AUSTRIAAUSTRIA

General informationGeneral information• Official name: Republic of AustriaOfficial name: Republic of Austria• Population:Population: 8,199,783 (2007)8,199,783 (2007)• Official language: GermanOfficial language: German• One of the richest countries in the worldOne of the richest countries in the world• Religion: 66% are Roman CatholicReligion: 66% are Roman Catholic• Currency: Euro €Currency: Euro €• Is divided into nine states: Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Is divided into nine states: Vorarlberg, Tyrol,

Salzburg, Carinthia, Upper Austria, Styria, Lower Salzburg, Carinthia, Upper Austria, Styria, Lower Austria, Burgenland, ViennaAustria, Burgenland, Vienna

MapMap

Europe

HistoryHistoryGoes back many centuries. The name Goes back many centuries. The name “Austria” was mentioned for the first time “Austria” was mentioned for the first time in a record in 996 A.D.in a record in 996 A.D.

First mention of “Ostarrichi”

Austrian State Treaty Austrian State Treaty 19551955

Declaration of the State Treaty, May 15, 1955, Upper Belvedere Palace

With the signing of the Austrian State Treaty, Austria was guaranteed independence by the Allied Powers – the U.S., Great Britain, France and the Soviet Union.

Austria declared at the same time its continued neutrality.

European UnionEuropean Union• In 1995 Austria joined the European Union.In 1995 Austria joined the European Union.• In 2002 the EURO was introduced asIn 2002 the EURO was introduced as

the common European currency.the common European currency.• Presidency of the European Union in 1998 and Presidency of the European Union in 1998 and

20062006

European flag The EURO The European Parliament in Brussels

Political SystemPolitical System

The Parliament in Vienna

Austria is a Austria is a Federal Republic.Federal Republic.

Austria’s head of Austria’s head of state:state:Federal President:Federal President:Dr. Heinz FischerDr. Heinz Fischer Austria’s head of Austria’s head of

governmentgovernment::Federal Chancellor: Federal Chancellor: Werner FaymannWerner Faymann

CultureCulture• The World Economic Forum in Davos ranked The World Economic Forum in Davos ranked

Austria as the 2nd most attractive tourist country Austria as the 2nd most attractive tourist country in the world. Vienna is the most livable city.in the world. Vienna is the most livable city.

• Examples : Examples : – Vienna Philharmonic OrchestraVienna Philharmonic Orchestra

• Celebrating Vienna New Year‘s ConcertCelebrating Vienna New Year‘s Concert• Considered one of the finest in the worldConsidered one of the finest in the world

CultureCulture– Vienna BoysVienna Boys’’ Choir Choir

• A choir of boy sopranos and altos based in ViennaA choir of boy sopranos and altos based in Vienna

– Vienna Opera BallVienna Opera Ball• Annual Austrian society event Annual Austrian society event

which takes place in the which takes place in the Vienna State OperaVienna State Opera

– Spanish Riding SchoolSpanish Riding School• Oldest and last Riding School in the worldOldest and last Riding School in the world

Traditional foodTraditional food• KaiserschmarrnKaiserschmarrn

• Wiener SchnitzelWiener Schnitzel

• SachertorteSachertorte

Traditional foodTraditional food• ApfelstrudelApfelstrudel

• GröstlGröstl

• TafelspitzTafelspitz

• Knödel und SauerkrautKnödel und Sauerkraut

Famous buildingsFamous buildings• Vienna: Vienna:

St. Stephen’s cathedralCity hall

Burgtheater Ferris-wheel

FamousFamous buildingsbuildings• Vienna: Vienna:

Hofburg

Schönbrunn Palace Karlskirche

Famous placesFamous places• Graz: Graz:

Clock tower

Linz:

Main square

Innsbruck: Golden Roof

Austria in the worldAustria in the world• Wolfgang A. Mozart (1756-1791)Wolfgang A. Mozart (1756-1791)• Franz Schubert (1797-1828)Franz Schubert (1797-1828)• Johann Strauss (1804-1849)Johann Strauss (1804-1849)

• Sigmund Freud Sigmund Freud ((1856-1939) 1856-1939) – Founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology.Founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology.

• Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) – Automotive engineer, designed theAutomotive engineer, designed the

original Volkswagen Beetle. original Volkswagen Beetle.

• Christoph Waltz Christoph Waltz – actor, winner of the academy awardactor, winner of the academy award

Lake Lake HallstHallstatt att

Mountains in Mountains in TyrolTyrol

Danube by Danube by nightnight

Austrian National Austrian National LibraryLibrary

TraditionTraditional al

clothesclothes

Christmas Christmas marketmarketin Vienna in Vienna