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Austria has played a significant role in Europe's history and culture, from its ancient settlements to its modern contributions to the arts, sciences, and politics. Located in the heart of Europe, Austria has served as a bridge-builder, a meeting place, and a hub for cultural exchange. The country boasts a rich history, stunning landscapes, and a vibrant cultural life, with Vienna, its historic capital, renowned for its architecture and musical heritage. Austria's geographic position along the Danubian trade route and the Alpine passes has embedded it within diverse political and economic systems, shaping its destiny and influence on the world stage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geographic position | Austria is at the center of European traffic between east and west along the Danubian trade route and between north and south through the Alpine passes. |
| Political system | Federal state with two legislative houses. |
| Head of state | The Austrian president. |
| Head of government | The chancellor. |
| Cultural contribution | Music, art, sports, strong coffee, healthy lifestyles. |
| Capital | Vienna, the former seat of the Holy Roman Empire. |
| Languages | High German, Turkish, Serbian, Slovene, Croatian, and Hungarian. |
| Population | 8.9 million. |
| Area | 360 miles (580 km) from east to west. |
| Climate | Oceanic (Cfb), Cool/Warm-summer humid continental (Dfb), Subarctic/Subalpine (Dfc), Tundra/Alpine (ET), and Ice-Cap (EF). |
| Environmental policies | Austria has strict national legislation and has adopted additional provisions within the European Union for landscape conservation. |
| Defence expenditures | 0.8% of its GDP (as of 2012). |
| Number of soldiers | 26,000 (as of 2012). |
| Number of conscripts | 12,000 (as of 2012). |
| International relations | Austria is a member of the European Union and has participated in NATO's Partnership for Peace. |
| Headquarters of international organizations | Vienna hosts the IAEA, UNIDO, CTBTO, UNODC, UNCOPUOS, the Secretariat of the Permanent Council of the OSCE, OPEC, and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. |
| Historical significance | The area that is now Austria was settled in pre-Roman times by various Celtic tribes and was later conquered by the Roman Empire. It became an independent republic after World War I. |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's geographic position
The Austrian landscape is characterised by its mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the country's physical backbone. The Alps not only provide stunning scenery but also contribute to Austria's unique climate and environmental considerations. The Alpine region experiences a subarctic and tundra climate, which is notably warmer in winter due to the Oceanic influence on this part of Europe. Recognising the importance of their natural environment, Austrians highly value and work hard to preserve their country's beautiful landscape.
The Danube River, one of Europe's most important waterways, flows through Austria, further enhancing the country's geographic significance. The river winds its way between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in the northeastern part of the country. Historically, the Danube served as a vital trade route, connecting different regions and facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas. Today, it remains an important transportation artery, providing a means of transport and trade for the countries along its banks.
In addition to its natural features, Austria's geographic position has had political and economic implications. As the heart of the multinational empire of Austria-Hungary until 1918, the country experienced social and economic turbulence following the empire's collapse. The subsequent establishment of permanent neutrality in 1955, along with the withdrawal of Allied troops, allowed Austria to develop into a stable and socially progressive nation. This neutrality has been a defining feature of Austria's foreign policy, although it has been reassessed since the fall of the Soviet Union, with the country joining the European Union in 1995 and participating in NATO's Partnership for Peace.
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The country's political system
Austria's political system is a federal state with two legislative houses: the Federal Council and the National Council. The head of state is the president, and the head of government is the chancellor. The Austrian president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, while the minister of defence exercises command over them.
Austria's political system is based on the constitution of 1920 and 1929, which was reintroduced in 1945. The 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 groups with mandatory memberships, such as those for workers, business people, and farmers, are usually consulted in the legislative process and hold considerable importance.
Austria has been a member of the European Union (EU) since 1995, and it has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 1998, 2006, and 2018. As part of the EU, Austria's representatives attend Council meetings several times a year to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. Austria also has 12 representatives on the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions, ensuring that proposed laws consider the perspective of each region of the EU.
Austria has contributed to international efforts for a climate-sensitive energy policy and has adopted additional provisions within the European Union for landscape conservation. Notably, Austria decided to remain a non-nuclear country and signed the UN's Nuclear Weapon Ban Treaty. Vienna, the capital of Austria, is an important international hub, hosting organisations such as the IAEA, UNIDO, CTBTO, and several members of the UN family.
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Austrian culture and history
Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in south-central Europe with a population of around 9,240,000. The country's capital, Vienna, is renowned for its architecture and was once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the country's physical backbone. The country's geographic position has also played a significant role in its prominence, as it lies at the centre of European trade and travel routes between east and west, and north and south.
Austria has a rich and tumultuous history, first inhabited by the Celts and then conquered by the Romans in 16 BC. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the region was occupied by the Bavarians and Slavs, and later, in the 8th century, by Charles the Great. The House of Babenberg took power shortly after Charles the Great's death, and their rule extended until the 13th century when the Habsburgs, Austria's most famous ruling house, came into power. The long period of Habsburg rule, which lasted until the end of World War I in 1918, greatly influenced Austrian culture and arts, with the Habsburg rulers being great patrons of the arts. This patronage helped foster a rich heritage of music and art in Austria, and famous composers such as Joseph Hayden, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Johann Strauss all hailed from the country.
Austria's history has also been marked by war, particularly under threats from the Ottoman Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, and later, nationalist sentiment within the kingdom contributed to the outbreak of World War I. The postwar period saw Austria become an independent republic, although it was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938 and joined the Axis powers in World War II. After World War II, Austria regained its independence and established permanent neutrality in 1955. The country has since become a stable and socially progressive nation, with a thriving cultural life and a strong commitment to international organisations and peace-keeping efforts.
Austrian culture is known for its love of nature and music, and the country has produced several famous musicians and composers. Traditional methods and customs are highly valued, and this is reflected in the country's architecture, which showcases a range of styles, including Romanesque and Gothic. The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is a testament to the country's long partnership with horses, which stems from its lengthy military history. Additionally, Austria's diverse range of neighbouring countries has exposed its people to a variety of cultures, religions, and languages, and most Austrians are multilingual despite German being the official language.
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Austria's environmental policies
Austria's geographic position at the heart of Europe has embedded the country within a variety of political and economic systems. Austria has been recognised by the OECD as one of the leading countries in Europe in the field of environmental policy.
Austria's system of agriculture has been geared towards high-quality and healthy products through Europe's most exacting agri-environmental programme. Austrian farmers have thus become pioneers in the country's ecological orientation. The guiding principle of the socio-ecological agricultural policy has initiated the conservation of an economically sound and well-functioning farm-based system of agriculture and forestry in an intact rural area. Agriculture is an important vector for Austria's ecologisation.
Austria's forestry policy pursues the principle of semi-natural forest management. The "Pan-European Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management", which were adopted at the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, are used to assess the state and the development of sustainable forestry in Austria. Forest resources, their health and vitality, productive functions, and biodiversity are all considered in Austria's forestry policy.
Austria is also a member of the EU, which has an EU budget that helps fund programmes and projects to protect the environment. The EU's 8th Environment Action Programme supports the environment and climate action objectives of the European Green Deal. The Eco-Innovation Action Plan measures the environmental innovation performance of EU Member States, with Austria ranking highly.
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The Austrian economy
Austria has one of the strongest economies in the Eurozone, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $431 billion in 2018, representing a year-on-year real growth of 2.7%, significantly better than the European Union (EU) average of 1.9%. This growth reflects a stable and sustainable economy, with Austria achieving growth rates above the EU average for several years. The country ranks fifth in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita with €46,200, well above the EU average of €37,600.
Austria's economy is dominated by the service sector, which generates the vast majority of the country's GDP and constitutes approximately 70% of the gross value added (GVA). Vienna has become a hub for finance and consulting, establishing itself as a gateway to Central and Eastern Europe. Law firms and banks in the city are among the leading corporations in business with the new EU member states. The service sector includes sales, hotel and restaurant services, as well as health and education. Tourism is a vital part of the Austrian economy, contributing around 10% of the country's GDP. The country's ski resorts, such as Arlberg and Kitzbühel, attract visitors from Eastern Europe, Russia and the US.
The industrial and commercial sectors in Austria are characterised by a high number of medium-sized companies, covering every branch of manufacturing, from basic goods to labour-intensive production of highly processed products. The construction of plants and systems is an increasingly important share of the economy, as is the electronics sector. Austria is also known for its arts and crafts, including handcrafted items, customised jewellery, ceramics and glassware.
Austria's economy has undergone significant changes since the 1960s, with a shift from the primary and secondary sectors to the tertiary sector. In the 1960s, agriculture and forestry represented 11% of Austrian GVA, while the production sector was larger than the service sector. Today, the primary sector, including agriculture and forestry, makes up only 1.2% of Austrian GVA, and only one in thirty Austrians are employed in this sector. The secondary sector, including manufacturing, energy production and supply, and construction, represents 28% of GVA.
Austria's economic importance is also reflected in its role as a vital transit country between the economic areas of Europe, particularly for energy supplies such as petroleum, natural gas and electricity. The country has become an international meeting point, hosting numerous summits and conferences. Additionally, Austria's trade with other EU countries accounts for almost 66% of its imports and exports, and the country has significant investments in the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is important geopolitically because it is at the centre of European traffic between east and west along the great Danubian trade route and between north and south through the Alpine passes. It is bordered by eight countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany. Austria is also a member of the European Union and has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 1998, 2006, and 2018.
Austria has a rich history that dates back more than 5,000 years. It was settled by various Celtic tribes in pre-Roman times and was the core of the Hallstatt culture by the 6th century BC. The city of Hallstatt has the oldest archaeological evidence of the Celts in Europe. The area that is now Austria was later conquered by the Roman Empire and became the province of Noricum. After the fall of Rome in the 5th century CE, Germanic tribes and the Slavs entered the region. Austria was also a central part of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Austria has a strong cultural heritage, particularly in the fields of music, art, philosophy, and psychoanalysis. It is known for its beautiful landscapes, including the Austrian Alps, and its historic cities like Vienna. Vienna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been an important centre for cultural exchange and international negotiations. Austria is also known for its strong coffee and its active lifestyle, with a focus on sports and outdoor activities.
Austria has a long tradition of neutrality and has been an active member of international organisations such as the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the United Nations. It is also a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace and contributes to peacekeeping missions and crisis management activities.
Austria has a strong economy and is an important part of the European Union's economic project. It has a federal structure with two legislative houses and a social market economy. Austria's capital, Vienna, is a major international centre and hosts the headquarters of several United Nations organisations and other international institutions.
