Regional Differences
Austria is a federal state of nine provinces, and regional identities are strongly pronounced. A Vorarlberger feels closer to a Swiss than to a Viennese, and a Tyrolean likes to emphasize that he is first a Tyrolean and then an Austrian.
Vienna — the Federal Capital
Vienna is its own universe. With 2 million inhabitants, almost a quarter of all Austrians live here. Viennese are considered grumpy, intellectual, cultured, and a bit arrogant — at least in the eyes of the provinces. Conversely, Viennese view everything outside the beltway with mild condescension. The city is cosmopolitan, multicultural, and left-liberal (a stronghold of the SPÖ since 1919).
Lower Austria & Burgenland — the East
Lower Austria is the largest province by area, surrounding Vienna and stretching from the Weinviertel to the foothills of the Alps. Burgenland — only part of Austria since 1921 (previously Hungarian) — is the easternmost and most rural province, known for wine, Lake Neusiedl, and the Croatian minority.
Upper Austria & Salzburg
Upper Austria is the industrial province (Voestalpine, Lenzing), but also the home of the Salzkammergut with its fairy-tale lakes. Salzburg — city and province — thrives on Mozart, the festivals, and tourism. Salzburgers are considered self-confident and conservative.
Styria & Carinthia — the South
Styria is the "green heart of Austria" — vineyards, pumpkin seed oil, and the charming capital Graz (UNESCO World Heritage). Carinthia scores with Lake Wörthersee, mild climate, and a complex history: The Slovenian minority, bilingual place-name signs, and the Carinthian place-name sign dispute are still topics today.
Tyrol & Vorarlberg — the West
Tyrol is the mountain region par excellence: self-confident, tradition-conscious, tourism-tested. The separation from South Tyrol (since 1919 part of Italy) is a thorn that still remains. Vorarlberg, the smallest province after Vienna, looks towards Switzerland and Lake Constance. The Alemannic dialect is practically incomprehensible to East Austrians.
