The entry into Austria's coalition government of the far-right Freedom Party in February 2000 sent shockwaves across Europe.
Austria's relations with the European Union were severely strained after some states imposed sanctions in protest. These were lifted some months later.

• Capital City: Vienna
  
• Population: 8.1 million (UN, 2003)
  
• Major language: German
  
• Major religion: Christianity
  
• Life expectancy: 75 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN)
  
• Monetary unit: 1 Euro = 100 cents
  
• Main exports: Machinery, metals, paper, textiles, food, livestock
  
• Average annual income: US $23,940 (World Bank, 2001)
  
• Internet domain: .at
  
• International dialling code: +43

THE MEDIA

• The Press
  
  • Die Presse
    
  • Neue Kronenzeitung
    
  • Wiener Zeitung - English page
    
  • Der Standard
    
  • Der Kurier
    
    
    
• Television
  
  • ORF - public broadcaster, operates national TV channels ORF 1, ORF 2
    
  • ATV - national commercial TV, via cable and terrestrially
    
    
    
• Radio
  
  • ORF - public broadcaster, operates Radio Oesterreich 1, pop music station OE3, youth station FM4 and a tier of regional services
    
  • Radio Austria International - external service operated by ORF, broadcasts in a number of languages including English
    
  • Krone Hit Radio - commercial, nationally-networked pop music station
    
  • Energy 104.2 - commercial, Vienna pop music station
    
    
• News agency
  • APA