AUSTRIA



Wolfgang Schüssel
Federal Chancellor

Austria

(pronounced "VOOLF-gong SHOE-sel")

"We have a declaration where everything is enshrined, 'a yes' to human rights, 'a yes' to Europe, 'a yes' to guarantees for our minorities."

The Republic of Austria is a landlocked nation that is located in the center of Europe. Germany and the Czech and Slovak Republics are to the north; Switzerland and the tiny principality of Liechtenstein are to the west; Italy and Slovenia are to the south; and Hungary is to the east. Austria's total area is 83,858 sq km (32,378 sq mi). In 2002, the population was estimated at 8.2 million. The historical unit of currency was the schilling, but as of January 2002 Austria was among the 12 European nations that adopted the euro as their common currency. German is the official language; small minorities of Austrians have nevertheless preserved different mother tongues, such as Slovenian in Carinthia and Croatian and Hungarian in Burgenland. Austria's religious affiliation is 81% Roman Catholic; 5% Protestant; and 14% nonreligious, atheist, or other. Austria's major exports are machinery and transport equipment, iron and steel, paper and paper products, and chemicals. Tourism plays an important economic role as well.

ADDRESS

Federal Chancellery
Ballhausplatz
A-1010 Vienna, Austria
Web site: http://www.austria.gv.at

Also read article about Austria from Wikipedia

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