Austria, once the center of powerful Austro-Hungarian Empire, was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. It’s fate was not favourable in World War II either – in 1938 it was invaded by the Nazis and by the Soviets in 1945. As the war ended, the Allies  (USA, France, Britain and Russia), divided Austria into 4 zones. The first parliamentary elections were held in November 1945, but it was only in 1955 that Austria became an independent nation again. Austria joined the European Union in 1995 and adopted the Euro currency in 1999.

Capital: Vienna (Wien)

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Population: 8.46 million (est. 2012)

Currency: Euro (€)

Official Language: German

Ethnicity/race: 91.1% – Austrians; 4% – former Yugoslavs (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001 census)

Religion: Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census), Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001 census)

*Source: CIA Factbook

3 Interesting Facts:

1. Austria is the only continental EU country that is not part that is not a member of NATO.
2. The founder of the German sports car company ‘Porsche’, is actually Austrian born – his name? Ferdinand Porsche.
3. Actor and formed California governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, was born and raised in Austria. He moved to the US at the age of 21.