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Austria is a federal parliamentary republic and a member of the European Union, located at the heart of Europe. It is known for its majestic mountains, magnificent scenery, and Alpine landscape. Austria has a rich history, having been a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries until the fall of the Habsburg dynasty after World War I. The country is also known for its musical heritage, with composers like Mozart and the birth of the waltz dance. Vienna, its historic capital, is renowned for its architecture and was once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire. Austria has a thriving cultural life, with a diverse cuisine influenced by its neighbouring countries, and a strong coffee tradition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Geographic position | Center of European traffic between east and west along the Danubian trade route and between north and south through the Alpine passes |
| Political status | Federal parliamentary republic |
| Head of state | President |
| Head of government | Chancellor |
| Number of states | 9 |
| Number of chambers in federal Parliament | 2 |
| Name of chambers in federal Parliament | Lower House (Nationalrat) and Upper House (Bundesrat) |
| Number of seats in Nationalrat | 183 |
| Number of representatives in the European Parliament | 20 |
| Number of representatives on the European Committee of the Regions | 12 |
| GDP per capita | €46 200 |
| Cuisine | Wiener Schnitzel, Schweinsbraten, Kaiserschmarren, Knödel, Sachertorte, Tafelspitz, Kärntner Kasnudeln, Eierschwammerl, Mozartkugeln, coffee |
| Folk dances | Schuhplattler, Ländler, Polka, Waltz, Zwiefacher, Kontratänze, Sprachinseltänze |
| Art movement | Vienna Secession (Art Nouveau) |
| Film | The Sound of Music |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's geographic position
The country is characterised by its mountainous landscape, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps cover around 62% of Austria, with the Northern Calcareous Alps and the Southern Calcareous Alps running west to east through the country. The Central Alps, consisting largely of granite, are the largest and highest ranges in Austria. The highest mountain in the country is Großglockner, at 3,797 metres.
The Danube River, which flows through Austria, is another important geographic feature. It is the only major European river that flows eastwards, and its significance as an inland waterway has been enhanced by the construction of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal, which connects the Danube to the Rhine and Main rivers. The Danube winds between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in the northeastern part of the country.
Austria's geography also includes lowlands and hilly regions, particularly in the northeast and east, such as the Danube Basin, as well as the rolling hills of the Southeastern Alpine Foreland. The country is home to many lakes, including Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west and Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) in the east.
Austria's borders are shared with Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia to the south, and Italy to the southwest. The country's unique geographic position and diverse landscape have contributed to its popularity and cultural significance.
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Austrian cuisine
Austria is known for its variety of sweet treats and pastries. The Sachertorte is perhaps the most famous Austrian cake, consisting of chocolate and apricot jam, traditionally served with whipped cream. The Esterhazy Torte, a delicate layered cake, and the caramel-flavoured Dobostorte are also favourites, both originating from Hungary during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Linzer Torte, a shortcake pastry filled with redcurrant jam, is said to be the oldest cake in the world. The Prügeltorte is another unique Austrian cake, often served at weddings, christenings, and Christmas, with a distinctive hollow centre filled with cream. Punschkrapfen is a classical Austrian pastry, filled with cake crumbs, nougat chocolate, and apricot jam, then soaked in rum. The Tirolerkuchen is a hazelnut and chocolate coffee cake.
Austria is also famous for its coffee tradition. With over 8 kg per year, Austria has the sixth-highest per capita coffee consumption worldwide. The country is credited with introducing coffee to Europe after bags of coffee beans were left behind by the Turkish army following the Battle of Vienna in 1683. The Viennese café tradition became an integral part of the city's identity, with coffee served in a variety of styles. The Austrian Mokka or kleiner Schwarzer is similar to espresso but extracted more slowly.
Traditional Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, Schweinsbraten, Krautfleisch, and Tafelspitz. Krautspatzle is a dish of small noodles (spätzle) and cabbage. The most popular meats in Austria are beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and goose. Fledermaus, a cut of pork from the ham bone, is described as juicy and fatty, suitable for steaming, braising, or frying after tenderisation in a marinade. Austrian cuisine features a variety of sausages, such as Frankfurter, Käsekrainer, and Burenwurst.
Austria also has several regional specialties. In Lower Austria, local delicacies include Waldviertel poppies, Marchfeld asparagus, and Wachau apricots. The Bosna or Bosner, a spiced bratwurst in a hot dog roll, is a typical fast-food option. Zillertaler Krapfen, a speciality from the Zillertal Valley, features a savoury grey cheese filling in a crispy shell. In the Salzburg region, pretzels are widely available, from classic salted varieties to those filled with cheese or chocolate.
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Austrian culture
Austria is particularly known for its rich musical heritage, with a strong tradition of classical and folk music. Vienna, the capital, was a centre of European musical life in the 18th and 19th centuries, and the country has produced numerous renowned musicians and composers. The country's architectural landscape is equally impressive, boasting beautiful baroque buildings such as the Belvedere and Schönbrunn palaces, as well as stunning natural scenery, including the majestic Austrian Alps.
In terms of social norms, Austrians are known for their direct and honest communication style, with a focus on punctuality and orderliness. They value eye contact during conversations as a sign of respect and politeness. Austrians also prioritise creating a comfortable and cosy home environment and take pride in their appearance, often dressing well. Overall, Austria's culture reflects a blend of historical influences and modern diversity, with a strong emphasis on social connections, enjoyment of life, and appreciation of the country's natural beauty.
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Austrian history
Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries, until the fall of its Habsburg dynasty after World War One. The country was at the heart of the multinational empire of Austria-Hungary, which collapsed in 1918. Following this, the new republic was named "Deutschösterreich" (Republic of German-Austria) and it was declared that it was part of the German Republic. However, the 1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, imposed by the victorious Allies, forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.
In 1918, the German-speaking parts of Austria-Hungary were reduced to a rump state named the Republic of German-Austria, excluding the predominantly German-speaking South Tyrol. On 12 November, German-Austria was declared a republic with a provisional constitution, stating that it was a democratic republic and an integral part of the German reich.
Austria's strategic significance continued due to its geographical position at the heart of Europe. The country experienced social and economic turbulence in the decades following World War I, as well as a Nazi dictatorship. In 1938, Austria became part of Nazi Germany. After World War II, Austria declared independence from Germany on 27 April 1945, and Austrian national identity has been important ever since.
Austria became a stable and socially progressive nation after the war, with a flourishing cultural life. It established permanent neutrality in 1955, coinciding with the withdrawal of Allied troops. Vienna, the capital, is home to many international organisations, including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and OPEC. The country is now a federal parliamentary republic, consisting of 9 states, with a chancellor as the head of government and a president as the head of state.
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Austrian economy
Austria's economy is characterised by a shift from the primary and secondary sectors to the tertiary sector, i.e. from agriculture and production to services. The Austrian economy is dominated by the service or tertiary sector, constituting approximately 70% of the gross value added (GVA) as of 2020. The largest employers in the Austrian service sector work in sales, hotel and restaurant services, as well as health and education.
Austria's central location in Europe has embedded the country within a variety of political and economic systems. Germany has historically been the main trading partner of Austria, but since Austria became a member state of the European Union, it has gained closer ties to other European Union economies and reduced its economic dependence on Germany. Austria's membership in the EU has also drawn an influx of foreign investors, attracted by the country's access to the European Single Market and its proximity to aspiring EU economies. As a member of the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (EMU), Austria's economy is closely integrated with other EU member countries, especially Germany.
Austria is a mountainous country with one of the largest natural land reserves in Central Europe. Tourism is an essential pillar of the Austrian economy, with the country increasingly becoming an international meeting point for summits and conferences. The country is also a vital transit hub for European energy supplies, including petroleum, natural gas, and electricity.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the basis of the Austrian economy, making up 99.6% of all companies in the country. As of 2019, there were about 358,400 SMEs in Austria, employing over 2 million people. Many of these SMEs are highly specialised in their respective fields, with Austria ranked 10th in the world in terms of economic complexity. For example, in 2020, Austria was the world's largest exporter of handguns, railway maintenance vehicles, and unprocessed artificial staple fibres.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has been a major power in Central Europe for centuries. Its popularity can be attributed to its geographic position, its rich history, its cultural significance, and its economic prosperity.
Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries, until the fall of its Habsburg dynasty after World War One. It was the heart of the multinational empire of Austria-Hungary, which collapsed in 1918.
Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a chancellor who is the head of government and a president who is the head of state. The president is directly elected by popular vote, and the chancellor is selected by the president. Austria is a member of the European Union but not NATO, and it maintains a neutral status.
Austria has a rich cultural heritage that includes art, music, film, and dance. The Vienna Secession movement in the early 1900s, which included artists like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, is an example of Austria's artistic significance. The country also has a strong folk music and dance tradition, with dances like the Waltz and Schuhplattler. Additionally, Austria has a thriving film industry, with directors like Franz Antel and Michael Haneke.
Austria offers a range of tourist attractions, including its stunning natural landscapes, such as the Austrian Alps, and its historic cities like Vienna, the former seat of the Holy Roman Empire. The country is also known for its delicious cuisine, which has been influenced by neighbouring countries, and its coffee culture, with the sixth-highest per capita coffee consumption worldwide.
