Portal:Austria

Topics Culture Geography Health History Mathematics Nature People Philosophy Religion Society Technology Austria is one of Europe's leading industrialised countries, located in the heart of Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Czech Republic and Germany, to the south by Slovenia and Italy, to the west by Liechtenstein and Switzerland, and to the east by Hungary and Slovakia. Its capital city is Vienna. The origins of modern Austria date back to the ninth century, when the countryside of upper and lower Austria became increasingly populated. The name of Austria Ostarrîchi is first documented in an official document from 996. Since then this word has developed into the German word Österreich. Austria's political system is that of a federal, parliamentary representative democracy consisting of nine states. It is one of six European countries that have declared permanent neutrality and one of the few countries that includes the concept of everlasting neutrality in their constitution. Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 1955 and joined the European Union in 1995. It also a member of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, whose headquarters is based in Vienna. Template:/box-footer Schönbrunn Palace from the front side (1758) Schönbrunn Palace (German: Schloss Schönbrunn [ʃøːnˈbʁʊn]) is a former imperial summer residence in Vienna. One of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs. The name Schönbrunn (meaning "beautiful spring"), has its roots in an artesian well from which water was consumed by the court. UNESCO catalogued Schönbrunn Palace together with its gardens on the World Heritage List in 1996, as a remarkable Baroque ensemble and example of synthesis of the arts (Gesamtkunstwerk). The whole Schönbrunn complex with Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Palmenhaus, Wüstenhaus and the Wagenburg, accounted for more than five million visitors in 2010. Featured Austria articles File:Schloss Schoenbrunn August 2006 406.jpg Palace and gardens of Schönbrunn Empress Maria Theresa Maria Theresa of Austria (13 May 1717 – 29 November 1780) was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands, and Parma. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress. She started her 40-year reign when her father, Emperor Charles VI, died in October 1740. Charles VI paved the way for her accession with the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713, as the Habsburg lands were bound by Salic law which prevented female succession. Upon the death of her father, Saxony, Prussia, Bavaria and France repudiated the sanction they had recognised during his lifetime. Prussia proceeded to invade the affluent Habsburg province of Silesia, sparking a nine-year conflict known as the War of the Austrian Succession. Maria Theresa would later unsuccessfully try to reconquer Silesia during the Seven Years' War. She married Francis Stephen of Lorraine and had sixteen children, including Queen Marie Antoinette of France, Queen Maria Carolina of Naples, Duchess Maria Amalia of Parma and two Holy Roman Emperors, Joseph II and Leopold II. Though she was expected to cede power to Francis and Joseph, both of whom were officially her co-rulers in Austria and Bohemia, Maria Theresa was the absolute sovereign who ruled by the counsel of her advisers. She understood the importance of her public persona and was able to simultaneously evoke both esteem and affection from her subjects. Maria Theresa promulgated financial and educational reforms, promoted commerce and the development of agriculture, and reorganised Austria's ramshackle military, all of which strengthened Austria's international standing. “ Civilization is a work of peaceful co-operation. ” —Ludwig von Mises Wikinews Austria portal December 14: UEFA Euro 16 draw takes place in Paris October 22: Former Miss Austria Ena Kadic dies after mountain fall August 29: Four men go before Hungarian court after 71 found dead in lorry August 27: Austrian police find dozens dead inside lorry September 26: 2012 Report on Gender Equality and Development credits Icelandic parental policy with 'hopeful' changes March 1: New Zealand's Adam Hall and Corey Peters finish run at 2013 IPC Alpine World Championships March 1: Nathalie Carpanedo finishes wild card run at 2013 IPC Alpine World Championships March 1: Australia's Mitchell Gourley finishes up at 2013 IPC Alpine World Championships February 28: Austria wins friendly team competition at end of 2013 IPC Alpine World Championships February 26: France finishes 2013 IPC Alpine World Championships on top of medal ladder ... that the first record showing the name "Austria" is from 996 where it is written as Ostarrîchi, referring to the territory of the Babenberg March? ... that Austria currently produces more than half of its electricity by hydropower? ▼ Austria ► Buildings and structures in Austria ► Austrian culture ► Economy of Austria ► Education in Austria ► Environment of Austria ► Geography of Austria ► Austria-related lists ► Austrian people ► Politics of Austria ► Austrian society ► Sport in Austria ► Tourist attractions in Austria ► Images of Austria Template:/box-header Here are some tasks you can do: Requests: Pfadfinderkorps Sankt Georg, Österreichischer Pfadfinderbund, Österreichischer Pfadfinderinnenbund, More... 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