Austria Today History, Facts and Figures Austrian – American Relations

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

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

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

Habsburg 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 I( ) 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 II( ) 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 World War II United Nations, New York

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) : Austria was divided into four zones of post- war administration UK F US USSR

Austrian State Treaty 1955 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 & 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 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). 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 Prague Spring 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 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

More than 300 international companies have 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 Europe

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

Tourism – 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 Ball Salzburg Festival Spanish 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

Sports 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)

Sports 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 pastries Coffee in Vienna Café Central Vienna Coffeehouses Austrian Wine Wiener Schnitzel

Austrian Scientists Sigmund Freud ( ) Founder of the psychoanalytic school of psychology. Ferdinand Porsche ( ) Automotive engineer, designed the original Volkswagen Beetle. Joseph Alois Schumpeter ( ) 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 Beetle Business Cycle

Austrian Art and Music: From the Classical to the Modern Era Joseph Haydn ( ) Wolfgang A. Mozart ( ) Franz Schubert ( ) Johann Strauss ( ) Gustav Mahler ( ) Arnold Schönberg ( ) Works of art by Otto Wagner ( ) Gustav Klimt ( ) Oskar Kokoschka ( ) Egon Schiele ( )

Austria and the United States

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 Red Bull Automotive parts, industrial goods Austrian wine and food

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)

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. Governor and former actor Arnold 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 chef Wolfgang Puck Wolfgang Puck: Photo courtesy Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Ice hockey player Thomas Vanek

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

… see you in Austria!