Official name- Republic of Austria (Republik Osterreich, Republic of Austria). Located in the southern part of Central Europe. The area is 83.9 thousand km2. Population - 8.14 million people. (Estimated as of Ser. 2002). The official language is German. The capital is Vienna (1.6 million people). Public Holiday- October 26 (since 1955). Currency unit- euro (since 2002).
Member ok. 70 international organizations, incl. UN since 1955, EU since 1995, as well as the IMF, OECD, WTO, etc.
Sights of Austria
Geography of Austria
The coordinates of the extreme points of the country: northern -15 ° 1 ’ east longitude and 49 ° 1’ northern latitude; eastern - 17 ° 10 ' east longitude and 48 ° 0 ' north latitude; southern - 14°34' east longitude and 46°22' north latitude; western - 9°32' east longitude and 47°16' north latitude. The greatest length from north to south is 294 km, from west to east - 573 km. Austria has no access to the sea.
The total length of the borders is 2706 km. Austria borders 8 countries: Germany (466 km) and the Czech Republic (816 km) in the north, Slovakia (107 km) and Hungary (354 km) in the east, Slovenia (330 km) and Italy (430 km) in the south, Switzerland ( 166 km) and Liechtenstein (35 km) in the west.
Most of the country's territory is occupied by the Eastern Alps (62.8%). The highest peak is Grossglockner (3798 m). Along the Danube is a low-lying plain. In the east - the Styrian-Burgenland hilly plain.
Minerals: iron ore, oil, lead-zinc ores (Klagenfurt-Bleyberg), hard and brown coal (Styria, Upper Austria).
Podzolic and brown forest soils predominate, in the southeast - chernozem soils. In the mountains, stony, as well as mountain brown forest and mountain-meadow soils.
In Austria, different climatic zones coexist. In general, the country is characterized by a temperate continental climate, influenced by the Atlantic. In the foothills of the Carpathians, in the northern regions, the climate is more continental. The average temperature in July is approx. +19°C, January approx. 0°C. The average annual rainfall is 800 mm (much more in the western regions, 2100 mm in the mountains).
In Austria, the rivers of the Danube basin flow. The Austrian part of the Danube - 350 km, Mur - 348 km, Inn - 280 km. There are more than 500 relatively small lakes and two large ones on the territory of the country: on the border with Hungary - Neusiedler See (156.9 km2, the Austrian part - 135 km2), on the border with Germany and Switzerland - Constance (total - 538.5 km2) .
The country is rich in forests (47% of the entire territory). The Austrian flora is characterized by an oak-beech forest in the valleys, and at an altitude of more than 500 m - a beech-spruce mixed forest. Above 1200 m, spruce predominates, larch and cedar are found. Alpine meadows in the foothills.
The fauna is typical Central European. There are roe deer, hare, deer, pheasant, partridge, fox, marten, badger, squirrel. The surroundings of Lake Neusiedl are unique protected nesting places for birds of the most different types. In high mountainous areas The composition of the fauna of the Eastern Alps is typically alpine.
Population of Austria
According to the 2001 census, the total population of Austria was 8.03 million people. There is almost no natural increase in the population in Austria: every year the number of births and deaths is almost the same. At the same time, both the birth rate and the death rate are declining in Austria: in 2001, 75.5 thousand were born, and 74.8 thousand died (by 9.3‰). A slight excess of births over deaths in last years provided at the expense of foreigners (+8.2 thousand against -7.5 thousand for the Austrians). Infant mortality 4.8 pers. per 1000 live births. Average life expectancy is 78.8 years, incl. 75.9 years for men and 81.7 years for women (2001). In 2001, there were 3,889,189 men and 4,143,737 women. 20% (including more than 7% - older than 75 years).
The ethnic composition of the population of Austria is homogeneous, approx. 98% are German-speaking Austrians. In addition, there are 6 recognized national minorities: Croats, Slovenes, Czechs, Slovaks, Hungarians, Gypsies (a total of about 300 thousand people).
The number of foreigners according to the 2001 census is 707 thousand people. (8.8%), according to estimates - more than 760 thousand, of which 45% are citizens of the former Yugoslavia.
The spoken language is the Austrian dialect of German; There are many local dialects in the country.
According to the 2001 census, 73.6% of Austrians are Catholics, 4.7% are Protestants, 6.5% of the population belongs to other religious denominations (Islam - 4.2%, Orthodox Church- 2.2%, Judaism - 0.1%; in total, 12 confessions are registered), 12% of the population do not identify themselves with any of the confessions (in 1991 there were only 8.6% of them).
History of Austria
During the era of the Great Migration of Peoples, the territory of Austria was invaded by various tribes, in clashes between which the foundations of the future national-territorial structure of the Austrian lands were laid. In the 6th c. settle in western Austria Germanic tribes(Bavarians), and in the central and eastern - Slavs (mainly Slovenes).
From the 10th c. in the Margraviate of Austria, the Bavarian dynasty of the Babenbergs established itself, making Vienna their residence. In 1156, under Margrave Henry II Jazomirgott, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa raised the status of a margraviate to a duchy, which was finally separated from Bavaria. This year is considered the year of the emergence of the Austrian state.
In 1246, the Babenberg dynasty ended, and after a short Czech rule, in 1278 the Austrian territories were captured by Rudolf I of Habsburg (originally from Swabia), who in 1282 transferred Austria and Styria to his two sons. This marked the beginning of the domination of the Habsburgs in Austria, which lasted until 1918. In the 14th century. Carinthia, Carniola and Tyrol were annexed to Austria. But until the end. 15th c. Austria remained fragmented into lands connected only by dynastic ties.
In the 16th century stormy economic development, primarily the mining industry, controlled by the South German capital of the Fuggers and Hochstetters. At the same time, the offensive begins Ottoman Empire to Southeastern Europe, and in 1529 the Turks laid siege to Vienna. In the 16-18 centuries. heavy Austro-Turkish wars are being waged. Violent forms took the clashes of supporters of the Reformation and counter-reformation. The anti-Habsburg Czech uprising of 1618-20 gave impetus to the all-European Thirty Years' War, which devastated all of Central Europe. In 1648, the Treaty of Westphalia was signed, according to which Austria ceded part of its territories to France. But in con. 17th-18th centuries Austria conquered vast new territories.
Maria Theresa (ruled 1740-80) held important economic and administrative reforms strengthening the power of the center. The institution of the civil service was established, manufactories were encouraged, a policy of mercantilism and protectionism was pursued, the army and the system were reformed. general education. Austria begins to acquire the glory of the "country of great musicians." The reform was continued by the son of Maria Theresa, Joseph II, but ran into strong resistance from the nobility.
The Napoleonic Wars turned into heavy military defeats, territorial losses and financial collapse for Austria. But by decision of the Congress of Vienna (1814-15), Austria regained part of what was lost. Economically backward feudal Austria under chancellor K. von Metternich became a stronghold of reaction in Europe.
From the beginning 19th century factory production is developing in the country, the first railway was built in 1822, and in 1848 agrarian reform. The foreign policy of Austria was unsuccessful. Having suffered defeat in the Austro-Prussian and Austro-Italian wars in 1866, Austria actually lost the status of a great European power. A multinational Austria-Hungary was formed in 1867, but this did not strengthen the position of the remaining purely reactionary monarchy. In foreign policy, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was under the complete influence of Germany.
After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, thus starting World War I. The defeat in it led to the fall of the Habsburgs and the collapse of Austria-Hungary. November 12, 1918 Austria was proclaimed a republic. On October 1, 1920, the Constitution of the Republic was adopted, providing for a federal structure of the state. But in 1929, changes were made to it, which soon led to authoritarian management.
In March 1938, the "Anschluss" took place - the annexation of Austria to Nazi Germany. As an integral part of the Reich, Austria took part in the 2nd World War. After its completion, Austria and Vienna both special district were divided into four zones of occupation. In 1946–48, heavy industry was nationalized in the country, as well as three large banks. Since 1948, Austria has participated in the Marshall Plan.
On May 15, 1955, in Vienna, representatives of the four victorious countries and Austria signed the State Treaty on the Restoration of an Independent and Democratic Austria. The occupation of the country was terminated, and on October 26, 1955, a law on the permanent neutrality of Austria was adopted. During the Cold War, Vienna became one of the centers of diplomatic efforts to defuse and establish cooperation between West and East. January 1, 1995 Austria became a member of the EU.
State structure and political system of Austria
Austria is a democratic republic with a federal state structure. The Constitution was adopted by the Constitutional National Assembly on October 1, 1920. It enshrined the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens, the principles of equality, rule of law, separation of powers, and separation of justice and administration.
Administrative division. The federation consists of 9 lands (the capital of the state, Vienna, is equated to the land).
The lands are divided into communities in which communal self-government is exercised.
The largest cities: Vienna, Graz (238 thousand people), Linz (203 thousand people), Salzburg (144 thousand people), Innsbruck (118 thousand people). The share of the urban population is 60%.
Principles government controlled. The constitution is based on the principle of representative democracy: all power comes from the people, who exercise it during elections and delegate it to the legislative, executive and judicial bodies.
Bills, which are mainly developed by the government, are discussed and adopted by the National Council by a majority vote with a quorum of 1/3 of the deputies (constitutional laws and regulations, as well as school laws - 2/3 of the votes).
With regard to the legislative process and management, they exercise multilateral control: political - the opposition, legal - the Constitutional Court of Justice, economic - the Accounts Chamber, for violations - the prosecutor's office.
The head of state is the federal president. He is elected for a term of 6 years (with the possibility of a single re-election) in popular direct equal elections by secret ballot.
The federal president performs mainly representative functions (primarily in the international legal sphere), accredits and appoints ambassadors, appoints and dismisses federal officials, incl. officers. Based on the results of parliamentary elections, he appoints the federal chancellor and, on his recommendation, other members of the government. He can dissolve the National Council with the consent of the Bundesrat, dismiss the Federal Chancellor or the entire government (but not individual ministers), although this has never happened in practice. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Federal President - Heinz Fischer (since July 8, 2004), former speaker of the National Council (parliament), who won the presidential election on April 25, 2004. His predecessors since 1945 were K. Renner, T. Körner, A. Scherf, F. Jonas, R .Kirchschleger, K.Waldheim, T.Klestil.
supreme body legislature and the body of popular representation - the bicameral Federal Assembly, consisting of the National Council (NC) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). Joint meetings of the Federal Assembly are held when the president is sworn in and to decide whether to declare war. It may also call a referendum to remove the president.
Legislative functions are performed by the National Assembly (together with the Bundesrat), elected for 4 years in general direct elections by secret ballot. The leadership of the National Assembly is carried out by the President of the National Assembly, as well as the Second President of the National Assembly and the Third President of the National Assembly. These three presidents form the college and act as federal president when he is unable to do so.
Since February 2000, a "black-and-blue" coalition has been in power - the ANP and the APS. As a result of the November 24, 2002 elections, the parliament was formed with 183 deputies.
The second chamber of the Austrian Parliament is the Bundesrat. Its 64 members represent 9 federal states in proportion to their population (for example, Lower Austria - 12, and Vorarlberg and Burgenland - 3 each). Members of the Bundesrat are elected and delegated by the Landtags for 4 or 6 years. The Bundesrat can protest the law, and then the National Council votes again with a larger quorum. The president of the Bundesrat is elected in alphabetical order from each state for a period of six months. The supreme body of executive power is the federal government. Formed on February 28, 2003 from representatives of the ANP and the APS, the government consists of 11 federal ministries: social welfare, generations and consumer protection (Minister Vice-Chancellor H. Haupt, APS); foreign affairs; internal affairs; justice; national defense; finance; economy and labor; agriculture and forestry, environment and water management; health and women's affairs; transport, innovation and technology; education, science and culture.
The government is headed by the Federal Chancellor. He forms the cabinet and coordinates its work. When making decisions, the principle of unanimity applies. The Chancellor must take into account the opinion of the Vice-Chancellor, whose role in the Austrian coalition government great.
Since February 2000, Wolfgang Schüssel (ANP) has been Federal Chancellor. Among his predecessors, B. Kraisky (SPA, 1970–83) and F. Vranitzki (SPA, 1986–97) stand out.
Elections to all bodies of popular representation shall be universal, direct, free and equal by secret ballot. Suffrage available to all citizens over the age of 18. Participation in presidential elections is mandatory. Elections to the National Assembly are held according to the proportional system (three-stage proportional system: 1 vote for a certain party list, inside the list - for a certain candidate in the regional and land constituencies). In the National Assembly there are parties that have won a regional mandate or received 4% of the vote throughout Austria. In elections to the organs local government citizens of other EU countries residing in Austria can also participate.
The governments of the federal states are formed by the Landtags (land parliaments). They are led by Landeshauptmann (Prime Minister). The land government decides the most important issues as a collegiate body.
The main parties represented in the parliament: ANP (created in 1945 on the basis of the former Christian Social Party, chairman W. Schüssel), SPA (created in 1945 as the Socialist Party of Austria on the basis of the Social Democratic Party, since 1991 it is again called the Social Democratic Party , chairman A. Gusenbauer), APS (created in 1955 on the basis of the right-wing radical Union of Independents, chairman S. Riss-Passer), the recently created Green Party (chairman of Austria van der Bellen).
One of the characteristic features of the Austrian political system is a highly developed system of alliances and close cooperation between the alliances of interests and the government.
The largest trade union organization is the Austrian Association of Trade Unions (AOP), founded in April 1945. It includes 16 branch trade unions. There is also the Federal Chamber of Labor.
Leading business organizations are the Economic Chamber of Austria and the Conference of Presidents of Agricultural Chambers.
If the AOP functions as a voluntary association, then membership in the chambers is mandatory. The chambers of labor include all workers and employees of the private sector, the chambers of commerce - all entrepreneurs (except agricultural, who are members of the agricultural chambers, and freelancers).
Austria has one of the most effective systems social partnership, moreover, it is not fixed either in the Constitution or in any law, but functions thanks to the voluntary cooperation of unions.
Maintaining law and order and the rule of law are the main tasks of Austria's domestic policy. For many decades, the country supported social world(on the basis of a highly developed welfare state, but not least thanks to the system of social partnership and complicity in management). Only in 2003, as a result of the planned pension reform, there were mass protests and strikes - for the first time in many decades.
Increasing in the 1990s the influx of refugees and immigrants led to the strengthening of right-wing radical and nationalist sentiments among a part of the Austrian society, which was expressed by the leader of the APS, J. Haider. The entry of his party into the composition federal government February 4, 2000 triggered a wave of protests at home and abroad and EU sanctions. On February 29, Haider resigned as chairman of the party. Nevertheless, the problem of right-wing radicalism has become one of the main ones for Austrian domestic politics.
Status of permanent neutrality and non-participation in military-political blocs established a certain framework for the foreign policy activity of Austria. This did not mean isolationism or "equidistance" from West and East, and did not prevent it from effectively integrating into the Western democratic community. In 1956 Austria became a member of the Council of Europe, and in 1960 - a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). 1970s were the highest point of the country's activity in the UN.
Even greater opportunities for using Austria's openness emerged after its accession to the EU in 1995. Since February 10, 1995, Austria has been participating in the NATO Partnership for Peace program. By signing the Amsterdam Treaty (1998), Austria actually agrees to participate in the common defense policy of the EU countries.
Central offices of a number of international organizations are located in Vienna, incl. IAEA, UNIDO, OPEC, and the OSCE Secretariat and Permanent Council.
Since the 1970s Austria pursued a policy of "active neutrality", promoting "diplomacy of contacts" (including between the leaders of the USSR and the USA), supporting political and military detente. In the 1980-90s. strengthened the European orientation of Austrian foreign policy. In the 1990s, the Austrian foreign policy in relation to the neighboring countries of Central and Eastern Europe became more active.
The armed forces of Austria consist of ground and air forces. Their number is approx. 50 thousand people
Austria has diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation (resumed from the USSR in October 1945; first established on February 25-29, 1924; ceased in March 1938).
Economy of Austria
Austria is one of the most developed countries in Europe. GDP per capita in 2002 amounted to 24.7 thousand euros (in 1995 prices). This figure is constantly growing (in 1990 it was 20.1 thousand, in 1995 - 21.4 thousand euros), and in US dollars at current prices and at purchasing power parity in 2001 - 28.2 thousand (with an average of EU 25.5 thousand). Thus, Austria was ahead of Sweden, Great Britain, Italy, France, Germany, and was second only to Denmark, the Netherlands, Ireland and Luxembourg.
The volume of GDP in constant prices in 2002 amounted to 200.7 billion euros. GDP production per 1 employed person in 2001 (labor productivity) - 58.3 thousand euros.
The Austrian economy is comparatively different low level inflation (in 2002 - 1.8%) and unemployment (in 2000 - 3.7% of the able-bodied population, in 2002 - 4.3%). Index consumer prices in 2002 to 1996 was 108.8, while in the EU as a whole - 110.8.
Approximately 2.2% of GDP is produced in agriculture and forestry, 32.3% in industry, energy economy and construction, 65.5% - in services, trade, transport and communications, banking and insurance systems.
The most important industrial sectors are engineering, food, chemical, pulp and paper, and metallurgical. In the automotive industry, the most important part is the production of engines (900 thousand units per year) and gearboxes, with the share of their exports over 90%. In the field of electronic technology, Austria has won international recognition manufacturing custom-made integrated circuits and chips. The production, mainly for export, of complex industrial equipment is becoming increasingly important.
The potential of hydroelectric power plants is constantly expanding, Austria is the largest producer of hydroelectric power in the EU. If in 1998 hydroelectric power plants produced 38.7 thousand GW (67.4% of all electricity produced in the country), then in 2000 - 43.5 thousand GW (70.5%). At the same time, in 2000 the country exported 15.1 GW and imported 13.8 GW.
Industrial production in 2002 increased by 32.9% compared to the level of 1995, with the largest increase observed in Carinthia (by 56.5%), while in Vienna it decreased by 3.6%. Growth in the production of investment goods over the same period was 56.5%, while consumer durables decreased by 0.5% (although in 2000 the index was 110.6). Clothing production fell by 2 times, but production in the tobacco industry increased by more than 2 times. The production index in mechanical engineering was 173.8, in electrical engineering - 203.0, in the production of vehicles and their components - 203.9. Particularly rapid growth was observed in the production of office equipment and information processing devices - the index in 2002 by 1995 was 656, and in 2001 it was even higher - 699.
Despite the fact that the mountainous terrain is not suitable for agriculture, the use of modern farming methods makes it possible for Austria to provide 3/4 of the needs of the domestic agricultural market.
41% of the country's area is in agricultural use. Agricultural and forestry workers make up only 5% of the working population. In agriculture, there are strict standards for the use of plant protection products and fertilizers. In Austria, 70% of enterprises using 90% of agricultural land participate in the national environmental program (on average in the EU - approx. 20%). More than 20 thousand farms produce environmentally friendly bio-products.
length railways is a little over 6 thousand km, of which more than half is electrified. The total length of highways is 133.4 thousand km, incl. more than 1600 km - high-speed roads. More than 4 million cars and approx. 350 thousand trucks. Inland waterways - 358 km. In passenger traffic, bus transport is the leader - 608 million people. in 2000, followed by rail - 183 million. In terms of freight traffic, road transport is more than 3 times higher than rail, but in terms of ton-kilometers, their indicators are approximately equal (in 2001, road - 17,556 million tkm, rail - 17,387 million tkm).
6 international airports: in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Innsbruck, Linz and Klagenfurt. The largest airline, Austrian Airlines, has 90 aircraft and carried 8 million passengers in 2000 (out of a total of 15.6 million).
The length of oil pipelines is 777 km, gas pipelines - 840 km. Approx. 60 million tons of products.
Despite being landlocked, Austria has 10 merchant ships.
Communications are well developed in the country, approx. 30 companies. There are 4 million telephone points and 6 million mobile phones. Almost half of the population - 4 million people. - uses the Internet.
Austria is a highly industrialized country, but the majority of the population works in retail, banking, healthcare, education and tourism, the latter being one of the most profitable industries in the economy.
In 2002, the number of tourists amounted to 27.4 million, incl. 18.6 million - foreign. Gross tourism receipts in 2002 are estimated at 9.6 billion euros (which is almost 1.7 billion euros less than in 2001, although the number of tourists has increased).
In recent years, a number of important economic and political functions have been more or less lesser degree carried out by supranational state bodies (first of all, this applies to foreign trade and monetary policy). Nevertheless, at the national level, the Austrian government continues to carry out important tasks of economic and social policy.
Characteristic post-war development Austria - significant specific gravity in the industry of public sector enterprises. In 1986, the share of state-owned enterprises united in the Esterreichische Industriholding A.G. ("EIAG"), in the volume of industrial production was approx. 30%, and in the total number of people employed in industry - 20%.
In 1987, the Austrian government adopted the EIAG "rehabilitation" program, aimed at the consistent privatization of promising and profitable enterprises and the elimination of inefficient industries. By 2000, the state retained only 2 enterprises in full ownership, and in the rest it retains equity participation, and the largest in the tobacco industry (more than 40%), in the Austrian Airlines company (39.7%), in the capital of the largest concerns in the black metallurgy (35-39%).
In economic policy in the 1990s. a line was drawn towards further reduction of the public sector, privatization, reduction of the direct participation of the state in economic activity, support for private entrepreneurship, shifting the center of gravity state regulation to improve the framework conditions for the activities of economic entities.
The coalition government of the ANP and APS, having proclaimed the slogan "manage in a new way", has outlined a reform program that, to a certain extent, can lead to a gradual erosion of the social partnership system, which for decades guaranteed social stability in society.
The government pays great attention to the tasks of financial consolidation, sanitizing the country's budget, improving financial position separate structures with direct or indirect participation of the state. The most important components of the government program are the implementation of the pension reform, which caused violent protests in the country, the consistent privatization of state property, the reform of the administrative and management sphere, the development of the national capital market, and the strengthening of the scientific potential of the economy.
Of particular importance is the comprehensive reform of the social security system. In Austria, social insurance is compulsory for all non-self-employed workers (except government officials). Employees and employers pay in equal shares numerous social contributions, from which the relevant social funds are formed: pension, medical, accident, unemployment insurance, contribution to compensation funds in case of bankruptcy of an enterprise, contribution to equalize the situation of families, assistance in housing construction and some others .
After 1999, the main functions of monetary regulation in connection with the formation of the Economic and currency union were transferred to the European Central Bank (ECB). The National Bank of Austria is part of European system central banks and implement the policies formulated by the ECB. At the same time, the National Bank of Austria retains the functions of control over the payment turnover and the issuance of euro banknotes, and the management of its gold and foreign exchange reserves.
Credit institutions in Austria are very diverse. In terms of balance sheet value, the leading place is occupied by savings banks (38% of the total balance sheet value at the end of 2000), and in terms of the number of institutions and branches, Raiffeisenbanks (625 main institutions out of a total of 923 and 1,741 branches out of 4,556). In addition, there are joint-stock banks (second place in terms of balance sheet), construction savings banks, land mortgage banks, Volksbanks, and special banks. If in the 1980s the number of credit institutions grew, then in the 1990s it slightly decreased.
The share of GDP redistributed by the state is very large, although it has been declining slightly in recent years. If in 1990 total government spending, including social funds, amounted to 53.1% of GDP, then in 1993 it was 57.9%, but then decreased to 52.5% in 2000 and 52.3% in 2001.
The state budget deficit is practically constant (with the exception of 2001, when there was a surplus of +0.3% of GDP). But if in the beginning 1990s it fluctuated from -3 to -5.2%, then since 1997 it did not exceed -2.4%, and in 2002 it was -0.6%, i.e. the country complies with the Maastricht criteria for this indicator. However, the public debt, which until 1992 was less than 60% of GDP, then increased to 69.2% and now fluctuates at the level of 67-68% (or 146.5 billion euros, including 132.2 billion - federal debt) , exceeding the 60% limit set by the Maastricht Treaty.
Federal budget expenditures, according to preliminary data, in 2002 amounted to 61.8 billion euros, and revenues - 59.4 billion euros. Approximately 45% of income comes from taxes on income and property, 29.7% comes from turnover tax, 8% from excises. The main part of the expenditure is for the social sphere.
The government is implementing a tax reform in order to reduce the level of taxation of wages and other incomes of citizens and their families, while providing some tax benefits to entrepreneurs, as well as to simplify the tax system as a whole while tightening control over tax payments.
Austria has a developed system of social security and protection, which has two levels: compulsory insurance and state social assistance. While providing social stability and confidence, this system is nevertheless very expensive and requires - incl. and for demographic reasons, ever-increasing deductions. Therefore, if in 1990-2001 the total gross wage increased by 51%, net wages - by only 35% (at the same time, deductions in the form of payroll tax and social contributions doubled).
In 2001, the average nominal wage per 1 employee was 2,400 euros per month (gross), having increased by 41% compared to 1990 (net wages per 1 employee in 2001 amounted to 1,620 euros and increased compared to 1990 by 26.6 %).
A positive factor for the sustainability of the standard of living of the population is the low growth in prices for consumer goods and services; over the past 2 years, the price of tobacco products has increased the most (by 10.8%), and the least (by 1.1%) - for household electricity and home heating.
So far, unemployment in Austria is relatively low, but if the stagnation of the European economy drags on, it could rise significantly. The number of registered unemployed averaged 232.4 thousand people. The number of vacancies has decreased markedly. Among the unemployed, the proportion of people over 50 in 2002 was 48.4%. The number of job seekers for more than 1 year is only 5.5%, average duration registration at the labor exchange - 137 days.
external economic ties; Austria trades with 150 countries of the world.
Export of goods in 2002 was 77.3 billion euros (4.1% more than in 2001; in 2000 the growth was 15.6%, in 2001 - 6.5%). Cars, paper and cardboard, automobiles, ferrous metals are exported. Almost half of exports are consumer goods.
Import of goods in 2002 - 76.9 billion euros (2.2% less than in 2001; in 2000 the growth was 14.7%, in 2001 - 5%). Imports are predominantly finished products, with consumer goods accounting for half of the imports.
In 2002, there was a slight positive trade balance, while in previous years it was negative.
The vast majority of Austrian trade is with EU countries (60.2% of exports and 65.8% of imports). Germany is the main trading partner (its share in the trade turnover is 36.1%), followed by Italy, Switzerland, France, and Hungary by a wide margin. Trade with Eastern European countries is growing steadily: exports to these countries (excluding CIS countries) amounted to 13.5 billion euros (17.5%), while imports from them - 10.2 billion euros (13.2%).
Trade turnover between Austria and the Russian Federation has also been growing in recent years: from 1893 million euros in 2000 to 1985 million euros in 2002, however, imports from Russian Federation fell from 1238 million to 1032 million, and exports to the Russian Federation increased from 655 million to 953 million. chemical industry(primarily pharmaceutical products), paper and cardboard, steel pipes for oil production, energy carriers and metals are imported from the Russian Federation.
The balance of payments on current operations in Austria in 2002 was positive (both in goods and services). The balance of capital movements is more often negative or with a slight plus.
Foreign investment on the basis of reciprocity is granted national treatment in Austria. A state specialized agency established in 1983 successfully supports the placement of foreign enterprises in Austria. The largest foreign investor is Germany (approx. 30% of investments).
Science and culture of Austria
The state system of school education in Austria was introduced as early as 1774; compulsory eight-year education was introduced in 1869, and nine years in 1962. After 4 years elementary school you can enter the main or general education school higher level (gymnasium).
Universities in Austria provide both teaching and Scientific research. Access to the university is open to all residents of the country who have passed the matriculation examination. As in schools, university education is free for Austrians. Now there are 19 universities in Austria, incl. 7 - in Vienna. More than 220 thousand students study in them (the share of foreigners is more than 12%). In addition to universities, there are special higher schools, colleges, academies and other universities.
The Austrian Academy of Sciences, founded in 1847, is the largest non-university scientific institution in the country. She mainly does fundamental research. It includes the Institute for Comparative Behavior Research. K. Lorenz, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, etc.
Altogether in Austria approx. 2200 scientific institutions, which employs approximately 25 thousand people. Austria is characterized by active participation in international scientific cooperation: it participates in more than 1000 research projects framework program of the EU.
Small Austria is a country of great scientists and entire schools, not only in the natural sciences, but also in the humanities. The Austrian school of economics (K. Menger, F. von Wieser, E. von Beem-Bawerk), liberal theorist L. von Mises, psychologist Z. Freud, economist J. Schumpeter, laureates Nobel Prize F. von Hayek and K. Lorenz.
In the field of culture, Austria is associated with music. However, it also has deep traditions in the field of literature. Even in the 12th-13th centuries. Austria became one of the centers of literary creativity thanks to Walter von der Vogelweide and the Nibelungenlied. In an era closer to us, the literary glory of Austria was created by S. Zweig, who lived in Prague (then in Austria-Hungary) R. M. Rilke and F. Kafka, R. Musil.
The country has many architectural monuments of different eras and styles, starting from the 11th century. But of particular importance is the baroque, which still reflects inner essence Austrians.
In the field of fine arts, artists G. Klimt, E. Schiele and O. Kokoschka gained world fame.
But music is still the most important of all the arts in Austria. The traditions of the "Viennese classics" - J. Haydn, W. A. Mozart, L. van Beethoven - were continued and developed by F. Schubert, A. Bruckner, J. Brahms, G. Mahler, and already in the 20th century. in the new musical aesthetics - A. Schoenberg, A. Berg, A. Webern. In the 2nd floor. 19th century the Viennese operetta was developed (J. Offenbach, J. Strauss, F. Legar, etc.).
In 1869, the Vienna Opera House was opened, directed by G. Mahler, R. Strauss, K. Böhm, G. von Karajan. Of great cultural importance is the Salzburg music Festival held since 1920.
Austrian museums are famous, especially the Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Natural History Museum, the world's largest collection of Albertina graphics, the Austrian Gallery (in the Belvedere Castle) and many others.
The name of the country comes from the ancient German Ostarrichi - "eastern country".
Austria Square. 83859 km2.
Population of Austria. 8.534 million people (
Austrian GDP. $436.3 billion (
Location of Austria. The country is located in Central. In the north it borders with and, in the east - with and, in the south - with and, in the west - with and. Has no access to the sea. Most of the territory is occupied by their foothills, highest point- Mount Grossglockner (3797 m).
Administrative divisions of Austria. It consists of 8 federal lands and the capital district equated to them.
Form of government of Austria. Republic, with a federal state structure.
Head of State of Austria. President, elected for 6 years by popular vote.
Supreme legislature of Austria. Bicameral parliament (National Council and Federal Council), term of office - 4 years.
Supreme executive body of Austria. Government headed by the Federal Chancellor. Big cities. Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck.
State language of Austria. Deutsch.
Currency of Austria. Euro = 100 cents.
Fauna of Austria. In broad-leaved forests, there are animal species rare in Europe - red deer, elk, roe deer, brown bear. In the highlands - mountain goat, chamois, alpine marmot, alpine ptarmigan.
Rivers and lakes of Austria. (tributaries: Inn, Enns, Drava, Mur and Morava), ; 580, mostly origin, including Neusiedler See, Lake Constance.
Sights of Austria. In Vienna - the famous Vienna Opera and Burgtheater, the collection of the Academy of Fine Arts, the collection of jewelry of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, the Schonbrunn Palace, Belvedere Park, the world's oldest zoo (1732); in Salzburg - the Mozart House Museum, a fort of the 11th century; in Graz - the Museum of Criminalistics, a castle of the 11th century; Cathedral of the Knights of the Teutonic Order of the XIII century; in Innsbruck - Furstenburg Castle, Hofburg Imperial Palace XIV-XVIII centuries.
Useful information for tourists
There are 2 tourist seasons - summer (July-August) and winter (Christmas). The best time to visit Vienna is late spring and early autumn.
The ski season lasts until mid-April. To use the ski lifts, you need to purchase single or one-day tickets (there are several categories) or more profitable “ski passes” for several days (for valid more than 10 days, a photo is required).
Tourist plastic cards provide free travel in any form of public transport, free (or cheaper) visits to museums and excursions, all kinds of discounts. Free maps of Vienna, transport routes, excursion programs and brochures, including in Russian, can be obtained at the Vienna-Turismus office on Albertinaplatz.
Tipping is 5% of the order value, in large restaurants it is customary to leave 10% of the bill. The waiter will definitely return the change on the bill, and after that, in the same napkin, you need to give him a tip. You can leave small coins in the bar and cafe. Tipping is not given in street cafes. It is customary for a taxi driver to pay 10% over the counter, you can simply not take a change from change.
Republic of Austria
Austria located in Central Europe. In the north it borders with Germany and the Czech Republic, in the east - with Hungary and Slovakia, in the south - with Italy and Slovenia, in the west - with Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Has no access to the sea. Most of the territory is occupied by the Alps and their foothills, the highest point is Mount Grossglockner (3797 m).
The name Austria comes from the ancient German Ostarrichi - "eastern country".
Capital
Square
Population
8151 thousand people
Administrative division
It consists of 8 federal lands and the capital district equated to them.
Form of government
Republic, with a federal state structure.
head of state
supreme legislative body
Bicameral parliament (National Council and Federal Council), term of office - 4 years.
Supreme executive body
Government headed by the Federal Chancellor.
Big cities
Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck.
Official language
Deutsch.
Religion
80% - Catholics, 9% - Protestants, 3% - Orthodox, 2% - Muslims.
Ethnic composition
88.5% - Germans, 1.5% - Croats, Slovenes, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Italians, 10% - Turks, Bosnians, Serbs.
Currency
Euro = 100 cents.
Climate
Moderate, transitional to continental, highly dependent on altitude. Winter is mild, with frequent snowfalls, the coldest winter month- January, the temperature in the valleys drops to -2°С, in the mountainous regions - to -14°С. Snow lies in the mountains for 7-8 months. Summers are warm and sunny, the hottest months are July and August, the temperature is about + 20 °C. Precipitation varies from 600 mm per year in the east of the country to 2000 mm per year on the western and southwestern slopes of the Alps.
Flora
Up to a height of 600-800 m there are broad-leaved forests - oak, beech, hornbeam, ash; conifers appear at an altitude of 1400 m; from a height of 2000 m, alpine meadows begin.
Fauna
In broad-leaved forests, there are rare species of animals in Europe - red deer, elk, roe deer, brown bear. In the highlands - mountain goat, chamois, alpine marmot, alpine ptarmigan.
Rivers and lakes. Danube rivers (tributaries: Inn, Enns, Drava, Mur and Morava), Rhine; 580 lakes, mostly of glacial origin, including Neusiedler See, Lake Constance.
Attractions
In Vienna - the famous Vienna Opera and Burgtheater, the collection of the Academy of Fine Arts, the collection of jewelry of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, the Schonbrunn Palace, Belvedere Park, the world's oldest zoo (1732); in Salzburg - the Mozart House Museum, a fort of the 11th century; in Graz - the Museum of Criminalistics, a castle of the 11th century; Cathedral of the Knights of the Teutonic Order of the XIII century; in Innsbruck - Furstenburg Castle, Hofburg Imperial Palace XIV-XVIII centuries.
Useful information for tourists
There are 2 tourist seasons - summer (July-August) and winter (Christmas). The best time to visit Vienna is late spring and early autumn. The ski season lasts until mid-April. To use the ski lifts, you need to purchase single or one-day tickets (there are several categories) or more profitable “ski passes” for several days (for valid more than 10 days, a photo is required). Tourist plastic cards provide free travel in any form of public transport, free (or cheaper) visits to museums and excursions, all kinds of discounts. Free maps of Vienna, transport routes, excursion programs and brochures, including in Russian, can be obtained at the Vienna-Turismus office on Albertinaplatz. Tipping is 5% of the order value, in large restaurants it is customary to leave 10% of the bill. The waiter will definitely return the change on the bill, and after that, in the same napkin, you need to give him a tip. You can leave small coins in the bar and cafe. Tipping is not given in street cafes. It is customary for a taxi driver to pay 10% over the counter, you can simply not take a change from change.
Austria located in Central Europe. In the north it borders with Germany and the Czech Republic, in the east - with Hungary and Slovakia, in the south - with Italy and Slovenia, in the west - with Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Has no access to the sea. Most of the territory is occupied by the Alps and their foothills, the highest point is Mount Grossglockner (3797 m).
The name Austria comes from the ancient German Ostarrichi - "eastern country".
Official name: Republic of Austria
Capital:
Territory area: 83.8 sq. km
General population: 8.3 million people (2009)
Administrative division: It consists of 8 federal lands and the capital district equated to them.
Form of government: Republic, with a federal state structure.
Head of State: President, elected for 6 years by popular vote.
Composition of the population: 90% of the population are Austrians. About 9% are from other countries: Yugoslavs (35%), Turks (20%) and Bosnians (10%). In addition, small groups of Croats, Hungarians (Burgenland), Slovenes (southern Carinthia), Czechs and Gypsies live in the country.
Official language: Deutsch. Most people working in the tourism industry understand and speak English. In the border areas they speak: Hungarian, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech, Italian.
Religion: 78% Roman Catholic, 5% Protestant, 4.5% other faiths, 9% undecided.
Internet domain: .at
Mains voltage: ~220 V, 50 Hz
Phone country code: 43
Country barcode: 900-919
Country Description
Austria is an Alpine country in the heart of Europe. Here you will find a variety of landscapes, amazing flora and fauna. Austria is proud of its history, and today's eventful cultural life attracts tourists from all over the world. The Austrians greet their guests in a friendly way. Austrian hospitality has become a tradition.
Climate
The climate in Austria is temperate, mid-continental. On the northern slopes The Alps have winters characteristic of a continental climate, and summers are quite hot. In the south of the country the climate is almost Mediterranean. Snow in the mountains in some places lies 7-8 months a year.
There are three climatic zones on the territory of Austria:
East of Austria
The continental climate prevails here, which is characterized by a relatively small amount of precipitation (about 800 mm), warm, long summers (in mid-July - above + 19 ° C), rather cold winters, a significant difference between day and night, as well as summer and winter temperatures. .
West of Austria - intraalpine regions
The local climate, defined as alpine, is characterized by a large number of rainfall, short summers and long winters.
Central Austria
Here the climate is transitional - moderately humid, Central European. The average temperature in mid-June is +14°С, +19°С.
The average January temperature is from -1°С to -5°С, in summer - +15°С, +18°С, in the south +25°С, + 27°С.
Geography
The Republic of Austria is a continental state located in the southern part of Central Europe and occupying part of the Eastern Alps and territories along the Danube River. The country is quite close to the Mediterranean region. In Austria, natural, climatic and vegetation zones are closely intertwined. Thanks to his geographic location Austria has long been a crossroads transport routes connecting the most important European centers of economy and culture.
Austria - federal state with an area of 83.858 sq. km, including nine federal states: Burgenland, Vienna, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Carinthia, Vorarlberg.
Austria borders on Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy. The length of the state borders of Austria with these countries is 2,706 km, of which 816 km with Germany, 466 km with the Czech Republic, 107 km with Slovakia, 354 km with Hungary, 330 km with Slovenia, 430 km with Italy, 166 km with Switzerland and 35 km with Liechtenstein.
The highest mountain in Austria is Grossglockner (3797 m), the most important river is the Danube (about 350 km flows through Austria).
Flora and fauna
Vegetable world
The variety of relief and climate determines the richness of vegetation types. Vegetation zones in flat and hilly areas basically coincide with climatic ones. For Central European, widespread in Austria, oak-beech forests are characteristic, and above 500 m - beech-spruce forests. Above 1,200 m, spruce dominates, larch and European cedar pine occur.
Austria is one of the richest countries in Europe with forests, they cover about 46% of its territory. In many areas of the Alpine foothills, arable land has replaced forests. Especially on the northern alpine slopes, at an altitude of about 600 m, high mountain pastures - "alms" prevail. Pannonian vegetation is characterized by shrubs, mixed deciduous forest and heather steppe. To the east of the Neusiedler See in Burgenland, the specific flora of the saline steppe predominates.
Animal world
Austria is characterized by the Central European fauna: roe deer, deer, hare, pheasant, partridge, fox, bursuk, marten, squirrel. Typical representatives of the Alpine fauna are the chamois, the marmot, the mountain jackdaw and the newly introduced ibex. The fauna of the Pannonian lowland is characterized by an abundance of birds, in particular, in the coastal reeds of the only steppe lake in Central Europe Neusiedler See (purple heron, colonies of spoonbills and avocets).
Attractions
Culture and museums in Austria
Many museums in Austria are dedicated to famous musicians. These are two house-museums of Mozart in Salzburg, the house of Brahms in Mürzzuschlag and many memorials in Vienna, including four house-museums of Beethoven. Austria has a large number of architectural monuments - cathedrals, palaces, castles and monasteries. The main artistic treasures are collected in the museums of Vienna: Schönbrunn - the residence of the Austrian emperors, the Albertina Gallery and the Kunsthistorisches Museum. See all the sights of Austria, as well as excursions in Austria in the new catalogs of excursions and attractions.
Vienna: historic center
Here are: the square "Am hof" - "At the Court", the church "Am hof" or the Church of the Nine Angelic Choirs, the oldest church in Vienna - the Church of St. St. Stephen with the famous cathedral after which it is named, the Albertina Museum, which stores 200,000 original works of art and much more.
The summer residence of the Habsburgs is also one of the mandatory visits. Like Peterhof and Versailles, this is an ensemble that combines architecture and nature, where the park becomes an extension of the palace. An exhibition of crews is open in Schönbrunn. The French park is adorned with mythological sculptures and topped by the Neptune Fountain at the foot of the hill. You can visit the summer palace theatre, as well as several museums and a zoo.
Prater
The symbol of the Prater and one of the symbols of Vienna is the Riesenrad, a giant ferris wheel built in 1896-97 English engineer Walter Basset for the World Exhibition in Vienna. Rising in one of its carriages to a height of about 65 meters, you can capture the panorama of Vienna with your eyes. There is a lot of entertainment here for any age - the "road of horrors", a carousel, shooting galleries, modern attractions with breathtaking speed and upheavals in the air.
Boxing ring
There are many interesting buildings on the boulevard, which has its own "ring-strassenstil" style: the neo-Gothic Rathaus - the City Hall of Vienna, the Greek-style Parliament, the most famous drama theater in Vienna - the Burgtheater, the musical Mecca of Vienna - the Staats Opera, where the most famous ball takes place in February Austria - opernbal, art-historical and natural-historical museums and several parks.
Hundertwasser House
There are almost no straight lines in the architecture of this house. Uneven floors and flights of stairs symbolize forest and mountain paths, while curved, unevenly plastered and painted walls resemble curtains. In the interior decoration of the walls and floors of the house, there are natural motifs in the form of applications, and earth is poured on all the flat elements of the building and plants are planted.
Underground lake Seegrotte - the largest underground lake in Europe
As a result of natural transformations in the south of Lower Austria, one of the most impressive natural monuments on Earth has arisen. This is the Seegrotte underground lake in the town of Hinterbruhl. And it all started in 1912. During blasting in the Hinterbrühl gypsum mine, more than 20 million liters of water were expelled from the so-called "water bag". Water rushed into the passages and adits. As a result of this "water exodus", the largest underground lake in Europe appeared. Work at the mine was stopped, the mine was closed. Only in the 30s. XX century, an international team of speleologists rediscovered the underground lake, describing the unique underwater world, the play of water and soil, which together created a breathtaking spectacle.
Admired by what they saw, the specialists took the initiative and made possible opening for all this rare attraction. In 1932, access to the underground lake was opened for the first time, then as an overview of the mine. And from the very first day Seegrotte has become the number one attraction for tourists. Last year alone, 250,000 people from all over the world went there.
Ancient Austria - Carnuntum Archaeological Park
One of the most interesting sights in Austria is the Carnuntum Archaeological Park, located between Vienna and Bratislava. On the territory of the municipal districts of Petronell-Carnuntum and Bad Deutsch-Altenburg, at the intersection of ancient trade routes, right on the southern bank of the Danube was once the capital of the Roman province of Upper Pannonia - the city of Carnuntum. Here you will get acquainted with the history of Carnuntum, learn about the museums and annual performances taking place in this archaeological park.
Banks and currency
Since 01.01.2002 in Austria, as in all EU countries, the euro has been used as a means of payment, and shillings have lost the role of the national currency. Banknotes of denominations were put into circulation: 5, 10, 20, 50,100,200, 500 euros, coins of 1.2, 5.10, 20.50 cents, as well as 1 and 2 euros.
Austrian banking hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (8:00-12:00 and 13:30-15:00), and on Thursday from 8:00 to 12:30 and from 13:30 to 17: thirty.
Useful information for tourists
There are 2 tourist seasons - summer (July-August) and winter (Christmas). The best time to visit Vienna is late spring and early autumn. The ski season lasts until mid-April. To use the ski lifts, you need to purchase single or one-day tickets (there are several categories) or more profitable “ski passes” for several days (for valid more than 10 days, a photo is required).
Tourist plastic cards provide free travel in any form of public transport, free (or cheaper) visits to museums and excursions, all kinds of discounts.
Free maps of Vienna, transport routes, excursion programs and brochures, including in Russian, can be obtained at the Vienna-Turismus office on Albertinaplatz.
Tipping is 5% of the order value, in large restaurants it is customary to leave 10% of the bill. The waiter will definitely return the change on the bill, and after that, in the same napkin, you need to give him a tip. You can leave small coins in the bar and cafe. Tipping is not given in street cafes. It is customary for a taxi driver to pay 10% over the counter, you can simply not take a change from change.
