Austria - History, Facts, and Figures

1. Austria Today History, Facts and FiguresAustrian – American Relations

2. Located in the Heart of Europe Population: 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

3. Sharing Borders with Neighboring Countries 509 miles Germany 291 miles Czech Republic 267 miles Italy Hungary 220 miles 205 miles Slovenia 64 miles Switzerland 104 miles Slovakia Liechtenstein 22 miles Total (8) countries 1,682 miles

4. The history of Austria….goes back many centuries. The name “Austria” was mentioned for the first time in a record in 996 A.D. Stamp commemorating Austria’s 1000th birthday First mention of “Ostarrichi”

5. Habsburg Monarchy 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. The Congress of Vienna, 1815 – peace conference upon conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars Austro-Hungarian Empire under Franz Joseph I in 1914

6. World War I (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

7. World War II (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

8. The Marshall Plan: U.S. Financial Assistance for 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: Austria was divided into four zones of post-war administration UK US F USSR

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

10. The 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

11. Austria: An Active Member of the UN Since 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). United Nations Headquarters in Vienna Austria’s participation in UN missions

12. 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

13. A Member of the European Union • 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

14. A Gateway to Central and Eastern Europe 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. More than 300 international companies have their CEE headquarters in Austria

15. Political System Austria is aFederal Republic The Parliament in Vienna Austria’s head of state:Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer Austria’s head of government: Federal Chancellor Dr. Alfred Gusenbauer

16. Tourism – Optimal Amenities • 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. The World Economic Forum in Davos ranked Austria as the 2nd most attractive tourist country in the world.

17. 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’ ChoirA choir of boy sopranos and altos based in Vienna

18. Vienna Opera Ball Annual Austrian society event which takes place in the Vienna State Opera Salzburg Festival Prominent festival of music and drama Spanish Riding School Oldest and lastRiding Schoolin the world

19. Sports The most popular sport is alpine skiing Similar sports as ski-jumping or snowboarding are also very popular The Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain (3,798 m) 12,461 ft Franz Klammer: 2 Olympic gold medals (1974 and 1976) Hermann Maier: 2 Olympic gold medals (both in 1998) Skiing in Austria

20. Sports Most popular team sport is soccer 2008 UEFA European Football Championship takes place in Austria and Switzerland 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck

21. Austrian Cuisine Vienna Coffeehouses Wiener Schnitzel …famous for its pastries Café Central Coffee in Vienna Austrian Wine Sachertorte Apfelstrudel

22. Austrian Scientists Many Austrian scientists and Nobel Prize winners have won recognition far beyond the borders  of  their native country 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. Business Cycle VW Beetle

23. 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)

24. Austria and the United States

25. U.S.: Austria‘s Third Biggest Trading 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 Austrian wineand food Automotive parts, industrial goods Red Bull

26. EU-U.S. Transatlantic Partnership • The 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)

27. 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 Minnesotaand the University of New Orleans have strongly promoted this vibrant exchange.

28. Austrians in the U.S. Wolfgang Puck: Photo courtesy Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences 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. Governor and former actorArnold Schwarzenegger Celebrity chefWolfgang Puck Ice hockey playerThomas Vanek

29. Sound 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

42. … see you in Austria!