Austria Today
History, Facts and FiguresAustrian – American
Relations
Located in the Heart of Located in the Heart of EuropeEuropePopulation: 8,199,783 (2007) GDP growth: 3.2% (2007)Area: 32,382 sq miles GDP: € 31,400 (2007)Land boundaries: 1,682 miles Inflation: 2.3 % (2007)98% of Austria‘s population is German speaking
Sharing Borders with Neighboring Sharing Borders with Neighboring CountriesCountries
509 miles
291 miles
64 miles
220 miles
205 miles
267 miles
104 miles
22 miles
Germany
Czech Republic
ItalyHungary
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Slovenia
Slovakia
1,682 milesTotal (8) countries
The history of AustriaThe history of Austria ….goes 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”
Stamp commemorating Austria’s 1000th
birthday
Habsburg MonarchyHabsburg Monarchy
Austro-Hungarian Empire under Franz Joseph I in 1914
The Congress of Vienna, 1815 – peace conference upon conclusion of
the Napoleonic Wars
Under the rule of the Habsburgs, Austria witnessed its greatest expansion, and formed close dynastical alliances with many of Europe's royal houses, enabling Vienna to shape and determine Europe's history for centuries.
World War IWorld War I (1914-1918)(1914-1918)
After the end of World War I, Europe's geographical land-scape changed significantly. The Austro-Hungarian Empire ceased to exist, leaving behind the formation of new countries. The German-speaking parts of Austria formed the successor state, the Republic of Austria.
Austria 1919/20
World War IIWorld War II (1939-1945)(1939-1945)
Following the experiences of two devastating world wars involving millions of victims of armed conflict, persecution, genocide and the Holocaust, the foundation for a new world order and world peace was created in the form of the United Nations Organization in 1945.
World War II
United Nations, New York
The Marshall Plan: U.S. Financial Assistance The Marshall Plan: U.S. Financial Assistance for European Reconstructionfor European Reconstruction
Under the Marshall Plan, the U.S. provided significant financial assistance for European reconstruction (5% of the U.S. federal budget flowed into the European Recovery Program, whereby Austria received a total amount of one billion dollars in aid over several years).
1945-1955: 1945-1955: Austria was Austria was divided into four divided into four zones of post-war zones of post-war administrationadministration
UK
F
US
USSR
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.
The Cold War: Austria as a Hub Between East & WestThe Cold War: Austria as a Hub Between East & West
In the years following Austria, being a neutral country centrally located between the East and the West blocs, hosted a number of historic summit meetings and high-level international conferences.
John F. Kennedy with Nikita Khrushchev, June 1961: Vienna
Austria: An Active Member of Austria: An Active Member of the UNthe UNSince joining the United Nations in 1955, the newly independent Austria took part in numerous UN peace keeping missions in the world.In 1980 the UN headquarters building in Vienna was inaugurated, housing several UN Organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Austria’s participation in UN missions
United Nations Headquarters in Vienna
Humanitarian Aid and Asylum
In the past fifty-some years Austria has offered generous aid and asylum to refugees, some of whom have found a new home in Austria, or new homes in other parts of the world via Austria.- Hungarian Revolution in 1956- Prague Spring 1968- Emigration of Soviet Jews to Israel via Austria- Conflict in former Yugoslavia in the 1990s
Hungarian refugees in 1956
Austrian humanitarian initiative
for the Balkans
A Member of the European A Member of the European UnionUnion
• In 1995 Austria joined the European Union.• In 2002 the EURO was introduced as the common European currency.• While assuming the Presidency of the European Union in 1998 and 2006, Austria chaired numerous summit, ministerial and expert meetings on a broad range of issues and was significantly involved with the development of the European Union and its policies.
European flag
The EURO
The European Parliament in
Brussels
More than 300 international companieshave their CEE headquarters in Austria
The fall of the Iron Curtain provided new opportunities for Europe and Austria. With traditionally close ties to its neighboring countries Austria is an evermore important trading partner and investor in the emerging economies of Central and Eastern Europe.
A Gateway to Central and Eastern EuropeA Gateway to Central and Eastern Europe
Political Political SystemSystem
Austria’s head of state:Federal President
Federal ChancellorDr. Alfred Gusenbauer
Dr. Heinz Fischer
Austria is a Federal Republic
The Parliament in Vienna
Austria’s head of government:
Tourism – Optimal AmenitiesTourism – Optimal Amenities
The World Economic Forum in Davos ranked Austria as the 2nd most attractive tourist country in the world.
- Accessibility through air and ground transportation- High environmental and safety standards- Excellent infrastructure- Diverse scenery and cultural attractions…make Austria a wonderful and exciting
destination for tourists.
Culture Today
Austria‘s cultural heritage and treasures are well known and admired all over the world:
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra-Celebrating Vienna New Year‘s Concert-Considered one of the finest in the world
Vienna Boys’ Choir
A choir of boy sopranos and altos based in Vienna
Vienna Opera BallVienna Opera Ball
Salzburg FestivalSalzburg Festival
Spanish Riding SchoolSpanish Riding School
Prominent festival of music and drama
Oldest and last Riding School in the world
Annual Austrian society event which takes place in the Vienna State Opera
SportsSports
The Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain (3,798 m) 12,461 ft
The most popular sport is alpine skiing
Similar sports as ski-jumping or snowboarding are also very popular
Skiing in Austria
Hermann Maier: 2 Olympic gold medals (both in 1998)
Franz Klammer: 2 Olympic gold medals (1974 and 1976)
SportsSports
2008 UEFA European Football Championship takes place in Austria and Switzerland
1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck
Most popular team sport is soccer
Austrian Cuisine
Apfelstrudel
Sachertorte
…famous for its pastriesCoffee in Vienna Café Central
Vienna Coffeehouses
Austrian Wine
Wiener Schnitzel
Austrian Scientists
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) Founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology. Ferdinand Porsche (1875-1951) Automotive engineer, designed the original Volkswagen Beetle.Joseph Alois Schumpeter (1883-1950) Economist, developed the theory of business cycles and development.
Many Austrian scientists and Nobel Prize winners have won recognition far beyond the borders of their native country
VW BeetleBusiness Cycle
Austrian Art and Music: From the Classical to the Modern Era
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)Wolfgang A. Mozart (1756-1791)Franz Schubert (1797-1828)Johann Strauss (1804-1849)Gustav Mahler (1860-1911) Arnold Schönberg (1874-1951)
Works of art byOtto Wagner (1841-1918)Gustav Klimt (1862-1918)Oskar Kokoschka (1886-1980)Egon Schiele (1890-1918)
Austria and the United States
U.S.: Austria‘s Third Biggest U.S.: Austria‘s Third Biggest Trading PartnerTrading Partner
- Exports 2006: 6.2 billion EUR (+15.5%)- Imports 2006: 3.2 billion EUR (+11.3%)- Increased export of all major types of goods
Automotive / Energy Drinks / Pharmaceuticals / Machinery / Seamless Pipes / Sheet Metal / etc.- U.S. is 3rd most important trade partner after Germany and Italy
Red Bull Automotive parts, industrial goods
Austrian wineand food
EU-U.S. Transatlantic EU-U.S. Transatlantic PartnershipPartnershipThe Transatlantic Dialogue between the E U and the U.S. established in 1995 provides regular summit and ministerial meetings as well as meetings of experts on a broad range of economic and political issues. The U.S. is the EU’s most important trading partner: • EU-U.S. trade exchange amounts to over $1billion per day• Approx. 14 million jobs are closely linked to transatlantic economic cooperation and trade.• The EU is the biggest investor in the U.S.
EU-US Summit Meeting in Vienna, Austrian Chancellor Schüssel and U.S. President Bush (2006)
Austrian Centers in the U.S.Austrian Centers in the U.S.
Close cooperation between universities in the U.S. and sister institutions in Vienna and Innsbruck have resulted in successful student exchange programs and summer schools. The Centers for Austrian Studies at the University of Minnesota and the University of New Orleans have strongly promoted this vibrant exchange.
Austrians in the U.S.Austrians in the U.S.
Governor and former actorArnold Schwarzenegger
Throughout the United States you will find Americans of Austrian descent. Among those Austrians living in the United States today, several play a prominent role in the areas of culture, science, as well as in politics and sports.
Celebrity chefWolfgang Puck
Wolfgang Puck: Photo courtesy Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences
Ice hockey playerThomas Vanek
Sound of MusicSound of Music
Most Americans are familiar with the beautiful melodies of the musical featuring the story of the Trapp family. The musical and movie have won several awards and the musical has been performed over 1,500 times on Broadway.
Schloß Leopoldskron, Salzburg – site of the famous movie
Trapp Family Lodge, Vermont
… see you in Austria!
Top Related