Upper Austria (German: Oberösterreich) is one of the nine states or Bundesländer of Austria. Its capital is Linz. Upper Austria borders on Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as on the other Austrian states of Lower Austria, Styria, and Salzburg. With an area of 11,980 km² and 1.3 million inhabitants, Upper Austria is the fourth largest Austrian state by land area and third largest by population.
State AT-4 (ISO)
Capitol Linz
Governor Josef Pühringer (ÖVP)
Area 11,980 km²
Population 1,405,986
Density 116-km²
History
The first reference to Oberösterreich appeared in 1264, discussing a region above the Enns River partitioned by King Ottokar II of Bohemia. Formally, it was called "Österreich ob der Enns" (Austria above the river Enns).
In 1490, the area was given a measure of independence in the form of status as a principality, but this was taken away in 1564 at the hands of the Habsburgs. In 1918, the name Oberösterreich was first formally used. When Austria was annexed by Adolf Hitler, Upper Austria became the Reichsgau of Oberdonau. After 1945, it reverted to its earlier name.
Demographics
Like the rest of Austria, Upper Austria is predominantly Roman Catholic. Approximately 7.2% of the population is of foreign origin, 53% of which is from former Yugoslavia. Other minority groups include those of Greek and Turkish origin. As of the last census, which took place in 2006, the population of Upper Austria is 1,405,986. To the right are historical population figures of the state.
Administrative Divisions
Upper Austria is traditionally divided into four regions: Hausruckviertel, Innviertel, Mühlviertel, and Traunviertel. Administratively, the state is divided into 15 districts (Bezirke), and three Statutarstädte.
Statutarstädte:
Linz
Steyr
Wels
External links
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