The book is the first geographic work on Austria to appear since the 1920s. It presents the results of research work in the fields of history, politics, regional planning, economics, sociology and the earth sciences, in part effected by the research focus “Austria. Space and Society” which was started by the Austrian Research Foundation in 1994 and coordinated by the author. The book´s purpose is threefold:

1. to furnish a representative introduction to the country – a sort of a “calling card”,
2. to serve as “information base” for the sophisticated general reader – on account ot the variety of topics covered and the wealth of its maps and statistical data,
3. to inform the international scientific community about Austrian problems of European relevance, e.g. the three-dimensional superimposition of the international leisure society upon the local society in high mountain environments, the impact of international migration upon segregation in urban and rural areas, the development of new regional disparities through the internationalization of the real estate market.

Contents
TERRITORIAL HISTORY AND LEGACY The historical sequence of “Austria”-concepts; the search for the historical-territorial legacy; from antiquity to modern times; the Habsburg Empire; Vienna as a world metropolis; the First and the Second Republic of Austria
THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE
Political institutions of the Second Republic; centralism versus federalism; the primate city of Vienna and the small communities; dual economy and dual labor and housing market
POPULATION AND SOCIETY
Austria, a twice “turned-around” country; “guest” and “ghost” residents; immigration and the melting pot of Vienna; changing society; regionalism and disparities
ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Morphotectonic regions; glacial landforms and present glaciation; climate and water resources; levels of vegetation; natural resources: mining and waterpower
AGRARIAN SOCIETY AND LEISURE SOCIETY
Agricultural policies and changes in agriculture in the post-war period;

CITY AND COUNTRY
Settlement development in post-war Austria; building and dwelling; the cultural heritage of cities and rural areas; Vienna – from medieval burgher town to Eurometropolis; the achievements of “Monument Protection”
DUAL ECONOMY AND DUAL TRANSPORTATION
CERTAIN AND UNCERTAIN FUTURES
The “programmed” demographic future; effects of the internationalization of the economy; the take-off of the real estate market; Austria’s regions among the regions of Europe; effects of EU membership; EU regional policy and its support regions
AUSTRIA IN EUROPE
Austria’s geopolitical position in Europe after 1989; the legacy of a divided Central Europe; the by-passing of Austria: new transit routes in Europe; effects of the opening of the East on labor and capital markets; a triangle restored: Vienna – Budapest – Prague; Austria in Europe: an Outlook

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