Niederösterreich

Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) is Austria's largest state by area and one of its most populous. It covers about 19,000 square kilometers and has roughly 1.7 million residents. Its capital and seat of the state government is St. Pölten.

Geography: It surrounds Vienna on most sides and borders the Czech Republic to the north and Slovakia to the east. The landscape is diverse, from the forested Waldviertel in the north, the agricultural Mostviertel in the west, to the Danube lowlands in the far east. The Danube River runs through the region, and the Wachau valley along the Danube is a renowned wine-producing and UNESCO World Heritage site.

History and administration: The state has its roots in the Habsburg Monarchy and the Crown Land of Austria. After World War I, it became a constituent state of the First Austrian Republic. In 1986 the capital was moved from Wiener Neustadt to St. Pölten. The state's parliament is the Landtag, and executive authority is held by the governor (Landeshauptmann/Landeshauptfrau).

Economy and culture: Niederösterreich has a diversified economy with agriculture, wine production, tourism, and light industry. The wine regions Kamptal, Kremstal, and the Thermenregion near the Vienna area are notable. The region attracts visitors to monasteries such as Melk Abbey, spa towns like Baden bei Wien, and cultural landscapes in Wachau.

Demographics and transport: The population is predominantly German-speaking. The region has a well-developed transport network, including sections of the A1 West Autobahn, rail lines along the Danube, and connections to Vienna.