area handbook series Austria a country study Austria a country study Federal Research Division Library of Congress Edited by Eric Solsten and David E. McClave Research Completed December 1993 On the cover: Coat of arms of the Republic of Austria Second Edition, First Printing, 1994. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Austria : a country study / Federal Research Division, Libr—ary ofCon- gress edited by Eric Solsten and David E. McClave. 2nd ed. ; — p. cm. (Area handbook series, ISSN 1057-5294) (DA pam 550-176) ; "Supersedes the 1976 edition ofArea handbook for Austria, — coauthored by Eugene K. Keefe et al." T.p. verso. "Research completed December 1993." Includes bibliographical references (pp. 273-286) and index. ISBN 0-8444-0829-8 1. Austria. I. Solsten, Eric, 1943- . II. McClave, David E., 1947- III. Library of Congress. Federal Research Division. IV. Are.a handbook for Austria. V. Series. VI. Series: DA pam ; 550-176. DB17.A8 1994 94-21665 943—dc20 CIP Headquarters, Department of the Army DA Pam 550-176 ForsalebytheSuperintendentofDocuments, U.S. GovernmentPrintingOffice Washington,D.C. 20402 Foreword This volume is one in a continuing series ofbooks prepared by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under the Country Studies/Area Handbook Program sponsored by the Department ofthe Army. The last two pages ofthis book list the other published studies. Most books in the series deal with a particular foreign country, describing and analyzing its political, economic, social, and national security systems and institutions, and examining the interrelation- ships of those systems and the ways they are shaped by cultural factors. Each study iswritten by a multidisciplinary team ofsocial scientists. The authors seek to provide a basic understanding of the observed society, striving for a dynamic rather than a static portrayal. Particular attention is devoted to the people who make up the society, theirorigins, dominantbeliefs andvalues, theircom- mon interests and the issues on which they are divided, the nature and extent oftheirinvolvementwith national institutions, andtheir attitudes toward each other and toward their social system and political order. The books represent the analysis ofthe authors and should not be construed as an expression ofan official United States govern- ment position, policy, or decision. The authors have sought to adhere to accepted standards ofscholarly objectivity. Corrections, additions, and suggestions for changes from readers will be wel- comed for use in future editions. Louis R. Mortimer Chief Federal Research Division Library of Congress DC Washington, 20540-5220 iii Acknowledgments This edition supersedes the Area HandbookforAustria, published in 1976. The authors wish to acknowledge their use of portions of that edition in the preparation of the current book. The authors also are grateful to individuals in various United States government agencies who gave their time and special knowledge to provide information and perspective. These individu- als include Ralph K. Benesch, who oversees the Country Studies/ Area Handbook Program for the Department ofthe Army. Frank J. LaScalareviewed portions ofthe manuscript and provided mili- tary photographs. In addition, the authors wish to thank various members of the staff of the Embassy of Austria in Washington, especially Hedwig Sommer, and ofthe Austrian National Tourist Office in New York for their assistance. Various members ofthe staffofthe Federal Research Division ofthe Library ofCongress assisted in the preparation ofthe book. Sandra W. Meditz made helpful suggestions during her review of all parts of the book, as did Andrea M. Savada. Tim L. Merrill assisted in the preparation ofsome ofthe maps, checked the con- tent ofall the maps, and reviewed the sections on geography and telecommunications. Thanks also go to David P. Cabitto, who provided graphics support; Wayne Horn, who designed the cover and chapter art; Marilyn L. Majeska, who managed editing and edited portions ofthe manuscript; Laura C. Wells, who helped pre- pare the Country Profile, tables, and Bibliography; AndreaT. Mer- rill, whomanagedproduction; and BarbaraEdgerton, AlbertaJones King, and Izella Watson, who did the word processing. Others who contributed were Harriett R. Blood and the firm of Greenhorne and O'Mara, who assisted in the preparation of maps and charts; Martha E. Hopkins, who edited portions ofthe manuscript; Sheila L. Ross, who performed the final prepublica- tion editorial review; andJoan C. Cook, who preparedthe Index. Linda Peterson ofthe Library ofCongress Composing Unit pre- pared camera-ready copyunderthe direction ofPeggyPixley. The inclusion of photographs was made possible by the generosity of various public and private agencies. v