Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with a rich history and culture. It is bordered by eight other countries, contributing to its unique character and identity. The Austrian landscape is characterised by the majestic Austrian Alps, which form the backbone of the country, and its many lakes and rivers. The country has a strong musical heritage, with Vienna, its capital, being a former seat of the Holy Roman Empire. Austria has a high standard of living, with a strong economy and a diverse population, welcoming refugees and immigrants, making it a socially progressive nation.
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What You'll Learn
Austria's unique geography
The Austrian Alps can be subdivided into northern and southern limestone ranges, composed of rugged mountains. These ranges are separated by a softer central range composed of crystalline rocks. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, rising to 12,460 feet in the west. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are particularly known for their high Alpine character, with stunning mountain landscapes.
The northeastern part of the country is characterised by the Danube River, which winds its way between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia. This area is furrowed by many valleys that have served as passageways to the east and southeast of Europe for centuries. The lowland area east of Vienna can be considered a western extension of the Little Hungarian Plain.
Austria is a land of lakes, with many of them formed during the Pleistocene Epoch by glacial erosion, leaving behind mountain lakes in the central Alpine district, such as those around Salzkammergut. The country's lakes are among the cleanest in Europe, making them ideal for swimming and boat cruises.
The geographic features of Austria, from its mountains to its lakes, contribute to its unique regional identities and cultural distinctions, making it a country rich in natural beauty and diverse landscapes.
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The country's history
Austria has a rich and varied history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Paleolithic period. Around 400 BC, the area was inhabited by the Celts, who were then conquered by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. The Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, which included most of modern Austria, became the Roman province of Noricum in 16 BC and lasted until 476. Christianization in the region began in the 4th and 5th centuries, during the late Roman period, followed by the arrival of numerous Germanic tribes during the Migration Period.
In the Middle Ages, the area that is now Austria was settled by various Celtic tribes 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 first record of the name "Austria" is from 996, where it is written as "Ostarrîchi," referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. In 976, Austria was created as a prefecture of Bavaria, and in 1156, it was elevated to the status of a duchy.
From the 14th century until World War I, Austria's history was largely defined by the ruling Habsburg dynasty, who began to accumulate other provinces in the vicinity of the Duchy of Austria. In the 16th century, the Habsburgs became the leading imperial house of the Holy Roman Empire, and their empire eventually included present-day Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as parts of Poland, Romania, and Italy.
After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, Austria experienced social and economic turbulence, as well as a Nazi dictatorship. However, the establishment of permanent neutrality in 1955 and the withdrawal of Allied troops enabled the country to develop into a stable and socially progressive nation. Austria joined the United Nations in 1955 and became a member of the European Union in 1995.
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Austrian culture and values
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, with a rich history and culture. The country is divided into nine states or 'Bundesländer' (single lands or provinces), each with its own unique culture and identity. The capital, Vienna, is the most populous city and state, with a strong sense of regional identity and pride.
Austria's landscape is characterised by its mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the backbone of the country. The country has numerous lakes, many of which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch, and its rivers are among the cleanest in Europe. The country's natural beauty, including its impressive mountain landscapes, historic cities, and first-class ski resorts, makes it a popular holiday destination.
Austria's culture and values are shaped by its history and geography. The country was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which also included present-day Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and parts of Poland, Romania, and Italy. This shared history has influenced Austrian culture, with contributions from each of these neighbouring countries. Additionally, historical events such as the Habsburg Empire, World War II, and the influence of the Catholic Church have further shaped Austria's distinct culture.
Cooperation, formality, and "Gemütlichkeit" (warmth or happiness) are considered cornerstones of contemporary Austrian culture. Austrians value their regional identities and distinctions, while also feeling connected to a broader Austrian identity. The country is ethnically diverse, with notable minority groups, including Slovene, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian communities. Austria has a strong presence in Eastern Europe and is known for its close ties to Germany, both historically and economically.
Austria has a semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president as head of state and a chancellor as head of government. The country has a high standard of living and is committed to family reunification and welcoming refugees, resulting in a significant increase in immigration in recent decades.
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The economy and energy
Austria has the fifth-highest GDP per capita in the European Union, at €46,200, well above the EU average of €37,600. It accounts for 2.8% of the EU's total GDP. Austria also has the 13th highest nominal GDP per capita globally and high standards of living. The country is a member of the Economic and Currency Union, having adopted the euro as its currency in 1999.
Austria's economy has close ties to Germany for historical reasons. Generally, if the German economy thrives, so does Austria's, and if German GDP falls, Austria's tends to follow suit a few months later. Austria also has a strong presence in Eastern Europe, which provides opportunities and risks. Austria's economy is doing well in Eastern Europe due to historical reasons and a shared mentality with those countries.
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, with eight neighbouring countries. Its landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the backbone of the country. The country is divided into nine states, or 'single lands'/'provinces' ('Bundesländer'), each with its own distinct culture and, often, language and dialect. The capital, Vienna, is the most populous city and state. It is the only state that does not share a border with another European country. The country's central location in Europe has embedded it within a variety of political and economic systems.
Austria has no nuclear power plants, and a large portion of its energy is generated by hydropower. About one-third of Austrian energy consumption comes from renewable sources. The country is also known for its clean rivers and streams, which are among the cleanest in Europe.
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Austria's political system
Austria is a federal semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president as head of state and a chancellor as head of government and chief executive. The country is a federation of nine states, with Vienna as its capital and most populous city. 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 legislative tasks are carried out at the federal level by the National Assembly in conjunction with the Federal Council. The Federal Council represents the interests of the provinces in Parliament, and each federal province is administered by a Provincial Government, headed by a Provincial Governor.
Austria's legal system distinguishes between three instruments of direct democracy: referendums, popular initiatives, and national opinion polls. Substantial changes to the constitution always require a referendum, while changes to parts of the constitution only require a referendum if demanded by at least one-third of the National Council or the Federal Council. The country has a strong commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, as outlined in its Constitution and through its ratification of the Council of Europe's Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in 1958.
Austria's judiciary is independent of the executive and legislative branches of government. It has a four-level judicial system, with district courts, regional courts, Higher Regional Courts, and the Supreme Court as the final court of appeal. The police are an executive agency subject to the Republic of Austria, and they rarely use their weapons, according to statistics.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has the largest share of the Alps, with half of its population living in the mountains. The country is also home to numerous lakes, many of which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch.
Austrians are proud of their regional identities and feel connected to the broader 'Austrian' identity. The country has a high number of asylum seekers per capita and has been welcoming towards refugees.
Austria's history has been influenced by various events and institutions, including the Habsburg Empire, World War II, and the Catholic Church, which have shaped it differently from other Germanic countries.
Austria is one of the few countries where winter sports are more popular than football. The country is also known for its music and delicious cuisine, such as Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte.
