Lower Austria ( German : Niederösterreich pronounced [ˈniːdɐˌ(ʔ)øːstɐraɪç] , abbreviated LA or NÖ ; Bavarian : Niedaöstareich ; Slovak : Dolné Rakúsko [ˈdɔlnɛː ˈrakuːskɔ] ; Czech : Dolní Rakousy [ˈdolɲiː ˈrakousɪ] ) is one of the nine states of Austria , located in the northeastern corner of the country. Major cities are Amstetten , Krems an der Donau , Wiener Neustadt and Sankt Pölten , which has been the capital of Lower Austria since 1986, replacing Vienna , which became a separate state in 1921. With a land area of 19,186 km (7,408 sq mi) and a population of 1.7 million people, Lower Austria is the largest and second-most-populous state in Austria (after Vienna).
31-525: With a land area of 19,186 km (7,408 sq mi) situated east of Upper Austria , Lower Austria is the country's largest state. Lower Austria derives its name from its downriver location on the river Enns , which flows from the west to the east. Lower Austria has an international border, 414 km (257 mi) long, with the Czech Republic ( South Bohemia and South Moravia ) and Slovakia ( Bratislava and Trnava Regions ). The state has
62-659: A long period of the Middle Ages, much of what would become Upper Austria constituted Traungau , a region of the Duchy of Bavaria . In the mid-13th century, it became known as the Principality above the Enns River ( Fürstentum ob der Enns ), this name being first recorded in 1264. (At the time, the term "Upper Austria" also included Tyrol and various scattered Habsburg possessions in southern Germany.) In 1490,
93-429: A long period of the Middle Ages, much of what would become Upper Austria constituted Traungau , a region of the Duchy of Bavaria . In the mid-13th century, it became known as the Principality above the Enns River ( Fürstentum ob der Enns ), this name being first recorded in 1264. (At the time, the term "Upper Austria" also included Tyrol and various scattered Habsburg possessions in southern Germany.) In 1490,
124-628: A military campaign, the area was under the control of Bavaria for some years in the early 17th century. The Innviertel was ceded from the Electorate of Bavaria to Upper Austria in the Treaty of Teschen in 1779. During the Napoleonic Wars , Upper Austria was occupied by the French army on more than one occasion. In 1918 after the collapse of Austria-Hungary , the name Oberösterreich
155-402: A military campaign, the area was under the control of Bavaria for some years in the early 17th century. The Innviertel was ceded from the Electorate of Bavaria to Upper Austria in the Treaty of Teschen in 1779. During the Napoleonic Wars , Upper Austria was occupied by the French army on more than one occasion. In 1918 after the collapse of Austria-Hungary , the name Oberösterreich
186-588: A million refugees . The Soviet and American armies occupied Upper Austria as hundreds of thousands of people fled from both sides of the land front. The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the state was 65.9 billion € in 2018, accounting for 17.1% of the Austria's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 39,500 € or 131% of the EU27 average in the same year. The Upper Austrian state constitution defines Upper Austria as an independent state of
217-482: A million refugees . The Soviet and American armies occupied Upper Austria as hundreds of thousands of people fled from both sides of the land front. The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the state was 65.9 billion € in 2018, accounting for 17.1% of the Austria's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 39,500 € or 131% of the EU27 average in the same year. The Upper Austrian state constitution defines Upper Austria as an independent state of
248-595: A strong presence, for example in the Innviertel . [REDACTED] Administratively, the state is divided into 15 districts ( Bezirke ), three Statutarstädte and 438 municipalities. Historically, Upper Austria was traditionally divided into four regions: Hausruckviertel , Innviertel , Mühlviertel , and Traunviertel . Upper Austria Upper Austria ( German : Oberösterreich [ˈoːbɐˌ(ʔ)øːstɐraɪç] ; Bavarian : Obaöstareich ; Czech : Horní Rakousy [ˈɦorɲiː ˈrakousɪ] )
279-888: Is drained by the Danube. The only river that flows into the North Sea (via the Moldau and the Elbe ) is the Lainsitz in northern Waldviertel , the Erlauf river . The most important rivers north of the Danube (on its left bank) are the Ysper , Kamp , Krems , Lainsitz , March and Thaya . South of the Danube (on its right bank) are the Enns , Ybbs , Erlauf , Melk , Pielach , Traisen , Schwechat , Fischa , Schwarza , Triesting , Pitten and
310-413: Is one of the nine states or Länder of Austria . Its capital is Linz . Upper Austria borders Germany and the Czech Republic , as well as the other Austrian states of Lower Austria , Styria , and Salzburg . With an area of 11,982 km (4,626 sq mi) and 1.49 million inhabitants, Upper Austria is the fourth-largest Austrian state by land area and the third-largest by population. For
341-413: Is one of the nine states or Länder of Austria . Its capital is Linz . Upper Austria borders Germany and the Czech Republic , as well as the other Austrian states of Lower Austria , Styria , and Salzburg . With an area of 11,982 km (4,626 sq mi) and 1.49 million inhabitants, Upper Austria is the fourth-largest Austrian state by land area and the third-largest by population. For
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#1732765277715372-930: Is the state with the second-lowest GDP per capita in Austria. Lower Austria is divided into four regions: Waldviertel , Mostviertel , Industrieviertel , and Weinviertel . The Wachau valley, situated between Melk and Krems in the Mostviertel region, is famous for its landscape, culture, and wine . Administratively, the state is divided into 20 districts ( Bezirke ), and four independent towns ( Statutarstädte ). In total, there are 573 municipalities within Lower Austria. 48°20′N 15°45′E / 48.333°N 15.750°E / 48.333; 15.750 Upper Austria Upper Austria ( German : Oberösterreich [ˈoːbɐˌ(ʔ)øːstɐraɪç] ; Bavarian : Obaöstareich ; Czech : Horní Rakousy [ˈɦorɲiː ˈrakousɪ] )
403-626: The Hochkarschacht , the Nixhöhle and the Ötschertropfsteinhöhle . More than 200 Neolithic people were killed during the massacre in the Linear Pottery settlement area of Schletz 7000 years ago. The history of Lower Austria is very similar to the history of Austria . Many castles are located in Lower Austria. Klosterneuburg Abbey , located here, is one of the oldest abbeys in Austria. Before World War II , Lower Austria had
434-712: The Leitha . Lower Austria is rich in natural caves ; in all 4,082 have been recorded. Most of the caves have formed in limestone and dolomite rocks and are therefore called karst caves . Cavities also form in the marble of the Central Alps and the Bohemian Massif. Among the largest caves in Lower Austria are: The last two are open as show caves , along with the Allander stalactite cave, the Unicorn Cave ,
465-812: The Waldviertel is a granite plateau. The hilly Weinviertel lies to the northeast, descends to the plains of Marchfeld in the east of the state, and is separated by the Danube from the Vienna Basin to the south, which in turn is separated from the Vienna Woods by a line of thermal springs (the Thermenlinie ) running north to south. Other mountains in Lower Austria may be found at Category:Mountains of Lower Austria . The state border with Styria runs over both passes. Almost all of Lower Austria
496-619: The area was given a measure of independence within the Holy Roman Empire , with the status of a principality . By 1550, there was a Protestant majority. In 1564, Upper Austria, together with Lower Austria and the Bohemian territories , fell under Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II . At the start of the 17th century, the Counter-Reformation was instituted under Emperor Rudolf II and his successor Matthias . After
527-427: The area was given a measure of independence within the Holy Roman Empire , with the status of a principality . By 1550, there was a Protestant majority. In 1564, Upper Austria, together with Lower Austria and the Bohemian territories , fell under Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II . At the start of the 17th century, the Counter-Reformation was instituted under Emperor Rudolf II and his successor Matthias . After
558-604: The democratic Republic of Austria. In its constitution, Upper Austria also declares its support for a united Europe that is committed to democratic, constitutional, social and federal principles as well as the principle of subsidiarity, preserves the autonomy of the regions and ensures their participation in European decision-making. In its regional constitution, Upper Austria defines its position in Europe as an independent, future-oriented and self-confident region that participates in
589-495: The democratic Republic of Austria. In its constitution, Upper Austria also declares its support for a united Europe that is committed to democratic, constitutional, social and federal principles as well as the principle of subsidiarity, preserves the autonomy of the regions and ensures their participation in European decision-making. In its regional constitution, Upper Austria defines its position in Europe as an independent, future-oriented and self-confident region that participates in
620-598: The further development of a united Europe. Like Styria, Upper Austria is a swing state that usually has a signal character in nationwide elections. The conservative Austrian People's Party dominates in rural areas, the Social Democratic Party of Austria has its strongholds in the cities of Linz , Wels and Steyr or in the Attnang-Puchheim railroad junction , but the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria has also traditionally had
651-457: The further development of a united Europe. Like Styria, Upper Austria is a swing state that usually has a signal character in nationwide elections. The conservative Austrian People's Party dominates in rural areas, the Social Democratic Party of Austria has its strongholds in the cities of Linz , Wels and Steyr or in the Attnang-Puchheim railroad junction , but the right-wing populist Freedom Party of Austria has also traditionally had
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#1732765277715682-541: The largest number of Jews in the country. The names Lower Austria and Upper Austria are derived from the earlier names Austria below the Enns and Austria above the Enns , references to the river Enns . Going down from its source on the northern edge of the Central Eastern Alps , the river crosses Upper Austria, then on its lower reaches forms the boundary between Upper Austria and Lower Austria. In
713-688: The mid-13th century, it became known as the Principality below the river Enns ( Fürstentum unter der Enns ). The Battle on the Marchfeld on 26 August 1278 marked the beginning of the ascendancy of the House of Habsburg in Austria and Central Europe. During the Ottoman wars in Europe , Lower Austria was the target of repeated raids by the Tatars and Ottoman Akinji mounted paramilitary units , with many people taken into slavery . Lower Austria
744-625: The people still belonged to the Roman Catholic church , about 4.4% were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church , 4.0 percent were Muslims , and 8.8 percent were of no confession. By the end of 2020, the proportion of Catholics had fallen to 62 percent, while the corresponding proportion of Protestants was about 3.1 percent of the Upper Austrian population. After World War II , Upper Austria received
775-418: The people still belonged to the Roman Catholic church , about 4.4% were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church , 4.0 percent were Muslims , and 8.8 percent were of no confession. By the end of 2020, the proportion of Catholics had fallen to 62 percent, while the corresponding proportion of Protestants was about 3.1 percent of the Upper Austrian population. After World War II , Upper Austria received
806-532: The second-longest external border of all Austrian states. It also borders the other Austrian states of Upper Austria , Styria and Burgenland as well as surrounding Vienna . Lower Austria is divided into four regions, known as Viertel (quarters): These regions have different geographical structures. Whilst the Mostviertel is dominated by the foothills of the Limestone Alps with mountains up to 2,000 m (AA) (6,500 ft) high, most of
837-646: Was partitioned between the American zone to the south and the Soviet zone to the north. Today Upper Austria is Austria 's leading industrial region. As of 2009, it accounted for approximately a quarter of the country's exports. As of January 1, 2021, 1,495,608 people resided in the state, of which 107,318 (7.17 percent) were European Union / European Economic Area / Switzerland / UK citizens and 96,623 (6.46 percent) were third-country nationals. The majority of Upper Austrians are Christian . In 2001, 79.4 percent of
868-537: Was partitioned between the American zone to the south and the Soviet zone to the north. Today Upper Austria is Austria 's leading industrial region. As of 2009, it accounted for approximately a quarter of the country's exports. As of January 1, 2021, 1,495,608 people resided in the state, of which 107,318 (7.17 percent) were European Union / European Economic Area / Switzerland / UK citizens and 96,623 (6.46 percent) were third-country nationals. The majority of Upper Austrians are Christian . In 2001, 79.4 percent of
899-476: Was the site of the Battles of Wagram and Aspern , fought between invading French troops under Napoleon and an Austrian army led by Archduke Charles in 1809. The gross domestic product (GDP) of the state was 61.0 billion € in 2018, accounting for 15.8% of Austria's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 32,300 €, or 107% of the EU27 average in the same year. Lower Austria
930-576: Was used to describe the province of the new Austria. After Austria was annexed by Adolf Hitler , the Nazi dictator , who had been born in the Upper Austrian town of Braunau am Inn and raised in Upper Austria, Upper Austria became Reichsgau Oberdonau , although this also included the southern part of the Sudetenland, annexed from Czechoslovakia, and a small part of Styria. In 1945, Upper Austria
961-403: Was used to describe the province of the new Austria. After Austria was annexed by Adolf Hitler , the Nazi dictator , who had been born in the Upper Austrian town of Braunau am Inn and raised in Upper Austria, Upper Austria became Reichsgau Oberdonau , although this also included the southern part of the Sudetenland, annexed from Czechoslovakia, and a small part of Styria. In 1945, Upper Austria