| Language | German (majority), Slovene |
| State Assembly | Kärntner Landtag ("Carinthian State Diet") |
| Austrian State | Fifth-largest by area |
| Geography | Mountains, lakes, valleys, peaks |
| Climate | Humid continental climate (Köppen) |
| History | Settlement history dates back to the Paleolithic era |
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What You'll Learn
Carinthia's landscape
Carinthia, located in southern Austria, is known for its idyllic landscape of mountains and lakes. The state is confined by mountain ranges—the Carnic Alps and the Karawanks—which form its border with Italy and Slovenia. Carinthia's landscape is characterised by a variety of mountains, from the mighty three-thousanders to the gentle Nock Mountains, part of the 96-square-kilometre Biosphere Reserve Nockberge. The region also boasts over 200 lakes with drinking water quality, including the famous Lake Wörthersee, Lake Millstätter See, and Lake Ossiacher See. The largest part of Carinthia's population settles in the Klagenfurt Basin, an inner Alpine sedimentary basin covering about one-fifth of the area.
The Klagenfurt Basin, located in the southeast of Carinthia, is home to most of the region's larger towns and lakes. The basin stands in contrast to the mountainous Upper Carinthian region in the northwest, which stretches up to the Alpine crest. The basin is known for its cultural offerings, including the Carinthian Summer Music Festival and historic cities such as Klagenfurt, Villach, and Velden, a popular seaside resort on Lake Wörthersee.
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Klagenfurt
Located in the southeast of Carinthia, Klagenfurt is the largest city in the state and the sixth-largest in all of Austria, with a population of 105,443 as of 2025. The city is situated in the Klagenfurt Basin, an inner Alpine sedimentary basin that covers about one-fifth of Carinthia's area. This basin is home to many of the state's larger towns and lakes, including the idyllic Lake Wörthersee, renowned for its turquoise waters and surrounded by stunning mountain ranges.
The city's historical highlights include the grand Renaissance monument in the city centre, commemorating the slaying of the lindwurm, and the Neuer Platz, a city centre square constructed according to Renaissance ideas. Once renowned as the strongest fortress north of the Alps, Klagenfurt's fortifications were largely destroyed by French troops under Napoleon in 1809. Today, only a small stretch of the western wall remains, a reminder of the city's grand fortifications.
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History
The settlement history of Carinthia, a federal state in southern Austria, dates back to the Paleolithic era. In 590 A.D., the Slavs settled in Carinthia and in parts of the modern Austrian provinces of Styria and Salzburg. The community of Karnburg, located within today's Maria Saal, became a seat of governance for their princes. Karnburg later became the capital of the Duchy of Carinthia, and Emperor Arnulf of Carinthia established an imperial palace there. The stone Duke's Chair on the Zollfeld, which played an important role in ducal inaugurations, still stands today.
The Ravenna Cosmography (about AD 700) referred to a Slavic "Carantani" tribe as the eastern neighbours of the Bavarians. In the 8th century, the chronicler Paul the Deacon mentioned "Slavs in Carnuntum" in his "History of the Lombards". The historic market town of Maria Saal in Carinthia is home to one of the earliest churches founded in the region, with roots going back to the 8th century.
In 976, the Duchy of Carinthia was split from the Bavarian duchy by Emperor Otto II. Carinthia was the first newly created duchy of the Holy Roman Empire and briefly comprised lands stretching from the Adriatic Sea almost to the Danube. In 1040, the March of Carniola was separated from it, and around 1180, Styria became a duchy in its own right. After the death of Duke Henry VI of Gorizia-Tyrol in 1335, Carinthia passed to the Habsburg brothers Albrecht II and Otto IV, who ruled until 1918.
After the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806, Carinthia was incorporated into the Austrian Empire's Kingdom of Illyria, which succeeded Napoleon's Illyrian Provinces. However, it recovered its previous status in 1849 and became one of the Cisleithanian crown lands of Austria-Hungary in 1867. In 1918, Carinthia became part of the State of German-Austria, which specifically excluded "Yugoslav areas of settlement". After World War I, some of Carinthia's territory was ceded to Yugoslavia and Italy.
During World War II, Slovene Partisan resistance was active in the southern areas of Carinthia. Towards the war's end, the Nazis attempted to implement a plan for Carinthia to become part of the projected Nazi National Redoubt, but they failed, and the German forces surrendered to the British Army. Following World War II, Carinthia formed part of the UK occupation zone of Allied-administered Austria, and German-allied Cossacks were turned over to the Red Army in 1945. The Allied occupation was terminated in 1955, and Austria's sovereignty was restored.
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Population
Carinthia, known as Kärnten in German, is a federal state in southern Austria. It is predominantly Alpine, with a humid continental climate, and is known for its numerous lakes and mountains. The state stretches about 180 km (110 mi) from east to west and 70 km (43 mi) from north to south, covering an area of 9,536 sq km (3,682 sq mi). It is the fifth-largest Austrian state by area.
The population of Carinthia is approximately 570,000 as of 2024. The largest part of the population settles in the Klagenfurt Basin between Villach and Klagenfurt, which is also the capital city of Carinthia. The majority of the population is German-speaking, with a unique Southern Austro-Bavarian dialect. In the southern and southeastern parts of the state, there is a Slovene-speaking minority known as the Carinthian Slovenes. The proportion of the population with a migration background in Carinthia has been increasing and rose from 9.3% in 2008 to 14.5% in 2020, although this is still lower than the Austrian average.
Historically, Carinthia has had a diverse linguistic and ethnic makeup. In the 16th century, the Estates of Carinthia recognised it as "a Windic Archduchy", indicating its roots as a sovereign Slovene principality. Over time, the German language gained prominence, and the Duchy of Carinthia became part of the Habsburg Kingdom of Illyria until its dissolution in 1849. In the 20th century, the fate of Carinthia was decided by a referendum, with the majority voting to remain in Austria rather than become part of Yugoslavia. This referendum shaped the demographic composition of Carinthia, resulting in a significant German-speaking population and a smaller Slovene-speaking minority.
Carinthia's population is governed by the Kärntner Landtag, or "Carinthian State Diet," which is a unicameral legislature. Austrian nationals over the age of 16 residing in Carinthia are eligible to vote in these elections. The legislature also elects a state government, which includes a minister-president or governor, known by the ancient title of "Landeshauptmann" or "State Captain."
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Politics
Carinthia, known as Kärnten in German, is a federal state in southern Austria. It is the country's fifth-largest state by area and its southernmost and least densely populated state. The main language is Austrian German, with Carinthian Slovene dialects—forms of a South Slavic language—now spoken by a small minority in the area.
Carinthia is a unicameral legislature with 36 members elected from party lists according to the principle of proportional representation. Austrian nationals over the age of 16 residing in Carinthia are eligible to vote. The most recent election, the 2023 Carinthian state election, was held on 5 March 2023. The SPÖ, the party of the incumbent governor Peter Kaiser, won a plurality of the vote at 38.9%, giving them a plurality of seats. This makes Carinthia one of only three regions of Austria not to have an ÖVP-led government, although the ÖVP is the junior coalition member in Kaiser's government.
Historically, Carinthia was the core of the Celtic kingdom of Noricum, which became a Roman province in 16 BCE. After the breakdown of Roman rule, it was invaded by Teutonic tribes, Avars, Slavs, and Bavarians. Attached to Bavaria in the 8th century, it was further colonized by the Bavarians, who gradually assimilated most of the Slav population. In 976, Carantania (Carinthia) became a duchy in its own right. In 1335, Carinthia passed to Austria and became a crown land.
In the 20th century, Carinthia made efforts to establish a tourist infrastructure, such as the Grossglockner High Alpine Road and Klagenfurt Airport. However, it was hit hard by the Great Depression, which pushed Austrian politics towards extremism. This culminated in the years of Austrofascism and, in 1938, the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. During World War II, Slovene Partisan resistance was active in the southern areas of the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Carinthia is a province in the south of Austria. It is bordered by Bundeslander Salzburg, Steiermark (Styria), Slovenia, Italy, and East Tirol.
Carinthia is known as the province of lakes and mountains. It has over 200 bathing lakes with drinking water quality and is surrounded by mountain ranges, including the Carnic Alps and the Karawanks.
Carinthia offers countless hiking and cycling trails through the Alps, including the Hohe Tauern and the Großglockner. It is also home to the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve and the historic cities of Klagenfurt and Villach.
Carinthia has a humid continental climate, with hot and moderately wet summers and long, harsh winters. However, it has the highest number of sunshine hours out of all the states in Austria.
