HumptyDumpty: Creating Draft:Austria

2026-09-23T18:10:12Z

Creating Draft:Austria

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{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Austria
| common_name = Austria
| native_name = Republik Österreich
| image_flag = Flag of Austria.svg
| image_coat = Coat of arms of Austria.svg
| symbol_type = Coat of arms
| national_anthem = ''Land der Berge''
| capital = [[Vienna]]
| largest_city = capital
| official_languages = [[German language|German]]
| demonym = Austrian
| government_type = [[Federal republic|Federal]] [[parliamentary republic]]
| leader_title1 = [[President of Austria|President]]
| leader_name1 = [[Alexander Van der Bellen]]
| leader_title2 = [[Chancellor of Austria|Chancellor]]
| leader_name2 = [[Christian Stocker]]
| legislature = [[Austrian Parliament]]
| upper_house = [[Federal Council (Austria)|Federal Council]]
| lower_house = [[National Council (Austria)|National Council]]
| established_event1 = Republic proclaimed
| established_date1 = 12 November 1918
| established_event2 = State Treaty entered into force
| established_date2 = 27 July 1955
| area_km2 = 83,870.95
| population_estimate = 9,215,956
| population_estimate_year = 1 January 2026
| population_density_km2 = 109.9
| GDP_nominal = US$579.47 billion
| GDP_nominal_year = 2025
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = US$62,930
| currency = [[Euro]] (€)
| currency_code = EUR
| time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset = +1
| time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| drives_on = right
| calling_code = +43
| cctld = [[.at]]
| website = [https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/ oesterreich.gv.at]
}}

'''Austria''', officially the '''Republic of Austria''' (German: ''Republik Österreich''), is a landlocked country in [[Central Europe]]. It borders [[Germany]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[Slovakia]], [[Hungary]], [[Slovenia]], [[Italy]], [[Switzerland]] and [[Liechtenstein]]. Its capital and largest city is [[Vienna]]. Austria covers 83,870.95 square kilometres, and about 60% of its territory is mountainous and forms part of the Eastern Alps.<ref name="geography">[https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oev-wien/about-austria/geography ''Geography''], Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref> Austria had 9,215,956 inhabitants on 1 January 2026 according to final figures from Statistics Austria.<ref name="population">[https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/population-and-society/population/population-stock/population-at-beginning-of-year/quarter ''Population at beginning of year/quarter''], Statistics Austria. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Austria is a federal parliamentary republic consisting of nine federal provinces, known as ''Bundesländer''. Legislative and executive responsibilities are divided between federal and provincial institutions.<ref name="federalstate">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/en/explore/political-system/the-federal-state-of-austria ''The Federal State of Austria''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref> The [[President of Austria|Federal President]] is the head of state, while the [[Chancellor of Austria|Federal Chancellor]] leads the federal government. As of September 2026, the president is [[Alexander Van der Bellen]] and the chancellor is [[Christian Stocker]].<ref name="president">[https://www.bundespraesident.at/en/index ''Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen''], Office of the Federal President. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref><ref name="chancellor">[https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/bundeskanzler-christian-stocker.html ''Bundeskanzler Christian Stocker''], Austrian Federal Chancellery. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

The modern Austrian state developed from lands long associated with the [[Habsburg monarchy]]. Following the collapse of [[Austria-Hungary]] at the end of [[World War I]], a republic was proclaimed in November 1918. Parliamentary democracy was dismantled in 1933, and Austria was incorporated into [[Nazi Germany]] in 1938. An independent republic was re-established after [[World War II]], and Austria regained full sovereignty through the Austrian State Treaty in 1955. The country adopted permanent neutrality later that year.<ref name="history">[https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oev-wien/about-austria/history ''History''], Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref><ref name="treaty">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/verstehen/historisches/1945-1995/staatsvertrag ''1955 – Staatsvertrag und Neutralität''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref> Austria joined the [[European Union]] in 1995, became part of the [[Schengen Area]] in 1997 and has participated in the euro area since 1999.<ref name="eu">[https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/eu-countries/austria_en ''Austria – EU country''], European Union. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

== Name ==

The historical name from which the German name ''Österreich'' developed appears in a document from 996 in the form ''Ostarrichi''. The term referred to territory in what later became Austria. The Babenberg dynasty had ruled the area from 976, before the Habsburgs acquired the Duchy of Austria in the late 13th century.<ref name="history" />

The English name ''Austria'' developed through Latin forms of the country's name, while ''Österreich'' remains its German name.

== History ==

=== Early history and Habsburg rule ===

Parts of present-day Austria were inhabited in antiquity by Celtic communities. The Celtic kingdom of [[Noricum]] was largely incorporated into the [[Roman Empire]] around 15 BC. Roman settlements included ''Vindobona'', which developed on the site of modern Vienna.<ref name="history" />

From 976, the Babenberg dynasty ruled a territory that became increasingly associated with Austria. The first known written appearance of ''Ostarrichi'' dates to 996. The Babenberg line ended in the 13th century, and the Habsburg dynasty gained the Duchy of Austria in 1282.<ref name="history" />

The Habsburgs gradually assembled a large collection of territories across Central Europe. Their Austrian branch acquired the crowns of Bohemia and Hungary and played a central role in European politics for several centuries. During the 18th century, [[Maria Theresa]] and [[Joseph II]] introduced reforms affecting state administration, education, religion and the legal status of rural populations.<ref name="history" />

Following the defeat of [[Napoleon]], Vienna hosted the [[Congress of Vienna]] in 1814 and 1815, which reorganized much of the European political order. In 1867 the [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian Monarchy]] was established as a dual monarchy under Emperor [[Franz Joseph I]].<ref name="history" />

=== First World War and First Republic ===

The assassination of Archduke [[Franz Ferdinand]] in Sarajevo in June 1914 contributed directly to the crisis that led to the outbreak of World War I. Austria-Hungary fought as one of the Central Powers and disintegrated near the end of the war in 1918.<ref name="history" />

On 12 November 1918, the Provisional National Assembly proclaimed a republic in the German-speaking territories of the former monarchy.<ref name="republic1918">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/verstehen/historisches/1918-1945/ausrufung-republik ''12. November 1918: Die Ausrufung der Republik''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref> The Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919 confirmed the country's separate statehood, and the name ''Republic of Austria'' was formally adopted.<ref name="birthrepublic">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/verstehen/historisches/1918-1945/geburt-der-republik ''Die Geburt der Republik''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

The new republic introduced universal suffrage without distinction by sex and developed a parliamentary political system.<ref name="firstrepublic">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/verstehen/historisches/1918-1945 ''1918 bis 1945''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref> Economic difficulties and increasingly severe political conflict affected the First Republic. In March 1933, Chancellor [[Engelbert Dollfuss]] used a parliamentary procedural crisis to prevent the National Council from functioning. An authoritarian system subsequently replaced parliamentary democracy.<ref name="firstrepublic" />

=== Nazi rule and Second World War ===

In March 1938, German forces entered Austria and the country was incorporated into Nazi Germany in the event commonly known as the ''Anschluss''. Austria ceased to exist as an independent state during Nazi rule.<ref name="democracyend">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/verstehen/historisches/1918-1945/ende-der-demokratie ''Das Ende der Demokratie''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

The Nazi regime persecuted Austrian Jews, Roma and Sinti, disabled people, political opponents, religious opponents and other targeted groups. Austrian citizens were among both the victims of Nazi persecution and those who participated in or supported Nazi institutions and crimes.<ref name="firstrepublic" />

=== Second Republic ===

Following the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, Austria was re-established as an independent republic but was occupied by the Allied powers. Democratic institutions were restored and parliamentary elections resumed.<ref name="history" />

The Austrian State Treaty was signed in Vienna on 15 May 1955. It entered into force on 27 July 1955 and restored Austria's full sovereignty. The final occupation forces subsequently withdrew.<ref name="treaty" /> On 26 October 1955, the National Council adopted a constitutional law declaring Austria's permanent neutrality and committing the country not to join military alliances or permit foreign military bases on its territory.<ref name="treaty" />

Austria became a member of the [[United Nations]] in December 1955 and joined the [[Council of Europe]] in 1956. It became a member of the European Free Trade Association in 1960 and developed progressively closer economic relations with the European Communities.<ref name="history" />

Austria joined the European Union on 1 January 1995. It entered the Schengen Area on 1 December 1997 and became one of the original participants in the euro area on 1 January 1999.<ref name="eu" />

== Geography ==

Austria is located in Central Europe and has no coastline. Its eight neighbouring countries are Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.<ref name="geography" />

The country has an area of 83,870.95 square kilometres. Approximately 60% of the territory is mountainous and belongs to the [[Eastern Alps]]. Austria's highest mountain is the [[Grossglockner]], which reaches 3,798 metres above sea level.<ref name="geography" />

The western and central regions contain extensive Alpine mountain systems and valleys. North of the [[Danube]] in Upper and Lower Austria lies part of the Bohemian Massif. Lower and more densely populated landscapes include the Alpine Foreland, the Vienna Basin and the Graz Basin.<ref name="geography" />

The Danube is Austria's most important major river. About 350 kilometres of its total 2,848-kilometre course lie within Austria. [[Lake Constance]], which Austria shares with Germany and Switzerland, is the largest lake associated with the country, although only part of its shoreline belongs to Austria.<ref name="geography" />

=== Climate ===

Austria lies between oceanic and continental climatic influences. Western and northern areas are more strongly influenced by humid westerly weather systems, while the northeast and east have more continental conditions, including generally warmer summers and colder winters.<ref name="geography" />

Elevation causes substantial local variation. Alpine areas experience lower temperatures, heavier snowfall and shorter growing seasons than lowland areas. The eastern lowlands around Vienna and Burgenland are generally warmer and drier than the high Alpine west.

== Government and politics ==

Austria is a [[Federalism|federal]] parliamentary republic. Its constitution divides authority among federal institutions and the nine federal provinces. The political system also separates legislative, executive and judicial powers.<ref name="politicalsystem">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/en/explore/political-system ''Political System''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

The Federal President serves as head of state. The Federal Government consists of the Federal Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and federal ministers. The government is appointed by the Federal President but remains politically accountable to the National Council, which can withdraw confidence from the government or individual ministers.<ref name="government">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/en/explore/political-system/the-government ''The Government''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

The [[Austrian Parliament]] has two chambers. The [[National Council (Austria)|National Council]] has 183 members elected for five-year legislative periods and is the directly elected chamber.<ref name="nationalcouncil">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/en/explore/members-and-entities/the-national-council ''The National Council''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref> The [[Federal Council (Austria)|Federal Council]] represents the provinces. Its members are delegated by the provincial legislatures, and its total membership may change in response to population changes; it had 60 members in 2026.<ref name="federalcouncil">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/en/explore/members-and-entities/the-federal-council/index.html ''The Federal Council''], Austrian Parliament. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

In the National Council election of 29 September 2024, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) received 28.85% of votes, the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) 26.27%, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) 21.14%, NEOS 9.14% and the Greens 8.24%. Voter turnout was 77.7%.<ref name="election2024">[https://www.parlament.gv.at/aktuelles/news/Wahl-2024-Endergebnis-liegt-vor ''Wahl 2024: Endergebnis liegt vor''], Austrian Parliament, 4 October 2024. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Christian Stocker was sworn in as Federal Chancellor on 3 March 2025. His government was formed by the ÖVP, SPÖ and NEOS, with SPÖ politician Andreas Babler serving as Vice Chancellor.<ref name="government2025">[https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/geschichte/regierungen-seit-1945 ''Regierungen seit 1945''], Austrian Federal Chancellery. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

== Administrative divisions ==

Austria consists of nine federal provinces (''Bundesländer''). Each province has its own legislature and government, while powers are distributed between provincial and federal authorities under the constitution.<ref name="federalstate" />

{| class="wikitable"
! Federal province
! Capital
|-
| [[Burgenland]]
| [[Eisenstadt]]
|-
| [[Carinthia]]
| [[Klagenfurt]]
|-
| [[Lower Austria]]
| [[St. Pölten]]
|-
| [[Upper Austria]]
| [[Linz]]
|-
| [[Salzburg (state)|Salzburg]]
| [[Salzburg]]
|-
| [[Styria]]
| [[Graz]]
|-
| [[Tyrol]]
| [[Innsbruck]]
|-
| [[Vorarlberg]]
| [[Bregenz]]
|-
| [[Vienna]]
| Vienna
|}

Vienna is both a city and one of the nine federal provinces. It is also the seat of Austria's principal federal institutions.

== Foreign relations and neutrality ==

Austria's international position has been shaped by its constitutional policy of permanent neutrality since 1955. The neutrality law commits Austria to maintaining its neutrality, avoiding membership in military alliances and not allowing foreign military bases on Austrian territory.<ref name="treaty" />

Austria joined the United Nations in December 1955 and the Council of Europe the following year.<ref name="history" /> Since 1995 it has been a member of the European Union. It is also part of the Schengen Area and the euro area.<ref name="eu" />

Vienna is an important international diplomatic centre and hosts a range of international organizations and diplomatic missions.

== Economy ==

Austria has a high-income economy with a substantial industrial base, a large services sector and close integration into European production and trade networks. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has described the country as having high per-capita income, established institutions, a significant manufacturing base and deep integration into European Union industrial value chains.<ref name="oecd2026">[https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-economic-surveys-austria-2026_7cea027b-en/full-report/executive-summary_c9dca28f.html ''Executive summary: OECD Economic Surveys: Austria 2026''], OECD, 2026. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

According to the [[World Bank]], Austria's gross domestic product at current prices was approximately US$579.47 billion in 2025, equivalent to about US$62,930 per person. Real GDP grew by 0.6% in 2025.<ref name="worldbank">[https://data.worldbank.org/country/AT ''Austria – Data''], World Bank. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref> The economy had experienced a two-year downturn before returning to growth in 2025, with the OECD reporting a continuing recovery in 2026.<ref name="oecd2026" />

Manufacturing remains important, including machinery, vehicles, chemicals and other processed and manufactured products. Services account for a large share of economic activity, while Austria's location and EU membership connect its businesses closely with neighbouring European markets.<ref name="oecd2026" />

=== Tourism ===

Tourism is an important part of the Austrian economy and is distributed between major cities, cultural destinations, lakes and Alpine regions. Statistics Austria recorded 48.17 million arrivals at accommodation establishments in 2025 and 157.29 million overnight stays. The average recorded stay was 3.3 nights.<ref name="tourism">[https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/tourism-and-transport/tourism/accommodation/arrivals-overnight-stays ''Arrivals & overnight stays''], Statistics Austria. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Vienna, Salzburg and historic towns are major cultural destinations, while Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg, Carinthia and other Alpine areas attract visitors for skiing, hiking and mountain tourism.

== Transport ==

Austria's location between western, central, northern and southeastern Europe makes it an important transport corridor. Road and rail routes cross the Alps through valleys, passes and tunnels and connect Austria with its eight neighbouring countries.

Rail transport is extensive. ÖBB-Infrastruktur, the infrastructure division of the Austrian Federal Railways, operates about 5,000 kilometres of railway lines and around 1,000 stations. It reports approximately 7,000 train movements on its network each day.<ref name="rail">[https://infrastruktur.oebb.at/en/partners/rail-network/rail-network-at-a-glance ''Rail network at a glance''], ÖBB-Infrastruktur. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Vienna is the country's principal international transport hub, while other important regional centres include Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt.

== Demographics ==

Austria had a final recorded population of 9,215,956 on 1 January 2026, an increase of 18,743 compared with the beginning of 2025.<ref name="population" /> Population growth in recent years has been strongly influenced by international migration.

On 1 January 2026, 1,881,309 residents, or 20.4% of the population, were foreign citizens. About 2.11 million residents, or 22.9%, had been born outside Austria.<ref name="citizenship">[https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/population-and-society/population/population-stock/population-by-citizenship/country-of-birth ''Population by citizenship/country of birth''], Statistics Austria. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Vienna is by far the largest city and the country's main metropolitan centre. Other major cities include Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck and Klagenfurt.

=== Languages ===

[[German language|German]] is Austria's official language. Croatian, Slovenian and Hungarian also have official status in certain regions under provisions protecting minority-language communities.<ref name="language">[https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/de/lexicon/A/amtssprache ''Amtssprache''], Austrian Government Portal. Updated 1 January 2026. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Austrian varieties of German are used throughout most of the country, alongside regional dialects. Other languages are spoken by immigrant communities and multilingual households.

=== Religion ===

Austria has historically been predominantly Roman Catholic, although religious affiliation has become more diverse and the proportion of people without a religious affiliation has increased.

A Statistics Austria survey for 2021 estimated that 55.2% of the population was Roman Catholic, 8.3% Muslim, 4.9% Orthodox Christian and 3.8% Protestant. About 22.4% reported no affiliation with a religion, denomination or religious community. Statistics Austria notes that the 2021 figures were derived from a voluntary sample survey rather than a traditional population census.<ref name="religion">[https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/population-and-society/population/further-population-statistics/religious-denomination ''Religious denomination''], Statistics Austria. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

=== Education ===

Compulsory school education applies to children who are long-term residents of Austria regardless of citizenship. It generally begins on 1 September following a child's sixth birthday and lasts for nine school years.<ref name="education">[https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/en/themen/bildung_und_ausbildung/schulen/Seite.110002 ''Compulsory school education''], Austrian Government Portal, updated 16 July 2026. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Primary education normally covers the first four school years. Students then enter middle school or the lower level of an academic secondary school. The ninth compulsory year can be completed through several general or vocational educational routes.<ref name="education" />

Austria also has a system of universities, universities of applied sciences and other higher-education institutions, with Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz and other cities serving as important academic centres.

== Culture ==

Austria's culture reflects its Central European location, the history of the Habsburg lands and regional traditions that developed across the Alpine and Danube regions.

Music has been especially important to Austria's international cultural identity. Vienna became a major centre for European classical music during the Habsburg period. Composers associated with Austria and Vienna include [[Joseph Haydn]], [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]], [[Franz Schubert]], [[Johann Strauss II]] and many others. Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756 and moved to Vienna at the age of 25, spending the last decade of his life there.<ref name="mozart">[https://www.austria.info/en-us/recommendations/discover-austria/mozarthaus-house-of-music/ ''Mozart Highlights in Vienna''], Austrian National Tourist Office. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Austria contains a large number of historic urban centres, palaces, monasteries, archaeological sites and cultural landscapes. As of 2026, 12 properties in Austria were inscribed on the [[UNESCO World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage List]], comprising 11 cultural properties and one natural property. They include the historic centres of Vienna and Salzburg, the Palace and Gardens of Schönbrunn, the Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut cultural landscape, the Wachau cultural landscape and the Semmering Railway.<ref name="unesco">[https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/at ''Austria''], UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

Cultural institutions and events are concentrated particularly in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Linz and other regional centres, while local traditions remain prominent in rural and Alpine communities.

=== National symbols ===

The Austrian national flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of red, white and red. The colours have a long association with Austria and are legally defined as the colours of the Republic.

Austria's national anthem is ''Land der Berge''. The anthem was introduced after the Second World War and has been regulated by federal law.<ref name="anthem">[https://www.bundeskanzleramt.gv.at/bundeskanzleramt/geschichte/bundeshymne.html ''Bundeshymne''], Austrian Federal Chancellery. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

== Sport ==

Austria's Alpine geography has contributed to the importance of winter sports, including alpine skiing, ski jumping, snowboarding and luge. Hiking, cycling, football and other sports are also widely practised.

[[Innsbruck]] hosted the [[Winter Olympic Games]] twice, in 1964 and 1976. It later hosted the Winter Paralympics in 1984 and 1988 and the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2012.<ref name="innsbruck">[https://www.innsbruck.gv.at/en/freizeit/sport/olympiastadt-innsbruck ''Olympic city of Innsbruck''], City of Innsbruck. Accessed 23 September 2026.</ref>

== See also ==

* [[History of Austria]]
* [[Geography of Austria]]
* [[States of Austria]]
* [[Vienna]]
* [[Culture of Austria]]
* [[Economy of Austria]]
* [[European Union]]
* [[Central Europe]]

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* [https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/ Official Austrian government portal]
* [https://www.statistik.at/en/ Statistics Austria]
* [https://www.bmeia.gv.at/en/ Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs]
* [https://www.parlament.gv.at/en/ Austrian Parliament]
* [https://www.austria.info/ Austrian National Tourist Office]

[[Category:Austria]]
[[Category:Countries in Europe]]
[[Category:Central European countries]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
[[Category:Federal republics]]
[[Category:Member states of the European Union]]
[[Category:Member states of the United Nations]]
[[Category:German-speaking countries and territories]]

Austria - Revision history

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HumptyDumpty: Creating Draft:Austria

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