Austria

Austria


‘From monarchy to modernism’

Austria, at the geographical heart of Europe, is renowned for its ski resorts set on spectacular mountains, overlooking crystal-clear lakes and voluptuously green valleys. Throughout the country are glorious architectural reminders of the once-powerful Hapsburgs, who dominated central Europe for seven centuries. Nowhere is the legacy more evident than in the capital, Vienna, with its ornate Opera House and the former imperial residence of the Hofburg. Austria’s other cities are similarly infused with a historical magic, notably Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, with stunning Baroque churches set before a backdrop of snow-covered peaks, and Innsbruck, in the centre of the Austrian Alps. But Austria is also a hothouse of striking contemporary architecture, reflecting a modern country at the forefront of engineering, invention and design, and whose modern, efficient social system ensures a high quality of living for most of its residents. Austria has a justifiable reputation for music, literature and the arts, but also boasts a gourmet culture. The legendary Gem?tlichkeit – a relaxed enjoyment of life – is in evidence in the cafes, where the art of coffee-drinking has been raised to a high art, and the many Heurigen, where the latest vintages are accompanied by vast quantities of food. Nightlife is versatile, offering laid-back taverns, beer gardens and excellent apr?s-ski, as well as trendy clubs and dance venues packed to the small hours.

Sylvia Huber


eneral Information

Location
Central Europe.

Time
GMT + 1.

Area
83,858 sq km (32,378 sq miles).

Population
8 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
97.4 per sq km.

Capital
Vienna (Wien). Population: 1.6 million (official estimate 1999).

Geography
Austria is a landlocked country, bordered by Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy. It is a mountainous country, nearly half of which is covered with forests. Austria’s nine Federal Provinces form a political entity, but reflect a diversity of landscapes falling into five sections: the Eastern Alps (62.8 per cent), the Alpine and Carpathian Foothills (11.3 per cent), the Pannonian Lowlands (11.3 per cent), the Vienna Basin (4.4 per cent) and the Granite and Gneiss Highlands or Bohemian Massif (10.1 per cent). Austria’s highest mountain is Grossglockner (3798m/12,465ft). On its way from the Black Forest in southern Germany to the Black Sea, the River Danube flows approximately 360km (220 miles) through Austria. The vegetation changes according to the climate: the lower regions are densely wooded, with fir predominating above 1600ft and giving way to larch and stone-pine beyond 4000ft; the Alpine foothills consist predominantly of arable land and grassland (above 2000ft). The Pannonian region is characterised by scrub and heathland.

Government
Federal Republic. Head of State: President Heinz Fischer since 2004. Head of Government: Chancellor Wolfgang Sch?ssel since 2000. Recent history: Haider - an extreme right-wing populist - and his party entered Government in January 2000. After a furious initial reaction abroad, which included diplomatic sanctions, the rest of the EU came to terms with the new Government. Against expectations, the Government survived until the autumn of 2002, before an internal Freiheitlichen feud between party leader Haider and Riess-Passer spilled over into the administration as a whole and brought it down. The election that followed saw the collapse of the Freiheitlichen vote to just 10 per cent – a third of its 1999 level – but Haider's Chancellor Sch?ssel, who held on to his post, was unable to negotiate an alliance with either of the other two main parties – the SP? and the Greens – and was obliged to form a second ‘black-and-blue’ alliance with the Freiheitlichen (after their party colours). In early 2003, the People's Party agreed to form a Government with the Freedom Party, who then proceeded to disband in 2003 when Haider set up the Alliance for Austria's Future. In April 2004, Heinz Fischer was elected President. Austria still succeeds in generating issues of right-wing contention: recent figures in late 2003 indicated that Austria had the most restrictive asylum laws in Europe. Austria is a federal Republic with bicameral legislature. The 183-member National Council is elected for four years; the 64 members of Federal Council do not have fixed terms. The President, elected for a six-year term, is Head of State. Executive power is held by the Chancellor, normally the leader of the largest party in Parliament, who leads a Cabinet of Ministers.

Language
German is the official language. Regional dialects are pronounced and within the different regions of the country one will encounter marked variations from Hochdeutsch, ie ‘standard’ German. There are Croatian and Slovene-speaking minorities in the Burgenland and southern Carinthia respectively.

Religion
78 per cent Roman Catholic, 5 per cent Protestant, 5 per cent Muslim, 12 per cent other religious sects.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin European plugs are standard.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS
Austrians tend to be quite formal in both their social and business dealings. They do not use first names when being introduced, but after the initial meeting first names are often used. Handshaking is normal when saying hello and goodbye. It is considered impolite to enter a restaurant or shop without saying Guten Tag or, more usually, Gr?ss Gott; similarly, to leave without saying Auf Wiedersehen can cause offence. Social pleasantries and some exchange of small-talk is appreciated. If invited out to dinner, flowers should be brought for the hostess. The Church enjoys a high and respected position in Austrian society, which should be kept in mind by the visitor. It is customary to dress up for the opera or the theatre.