About Austria...
Austria, officially the republic of Austria, is a landlocked country of roughly 8.3 million people in Central Europe. It borders Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The territory of Austria covers 83,872 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi), and has a temperate and alpine climate. Austria's terrain is highly mountainous due to the presence of the Alps; only 32% of the country is below 500 metres (1,640 ft), and its highest point is 3,797 metres (12,457 ft). The majority of the population speaks German, which is also the country's official language. Other local official languages are Croatian, Hungarian and Slovene.
Austria is one of the 12 richest countries in the world in terms of GDP (Gross domestic product) per capita, has a well-developed social market economy, and a high standard of living. Until the 1980s, many of Austria's largest industry firms were nationalised; in recent years, however, privatisation has reduced state holdings to a level comparable to other European economies. Labour movements are particularly strong in Austria and have large influence on labour politics. Next to a highly developed industry, international tourism is the most important part of the national economy.
Germany has historically been the main trading partner of Austria, making it vulnerable to rapid changes in the German economy. However, since Austria became a member state of the European Union it has gained closer ties to other European Union economies, reducing its economic dependence on Germany. In addition, membership in the EU has drawn an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria's access to the single European market and proximity to the aspiring economies of the European Union. Growth in GDP accelerated in recent years and reached 3.3% in 2006.
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| Exports To Austria Facts |
| Location: |
Central Europe |
| Coordinates: |
47 20 N, 13 20 E |
| Int. Dialing Code: |
00 43 |
| Currency: |
euros |
| Language: |
German |
| Area: |
83,871 sq km |
| Capital City: |
Vienna |
| Population: |
8,210,281 |
| Population Ranking: |
92 |
| Employment: |
95.3 |
| Inflation: |
0.4% (2009 est.) |
| GDP: |
$323.1 billion (2009 est.) |
| GDP Ranking: |
37 |
| GDP Growth: |
-3.5% (2009 est.) |
| Internet Users: |
5.937 million (2008) |
| Television Stations: |
9 (2010) |
| Phone Lines: |
3.285 million (2008) |
| Mobile Phones: |
10.816 million (2008) |
| Major Industry: |
construction, machinery, vehicles and parts, food, metals, chemicals, lumber and wood processing, paper and paperboard, communications equipment, tourism |
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