Austria:Austria:By; Sam PointonBy; Sam Pointon

History:History: Settled in prehistoric times.Settled in prehistoric times. Occupied in pre-Roman times by Occupied in pre-Roman times by

various Celtic tribes. various Celtic tribes. The first record showing the name The first record showing the name

Austria is from 996 AD.Austria is from 996 AD.

Political System:Political System: The Parliament of Austria is located in Vienna, the The Parliament of Austria is located in Vienna, the

nation's largest city and capital.nation's largest city and capital. Became a federal, parliamentarian, democratic Became a federal, parliamentarian, democratic

republic through the Federal Constitution of 1920.republic through the Federal Constitution of 1920. Reintroduced in 1945 to the nine states of the Reintroduced in 1945 to the nine states of the

Federal Republic.Federal Republic. The head of state is the Federal President, who is The head of state is the Federal President, who is

directly elected by popular vote.directly elected by popular vote. The government can be removed from office by The government can be removed from office by

either a presidential decree or by vote of no either a presidential decree or by vote of no confidence in the lower chamber of parliament, confidence in the lower chamber of parliament, the National rat the National rat

States:States:1: Burgenland

2: Carinthia

3: Lower Austria

4: Upper Austria

5: Salzburg

6: Styria

7: Tyrol

8: Vorarlberg

9: Vienna

Geography:Geography: Austria is a largely mountainous Austria is a largely mountainous

country due to its location in the country due to its location in the Alps. Alps.

The Central Eastern Alps, Northern The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps and Southern Limestone Alps and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria. Austria.

About a quarter of the country can About a quarter of the country can be considered low lying. be considered low lying.

Climate:Climate: The greater part of Austria lies in the The greater part of Austria lies in the

cool/temperate climate zone in which humid cool/temperate climate zone in which humid westerly winds predominate.westerly winds predominate.

With over half of the country dominated by the With over half of the country dominated by the Alps, the alpine climate is the predominant one. Alps, the alpine climate is the predominant one.

In the East, in the Pannonia Plain and along the In the East, in the Pannonia Plain and along the Danube valley, the climate shows continental Danube valley, the climate shows continental features with less rain than the alpine areas.features with less rain than the alpine areas.

Although Austria is cold in the winter, in the Although Austria is cold in the winter, in the summer temperatures can be relatively warm summer temperatures can be relatively warm reaching 20-35 degrees Celsius.reaching 20-35 degrees Celsius.

Economy:Economy: Austria is one of the 10 richest countries in Austria is one of the 10 richest countries in

the world in terms of GDP per capita.the world in terms of GDP per capita. It has a well-developed social market It has a well-developed social market

economy.economy. It has a very high standard of living. It has a very high standard of living. Labor movements are particularly strong Labor movements are particularly strong

in Austria and have large influence on in Austria and have large influence on labor politics.labor politics.

Next to a highly-developed industry, Next to a highly-developed industry, international tourism is the most important international tourism is the most important part of the national economy. part of the national economy.

Education:Education: Responsibility for educational oversight in Austria Responsibility for educational oversight in Austria

is entrusted partly to the Austrian states is entrusted partly to the Austrian states (Bundesländer), and partly to the federal (Bundesländer), and partly to the federal government.government.

Optional kindergarten education is provided for Optional kindergarten education is provided for all children between the ages of three and six all children between the ages of three and six years.years.

School attendance is compulsory for nine years, School attendance is compulsory for nine years, (usually to the age of fifteen).(usually to the age of fifteen).

The Program for International Student The Program for International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, currently Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, currently ranks Austria's education as the 18th best in the ranks Austria's education as the 18th best in the world. world.

Religion:Religion: At the end of the twentieth century, about 74% of Austria's At the end of the twentieth century, about 74% of Austria's

population were registered as Roman Catholic.population were registered as Roman Catholic.

About 5% considered themselves Protestants.About 5% considered themselves Protestants.

Both these numbers have been in decline for decades, especially Both these numbers have been in decline for decades, especially Roman Catholicism, which has suffered an increasing number of Roman Catholicism, which has suffered an increasing number of seceders from the church.seceders from the church.

Austrian Catholics are obliged to pay a mandatory tax (calculated Austrian Catholics are obliged to pay a mandatory tax (calculated by income —about 1%) to the Austrian Roman Catholic Church.by income —about 1%) to the Austrian Roman Catholic Church.

About 12% of the population declare that they have no religion.About 12% of the population declare that they have no religion.

Of the remaining people, around 340,000 are registered as Of the remaining people, around 340,000 are registered as members of various Muslim communities, mainly due to the influx members of various Muslim communities, mainly due to the influx from Turkey. from Turkey.

Music:Music: Austria has been the birthplace of many famous Austria has been the birthplace of many famous

composers such as;composers such as; Wolfgang Amadeus MozartWolfgang Amadeus Mozart Joseph HaydnJoseph Haydn Franz SchubertFranz Schubert Anton BrucknerAnton Bruckner Johann Strauss Sr.Johann Strauss Sr. Johann Strauss Jr.Johann Strauss Jr. Gustav MahlerGustav Mahler Arnold SchoenbergArnold Schoenberg Anton WebernAnton Webern Alban Berg. Alban Berg.

Cuisine (Food):Cuisine (Food): Austria's cuisine is derived from the cuisine of the Austria's cuisine is derived from the cuisine of the

Austro-Hungarian Empire.Austro-Hungarian Empire. It has been influenced above all by Hungarian, It has been influenced above all by Hungarian,

Czech, Jewish, Italian and Bavarian cuisines.Czech, Jewish, Italian and Bavarian cuisines. The Austrian Cuisine is therefore one of the most The Austrian Cuisine is therefore one of the most

multi and transcultural cuisines in Europe.multi and transcultural cuisines in Europe. Typical Austrian dishes include; Wiener Schnitzel, Typical Austrian dishes include; Wiener Schnitzel,

Kaisersch, marren, Knödel, Sachertorte and Kaisersch, marren, Knödel, Sachertorte and Tafelspitz.Tafelspitz.

The candy PEZ was invented in Austria. The candy PEZ was invented in Austria. Austria is also famous for its Apfelstrudel. Austria is also famous for its Apfelstrudel.

French Influence:French Influence: Over 30% of the Austrian population Over 30% of the Austrian population

speak French as a second language.speak French as a second language. Many French people live in Austria, Many French people live in Austria,

because their ancestors immigrated because their ancestors immigrated there during the rule of Louis XV.there during the rule of Louis XV.

Work Sited:Work Sited: Brook-Shepherd, Gordon (1997). Brook-Shepherd, Gordon (1997). The Austrians: A thousand-year The Austrians: A thousand-year

odysseyodyssey. Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc.; 19 West 21st Street; New . Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc.; 19 West 21st Street; New York, NY 10010. ISBN 0-7867-0520-5.York, NY 10010. ISBN 0-7867-0520-5.

CIA World Fact book—Austria. Retrieved on December 7, 2007.CIA World Fact book—Austria. Retrieved on December 7, 2007. Lonnie Johnson (1989). Lonnie Johnson (1989). Introducing Austria: A short historyIntroducing Austria: A short history. .

Ariadne Press, 270 Goins Court, Riverside, CA 92507. ISBN 0-Ariadne Press, 270 Goins Court, Riverside, CA 92507. ISBN 0-929497-03-1. 929497-03-1.

Jelavich, Barbara (1987). Jelavich, Barbara (1987). Modern AustriaModern Austria. Cambridge University . Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-31625-1. Press. ISBN 0-521-31625-1.

Schulze, Hagen (1994). Schulze, Hagen (1994). States, Nations and NationalismStates, Nations and Nationalism. Blackwell . Blackwell Publishers Inc, 350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148, Publishers Inc, 350 Main Street, Malden, Massachusetts 02148, USA.USA.

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