Afghanistan
Afghanistan has a rich history and diverse, multi-ethnic culture. Its geostrategic location has long forced it to play an important role in international affairs.
Afghanistan’s place as a major international crossroads has proven a double-edged sword. Its exposure to a variety of civilizational influences, among them the Greeks, Indians, Bactrians, Persians, Pashtuns, and Mongols, has enriched the cultural life of the country, but at the expense of political stability. It has been part of numerous states throughout its past; at the same time, many great empires arose in Afghanistan and conquered vast territories in Central and South Asia. The modern nation-state of Afghanistan began as the Durrani Empire in 1747. It became entangled in the struggle between Britain and Russia for regional dominance in the 19th century, succumbing to British control until 1919. For several decades after regaining independence it experienced great stability and some measure of modernization, but soon became embroiled in another international conflict: the Cold War. A progressive, Soviet-backed government took control of the country, but suffered heavily from regional militias supported by the US. The USSR invaded in 1979 in an attempt to pacify Afghanistan, but met with little success; when the Soviet Army retreated in 1989, the Afghan government was left with no support, and the country quickly dissolved into civil war. The religious extremist Taliban movement gained control of most of Afghanistan in 1996, and instituted a regime based upon strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The Taliban’s harboring of the militant Al-Qaeda group instigated a US-led invasion in 2001, which fostered the restoration of an Afghan democracy. Since then, Afghanistan has seen rapid economic growth and a dramatic increase in the quality of human rights; however, the country remains one of the world’s poorest and least developed. The continuing Taliban insurgency, decimated infrastructure, and lack of skilled labor are severe challenges to Afghan progress, and pandemic unemployment has created the world’s largest illegal opium industry. Nevertheless, reconstruction efforts have produced many successes, and with substantial, untapped mineral and fossil fuel reserves, Afghanistan’s economy has enormous potential.
Immigration to Afghanistan is tightly regulated, as travel in the country is still rather dangerous. Despite this, over 4 million Afghans living abroad have returned to their homeland following the invasion, providing an invaluable source of economic stimulus. Most civilian foreigners entering Afghanistan do so as development workers or volunteers. Not everyone will be suited to a move to Afghanistan, due to its tough living conditions and ongoing security concerns; there remains, however, a great deal of work to help this country recover from nearly four decades of social upheaval.
Dari, a dialect of Persian (or Farsi), has historically served as the lingua franca of Afghanistan, and today is the country’s most widely spoken language. It is co-official alongside Pashto, the language of the country’s Pashtun ethnic majority. Many regional and minority languages exist, including Uzbek, Turkmen, and Balochi; naturally, with so many languages present, bilingualism is particularly common in Afghanistan.
Links
Country Info:
National Geographic: Afghanistan Facts
Language:
Wikipedia: Dari (Eastern Persian)
Relocation Resources:
US Department of State: Afghanistan Country-Specific Information
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan: Afghan Culture, History, and More
Albania
Albania is located in Southeastern Euroupe, near Greece and Macedonia. Its people have maintained a unique culture for centuries, in the wake of numerous foreign conquests, and today their country is emerging as a democracy and growing economy.
The Albanian national identity has been forged over the course of nearly three millenia, and was shaped by the influence of the Greeks, Romans, and native Illyrians in ancient times. Annexed by Rome in 165 BCE, it was ruled from Byzantium after the fall of the Western Empire, and was later conquered by the Venetians and, finally, the Turks. Albania gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, ending over 2,000 years of foreign rule, but in the ensuing decades was occupied by the Axis Powers. The Albanians gained renown for their valiant resistance effort; their country was the only one in Eastern Europe to evict the German invaders without foreign assistance, and became a safe haven for Jews from throughout the region due to popular refusal to participate in the Holocaust. A Communist regime headed by Enver Hoxha took control of the country after World War II, and while Albania remained fairly undeveloped and closed to the West under his leadership, it also managed to avoid political domination from China and the Soviet Union.
Since Hoxha’s death in 1985, Albania has gradually made capitalist market reforms and opened its borders to the outside world. It is today an increasingly stable country, and is taking steps to broaden its role in European and international affairs, seeking entry into both the EU and NATO. Its economy, while still not as advanced as most Western European states, has been boosted by privatization and infrastructure investment, and performed quite well in view of its transitional state. Tourism is becoming a large industry, due to the country’s ancient history and vast natural beauty; Albania is home to numerous rare and endemic species, especially in the region of Ohrid Lake.
The grand majority of Albania’s population, at 95%, are ethnic Albanians, with small minority and immigrant groups, mostly from surrounding countries. A growing number of Westerners are attracted to the country, both as a vacation spot and for work. The only predominantly Muslim country in Europe, Albania’s traditions differ widely from those of its neighbors, and this distinctive civilization has intrigued many expatriates since the country opened its borders in the 1990s. English teachers are in high demand here, and native English speakers will have little trouble finding employment in this field.
Seven languages and dialects are recognized in Albania; of these, Albanian is official throughout the country. A unique language, occupying its own independent branch of the Indo-European language family, it is divided into two main dialects, Gheg and Tosk, and several sub-dialects which may not be mutually comprehensible with one another. Tosk is predominantly spoken in the south of the country, and is used as the national standard, while Gheg is used in the north. Greek and Italian are the most common second languages, and there is a growing population of English-speakers as well.
Links
Country Info:
BBC News Country Profiles: Albania
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Relocation Resources:
US Department of State: Albania Country-Specific Information
Algeria
Algeria is the largest country on the Mediterranean, and the second largest in Africa. Although it has faced many challenges in the struggle to overcome the aftermath of its colonial past, it is emerging as a stable democracy and a leading military power in North Africa.
Algeria’s cultural landscape has seen influence from many civilizations, including the native Berbers, the Carthaginians, the Romans, and the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. The Umayyads brought Islam and the Arabic language to Algeria in the Middle Ages. France waged a long, violent invasion in 1830 that would not be completed for several years, and had a profound impact on Algerian society. The country became an integral part of the French colonial empire, and extensive French settlement led to the emergence of a class of Algerian-born Europeans, called pieds-noir; wealth and political power were concentrated among them, and the wide disparity in quality of life created long-lasting resentment among native Algerians. This culminated in the War of Independence in 1954, one of history’s bloodiest decolonization wars, which ended with a popular vote definitively declaring Algerian sovereignty in 1962.
The Algerian War left long scars on both countries, and Algeria faced many more problems during the ensuing years, including a civil war in the 1990s. But the country has made much progress as well. The literacy rate, under 10% during French occupation, is now at 70% as education is becoming increasingly widespread. Tension between the Arab and Berber ethnic groups have eased with political recognition of and growing access to education in the Berber languages. Women have excellent access to higher education, making up 60% of university students, and dominating the fields of law and medicine. The country has also made inroads in democratization, and considerably eased restrictions on political parties. Algeria has made significant reductions in its foreign debt, and efforts are underway to liberalize trade with the EU.
Algeria retains a negative net migration rate, but this has been slackening in recent years with increases in public safety, education, and health care. Although the comforts of Western living are somewhat rare here, Algerians have developed a reputation for warmth and hospitality, and the country offers a great opportunity to experience Arab and Berber culture, as well as the relics of its rich history. The larger cities, especially on the coast, have kept the cosmopolitan atmosphere of colonial days, and travelers will find several European-style restaurants and clubs. There remain relatively few opportunities for foreigners to work or study in Algeria; however, with increasing openness to trade, the need for English teachers will likely increase considerably.
Standard Arabic is the official language of Algeria, but is used only in writing; conversely, the Algerian Arabic dialect is the most widely spoken language, but is not written. Tamazight languages are spoken by most Berber tribes. French is the most common second language, with a large percentage of fluent speakers and a vast media industry. English, by contrast, is relatively uncommon, and mostly spoken by young people.
Links
Country Info:
National Geographic: Algeria Facts
Language:
Relocation Resources:
Embassy of Algeria in the US – Visa Information
US Department of State: Algeria Country-Specific Information
Andorra
The Principality of Andorra is nestled between France and Spain in the eastern Pyrenees. This cozy microstate is famous for its quiet mountain scenery and high standard of living, and has the second highest life expectancy in the world.
Andorra is the last surviving independent member of the Marca Hispanica, a line of buffer states created by Charlemagne to protect France from Moorish invasions. In 1278 the country’s unique political system was established, with rulership divided between the Spanish Bishop of Urgell and the French head of state. Andorra’s borders have not changed since that time. Owing to its isolated location (even today, there are only two main roads into the country), it has remained largely free from the political and military events that involved the rest of Europe; except for its role as a major smuggling route between France and Spain during World War II, and a brief, somewhat comical, “coup d’état” in 1934, Andorra’s history has been characterized almost exclusively by peace and tranquility. Its citizens instituted a parliamentary democracy in 1993, reducing the co-princes to a symbolic role and allowing the country entry into the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
Primarily a nation of shepherds prior to the 20th century, Andorra has since crafted a thriving tourism industry that accounts for about 80% of the country’s GDP. Roughly 9 million tourists visit Andorra per year — 125 times the total population! — primarily for the country’s excellent skiing and hiking. Numerous large ski resorts exist, as well as qualified, professional ski schools, and during the summer months many trails open up, offering spectacular views and good exercise. Andorra has long been known as a tax haven, and banking and retail sales have become important industries as well; many tourists arrive just to get good deals on items like perfume and furniture. The country has taken significant steps to decrease its isolation, which has tremendously benefitted the tourism industry. Internet access is common, and transportation is widely available from nearby cities in France and Spain.
Expatriates outnumber native Andorrans in their own country, at over 65% of the population. Most of these come from neighboring European countries, especially Spain, Portugal, and France. Andorra has become an especially attractive destination for retirees, owing to the lack of income tax and tranquil surroundings. Work is mostly available in the tourism and banking industries…although, for a less conventional approach, one could always buy a few sheep and settle down in a quiet farming village.
Catalan is the official language of Andorra, although French and (Castilian) Spanish are both widely spoken throughout the country. There are a large number of English and Portuguese speakers as well, especially in the tourism industry, and it shouldn’t be much of a problem navigating a short stay using one of these languages.
Links
Country Info:
BBC News Country Profiles: Andorra
Language:
Relocation Resources:
Andorra Embassy Information
Note: Travelers to Andorra must pass through Spain or France, and will need to make appropriate arrangements for entering those countries. Please see the Relocation Resources links of the corresponding articles for more information.
US Department of State: Andorra Country-Specific Information
Culture of Andorra at EveryCulture.com
Job Listings at Andorramania.com (Catalan, French, and Spanish)
Angola
Angola is located in south-central Africa, bordering Namibia, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Recently emerging from four decades of warfare, this country has begun the long process of reconstruction, and become the second-fastest growing economy in Africa.
Numerous African kingdoms, including Kongo, Ndongo, and Lunda, inhabited the territory of modern-day Angola before European colonization. The Portuguese arrived in 1483 and over the next 400 years gradually expanded their influence in the region through political pressure and military force. The colony’s borders were fixed in 1885, and Angola became a Portuguese overseas province in 1951. Only ten years later the Angolan War of Independence erupted, and wasn’t completed until 1975, when the Carnation Revolution in Portugal offered an opportunity for Angolan insurgents to declare their country independent. This, however, would not be the end of bloodshed in Angola. A civil war among the various revolutionary groups soon followed, and quickly escalated into a major proxy war, with different factions backed by the US, USSR, and China. It outlasted the Cold War, finally ending with the military and political victory of the MPLA party in 2002, at a cost of approximately 500,000 lives.
The end of the long civil war has been a tremendous boon to Angolan society, and prompted a boom in investment and GDP growth. However, the country is still considered to be in a state of humanitarian crisis. Poverty is widespread, and access to education is limited for much of Angola’s population. Unexploded minefields are a significant problem throughout much of the country. And despite large oil deposits, providing substantial impetus to the economy, over half of Angola’s reserves are located in the exclave province of Cabinda, still experiencing a breakaway insurgency which, needless to say, inhibits production efforts.
Despite these many obstacles, Angola has attracted some immigration in recent decades. Four million people displaced by the war have returned to their homes, which has led to a major increase in agricultural production. Missionary groups have resumed operations in the interior as well, and a small number of adventurous tourists have begun visiting the country: attractions include the burgeoning capital Luanda, scenic Mussolo Island, and numerous spots of natural beauty and indigenous cultural value. Luanda offers an increasing variety of job opportunities; development and volunteer work are widely available throughout the country. Teachers may be particularly in demand, as the Angolan education system is rather short-staffed.
English is not widely spoken in Angola, so travelers will definitely want to learn some Portuguese before visiting. It is the first language of about two thirds of the population, and many more learn it as a second language. The local dialect features similarities to both European and Brazilian Portuguese, with some influence from the Bantu languages spoken by the rest of the population. The latter are first languages to about 40% of Angolans, and of them the most common are Kimbundu, Umbundu, and Kikongo.
Links
Country Info:
National Geographic: Angola Facts
Language:
Linguaguide: Portuguese Resources
Wikipedia: Portuguese Language
Wikipedia: Languages of Angola
Relocation Resources:
Embassy of Angola in Washington, DC
Antigua and Barbuda
Situated in the Lesser Antilles, this nation comprises both the eponymous islands and a number of smaller islets. With its warm, equatorial climate and miles of sunny Caribbean coastline, Antigua and Barbuda has been a major tourist destination for decades.
Native American groups including the Ciboney, the Arawaks, and the Caribs have inhabited Antigua and Barbuda since at least 2900 BCE; the Arawakan name for Antigua, Wadadli, is still commonly used by locals. They were among the first islands discovered by Columbus during his second voyage in 1493, after which Antigua and Barbuda became possessions of Spain. The country went through a period of French rule before finally passing to the English, who instituted large-scale commercial sugar farming powered by intensive slave labor. This period saw a major demographic shift in the islands, as the ravages of slavery and newly-introduced diseases nearly wiped out the native population. Thousands of West African slaves were imported to replace indigenous labor, and became the ancestors of the majority of Antigua and Barbuda’s people. Slavery was abolished in 1832, and the country gained a degree of administrative freedom in 1967, but did not attain full independence until 1981.
Today Antigua and Barbuda is a federal parliamentary democracy, and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Caribbean Community. The majority of its roughly 85,000 people live on Antigua, the largest and most developed of the Leeward Islands. Tourism is the predominant industry, earning more than half the country’s GDP, and supported by Antigua’s many pristine beaches and quality seaside resorts. The capital, St. John’s, is renowned for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and excellent shopping, and is also a regional financial hub, with branch offices of several major international banks. Barbuda is much smaller, with only around 1,500 residents, and a local economy dominated by sand mining; it attracts a small, but steady stream of visitors, most of them ecotourists and vacationers seeking a quieter, more isolated environment than fast-paced St. John’s.
Antigua’s thriving economy and plentiful job prospects have attracted many immigrants from surrounding Caribbean nations in the past few decades; there are also small groups of immigrants from East Asia and the Middle East. In addition, the island is home to one of the largest communities of US citizens in the East Caribbean. Although an increasing number of Antiguans are choosing to live abroad, the country’s pleasant tropical climate and safe, fairly crime-free society have made it a very popular destination among retirees and wealthy Westerners, and a number of celebrities own vacation homes here.
English is the official language of Antigua and Barbuda, spoken by the majority of the populace, and all government and education is done in the Standard British dialect. In addition, many locals speak Antiguan Creole, a distinct language combining English and African influences; learning a few phrases might be a good way to impress friends back home. Spanish has many speakers as well, mostly among immigrants from the Dominican Republic.
Links
Country Info:
Official Website of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda
Wikipedia: Antigua and Barbuda
Language:
Relocation Resources:
Antigua and Barbuda at Wikitravel
US Department of State: Antigua and Barbuda Country-Specific Information
The High Commission of Antigua and Barbuda: Tourism, Travel, Business…
Argentina
From fast-paced urban centers like the capital, Buenos Aires, to the rugged Pampas where self-reliant gauchos still live off the land, Argentina has something to offer every modern explorer. This country is the second largest in South America, and boasts the region’s second highest Human Development Index ranking and GDP PPP per capita.
Situated along the southern-jutting arm of South America, Argentina sports a range of natural climates, from the subtropical Gran Chaco region in the north to the arid steppes of Patagonia in the south. The Pampas, or fertile lowlands, cover much of the Argentine interior, and are the center of the country’s export-driven agricultural sector. The Andes dominate western Argentina, and form the natural border with Chile. Climbers the world over migrate here to challenge Cerro Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas. Other scenes of natural beauty include the majestic Iguazú Falls in the northeast and the temperate Atlantic coast, a favorite vacation destination.
The cultural landscape is even more diverse; since the first Spanish settlers arrived in the 16th century, Argentina’s history has been characterized by waves of immigration from all over Europe and, more recently, Asia and the Middle East. The result is a true melting pot with entertainments to satisfy any taste. Television stations broadcast performances from the world-renowned Colón Theater back-to-back with games of pato, the national sport. Locals enjoy Native American staple foods such as humitas and yerba mate while listening to the Argentine rock bands popular throughout the continent. Needless to say, tango, an Argentine innovation, is wildly popular, and clubs devoted to it can be found in any major city; classes are also widely available, and can be a great way to make new acquaintances.
Although agriculture still plays a major role in Argentina’s economy, earning over half of its foreign exchange, manufacturing has become the country’s single largest sector. Oil and natural gas are important as well. Despite widespread economic hurdles and the current global financial crisis, Argentina has maintained a relatively high economic standard in the region, and several industries are experiencing growth. The telecommunications sector is thriving, and mining exports have skyrocketed in the past two decades. Tourism, both international and domestic, is growing rapidly as well; hot spots include ocean-front resorts in Mar del Plata, the wine region of Mendoza, skiing in Bariloche, and the Jujuy Province with its rich Amerindian culture.
Spanish is the official language of Argentina; with over 33 million speakers, it is the fourth largest Spanish speaking country in the world. Most Argentines refer to their language as castellano, or Castilian, when speaking to one another, but the local dialects differ significantly from those spoken in Spain. The most common is called Rioplatense; originating in the region surrounding Buenos Aires, it is noted for its similarity to Italian. This isn’t surprising, as Italian is the second most widely spoken language in Argentina. Other languages with a significant number of speakers include Arabic, German, Guaraní and Quechua (both indigenous languages), Portuguese, and English; additionally, lunfardo, the colorful slang of Buenos Aires, has influenced spoken Spanish throughout Argentina to a high degree, and may provide an interesting challenge for foreigners.
Links
Country Info:
Official Website of the Argentine Republic
Language:
Linguaguide: Spanish Resources
Wikipedia: Rioplatense Spanish
Relocation Information:
U.S. Department of State: Argentina Country-Specific Information
Living in Argentina (PDF file)
Argentine government publication – very informative!
National Migration Direction
Argentine immigration authority.
Argentine Real Estate Chamber (in Spanish)
Country-wide property search engine.
Monster Latin America (in Spanish)
Local job board.
Armenia
Armenia is located in the South Caucasus, straddling Eastern Europe and West Asia. This mountainous former Soviet republic boasts a growing economy, emerging democracy, and increasing presence in the international arena.
Armenians are proud of their ancient country, which became the first in the world to officially adopt Christianity in 301–79 years before Rome. Several Armenian Kingdoms arose throughout history as the region was absorbed by and split from various polities; by the beginning of the 20th century, the country was largely divided between the Russian and Ottoman Empires. Conflict between these two powers during World War I fueled anti-Armenian sentiment in Turkey, and led to the infamous Armenian Genocide. Although never officially recognized by Turkey and its allies, it remains a major stumbling block in Turko-Armenian relations, and instigated a large-scale diaspora that has created Armenian communities around the globe. Russian Armenia took advantage of the Bolshevik Revolution to declare independence, but was annexed, along with Turkish Armenia, by the USSR in 1920.
Armenia regained its independence in 1991. Since then the country has seen a mixture of successes and challenges. The collapse of the Soviet-era industrial economy resulted in a return to one centered on agriculture; despite consistent growth, Armenia has not entirely recovered from this. Trade is hampered by closed borders with neighboring Turkey and Azerbaijan, the latter of whom Armenia has yet to reach a permanent solution with regarding the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, claimed by Azerbaijan but inhabited by ethnic Armenians. Armenia has joined numerous international organizations since its independence, including the WTO, Council of Europe, and the CIS. International observers have often criticized its electoral process since 1995, but this has been changing since the elections of 2008, widely hailed as free and fair. Armenia is also attributed with a considerable degree of economic freedom by the Heritage Foundation.
Armenians abroad have become a tremendous source of investment and skilled labor to Armenia. Returning foreign-born Armenians probably constitute the largest immigrant group in the country, which is experiencing an increasing, though still negative, population growth rate. Numerous programs exist to attract diasporans back to their homeland for work, study, and volunteerism; as a result, there are several organizations working in English who can facilitate a long-term move to Armenia, some of whom are included in the links section below. Armenians have a reputation as warm hosts, and many are only too glad to share their nation’s rich culture and history with visiting foreigners.
Armenian occupies its own branch of the Indo-European language family, and is written with its own distinct alphabet. By far the most commonly spoken language in the country, it is divided into two main dialects and several sub-dialects which might prove difficult for foreigners, although most Armenians can understand them easily enough. Of the few minority languages present, Kurdish is most common. Russian is used as a second language by a large portion of the population, but English has slowly been gaining popularity as well; encouraging this process professionally might be a good way to fund your Armenian adventure.
Links
Country Info:
Language:
Relocation Resources:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
US Department of State: Armenia Country-Specific Information
Australia
Although it’s the world’s smallest continent, Australia is a big destination for foreign travelers. The world’s sixth largest country, Australia boasts a technologically advanced, multi-cultural society, and is famous for its natural beauty and distinctive wildlife.
First settled by the ancestors of todays aboriginal Australians almost 50,000 years ago, Australia had long been known to Indonesian traders when it was first discovered by Europeans in 1606. Dutch and British explorers, including Willem Janszoon and James Cook, mapped the new continent’s coastline over the next 200 years, and in 1770 Great Britain colonized New South Wales, establishing a settlement at Port Jackson in 1788. Although popularly remembered for its penal colonies, free settlers actually outnumbered prisoners in Australia; the colonies attracted large numbers of immigrants, particularly during the gold rush of the 1850s. A total of six colonies were established on Australia, which gradually instituted self-governance, and became a federal Commonwealth in 1901. During the 20th century, Australia saw increasing independence from British rule, culminating in the Australia Acts of 1985 and 1986, and implemented measures to promote and liberalize immigration.
Now an independent Commonwealth nation, Australia is a leading global economy with high rankings in several measures of national performance, coming in third in the UN’s 2007 Human Development Index and first in the 2008 Legatum Prosperity Index. Exports are driven by agriculture and natural resources, while services are the largest contributor to overall GDP. Australia is one of the most unique travel destinations in the world; around four million tourists arrive annually, drawn to environments ranging from the austere beauty of the Outback to the major cultural centers of Sydney and Melbourne. Beaches are plentiful, many of them popular among surfers. Due to its geologic age and geographic isolation, Australia is home to a huge number of endemic species. For many tourists, the chance to see one-of-a-kind animals like the koala and kangaroo in their natural habitat is alone reason enough to visit.
Despite ongoing debate about its social and ecological effects, Australia’s immigration rate is growing, a fact which is attributable to excellent economic and living conditions. While the British Isles have historically been the source of most Australian immigrants, and remain so today, a growing population of emigrants from Asia and elsewhere in Europe are present as well. Australia has a unique working holiday visa program, available to citizens of certain countries, allowing individuals aged 18-30 to remain in the country for 12 months with limited employment opportunities; this is an excellent way to fund an extended vacation or backpacking trip. Additionally, there are numerous volunteer opportunities in Australia, many centering on environmental preservation and restoration.
English in Australia is mostly based on the British model. The local accent may prove somewhat difficult for North American English speakers, but there is relatively little dialectical variation, except in isolated rural areas. There are many minority and indigenous languages, but outside of their respective communities, bilingualism is relatively uncommon.
Links
Country Info:
Language:
Relocation Resources:
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
US Department of State: Australia Country-Specific Information
Austria
From Mozart to Freud, Austria’s contributions to the cultural enrichment of our world are second to none. This Central European nation boasts one of the world’s highest standards of living and a long history as a major European power.
The foundations of the modern Austrian state were laid in 976, when the country was created as an archduchy within the Holy Roman Empire. In the 13th century Austria passed into the hands of the Habsburgs, who would rule it for the next 700 years. This aristocratic family built a vast empire of territorial holdings throughout Europe, with Austria as its center. By the 19th century, they had become one of the dominant political forces on the continent, a position they formalized with the creation of the Austrian Empire in 1804. This grew to include Hungary in 1867; it developed into a large, multi-cultural society, but suffered from ethnic and nationalist strife, which led to the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, and catalyzed World War I. The Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolved at the end of the war amid resurgent nationalist movements in its constituent territories; the newly independent and severely weakened Austrian Republic was annexed by Germany during World War II and subsequently occupied by the victorious Allied Powers. However, through careful political maneuvering, including a constitutional declaration of permanent neutrality, Austria managed to evade the partitioning and long-term foreign administration Germany suffered, and regained its sovereignty in 1955.
Today’s Austria is one of the world’s ten richest countries, as measured by GDP per capita, and is characterized by an endearing mixture of modernity and tradition. Its stable, developed economy relies on advanced industry and tourism, the latter of which derives equally from Austria’s urbane city life and pristine countryside. Visitors to Vienna find that it still holds its place as one of Europe’s greatest cultural centers, with plenty of museums, galleries, and theaters. Classical music and other aristocratic traditions are the Austrian way of life, and the State Opera and annual Opera Ball continue to draw millions of visitors each year.
Long a pluralistic society, Austria still attracts large numbers of immigrants. Most expatriates come from surrounding Eastern and Central European countries, but there are large numbers of Western Europeans, North Americans, and Turkish citizens as well. Jobs are plentiful; most positions will require fluency in German, but it is very easy to get unskilled tourism and hospitality work with a good command of English. Austria also offers numerous academic opportunities, and visiting is a must for students of music, art, and architecture.
Austrian German differs considerably from most other German dialects, but is quite similar to Bavarian. A written standard, it is seldom spoken by Austrians, who instead rely more often on local dialects which may be quite dissimilar from one another. If this situation proves too taxing for your German skills, you’ll be happy to discover that English fluency is widespread among Austrians. Slovene, Croatian, and Hungarian are spoken as minority languages, and are co-official in their respective ranges.
Links
Country Info:
BBC News Country Profiles: Austria
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Relocation Resources:
US Department of State: Austria Country-Specific Information
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