![]() ![]() ![]() Indeed, the country has among the highest number of asylum seekers per capita compared to other European countries. Austria has generally been welcoming towards refugees and committed to family reunification on a national level. Many of these workers, particularly Bosniaks and Serbs, have since made permanent homes in Austria for their families.Īustria's ethnic composition has changed in recent decades, and population growth in the country is mainly due to immigration. After 1945, labourers from southern Europe, the Balkans and North Africa moved to Austria as ‘guest workers’. The country is also home to numerous immigrant, refugee and transmigrant groups that have largely arrived since the end of World War II. Austrian law guarantees the preservation of their language and culture. However, there are notable Slovene (in Carinthia), Croatian (in Burgenland), Czech, Slovak and Hungarian minorities. Such regional distinctions have somewhat diminished since the advent of mass media and increased mobility.įor the most part, Austria is ethnically homogeneous with just over 90% identifying as Austrian. ![]() Although they hold their regional identity and distinctions dearly, Austrians also feel connected to the broader ‘Austrian' identity. Austrians are generally proud of their regional identities and it is quite normal for people to show loyalty to their local area. Geographic and geopolitical elements have led to differing cultural characteristics between regions and cities within Austria, visible in the way traditional heritage, foods, architecture and celebrations vary across the country. While historically the Alps did not demarcate official provincial boundaries, due to the impassable nature of the mountainous region, many inhabitants of the Alps were isolated from the rest of the country. Indeed, one of the most prominent parts of Austria’s landscape is the Alps. One of the main determining factors of the distinctiveness among regions is geography, specifically the mountains and forests. In turn, the people of each province tend to have some distinctions, often noticeable in language and dialect. Nearly every Austrian province shares a border with another European country, apart from Vienna. Austrians also have a deep respect for the environment, artistic talents and enriching conversations.Īustria is divided into nine ‘ Bundesländer’ (‘single lands’ or provinces). The values of cooperation, formality and gemütlichkeit (warmth or happiness) are cornerstones of contemporary Austrian culture. While some might perceive similarities between Austria and other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland and Germany, various historical events and institutions have shaped Austria to be distinct from its Germanic counterparts, such as the Habsburg Empire, World War II and the Catholic Church. In fact, the land of contemporary Austria was once part of a more extensive empire known as the Austro-Hungarian empire (formerly part of the Habsburg Dynasty), which also covered present-day Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as parts of Poland, Romania and Italy. It shares its borders with eight other European countries, each of which have contributed to Austrian culture in varying ways for centuries. Austria is a landlocked country located in south-central Europe. ![]()
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