Austria
The Alps dominate the western and southern parts of Austria
while the eastern provinces, including Vienna, the capital, lie in the Danube
basin.
Until the end of World War I, Austria was for centuries the centre of a vast
empire, which controlled much of central Europe. Austria is now a federal
republic, consisting of nine states.
Vienna hosts a number of international organisations, including the Secretariat
of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International
Atomic Energy Agency and the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
The Austrian Parliament has two chambers. The National Council, or Nationalrat, has 183 members, who are elected by direct popular vote to serve a four-year
term. The Federal Council, or Bundesrat, is the upper house with about 62
members who represent each province. Its members serve a four or six-year term.
Austria has a rich cultural heritage. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart occupies a place
of his own as a composer, while Franz Schubert enjoys great popularity too. In
the world of philosophy and ideas, Siegmund Freud continues to provoke
controversy while Ludwig Wittgenstein was one of the major influences in 20th
century thinking. The paintings of Gustav Klimt are widely admired.
Austria has a mixed industrial and agricultural economy, while tourism is also
an important source of income.
In cuisine, some of Austria’s specialities like Wiener Schnitzel and
Apfelstrudel have become international dishes which need no translation.
Source:
http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/eu_members/austria/index_en.htm
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