Stiria

Stiria, known in German as Steiermark, is a state (Bundesland) of Austria located in the southeastern part of the country. Its capital and largest city is Graz. The state covers about 16,400 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 1.25 million, making it one of Austria’s more populous regions.

Geography and landscape include a mix of Alpine terrain in the west and south and the eastern Styrian Basin. The western and southern areas encompass mountain ranges such as the Hochschwab and parts of the Gesäuse, while the Mur River flows through Graz and onward toward the Danube. The Gesäuse National Park is a notable protected area within the state. Stiria borders Slovenia to the south and also shares boundaries with several Austrian states, including Upper Austria, Lower Austria, and Carinthia.

Economy and culture are diverse, with manufacturing, engineering, and services forming the base of the economy, complemented by agricultural activity in the southeast. Wine production and pumpkin seed oil are traditional specialties of Styrian cuisine. The region is an educational and cultural hub, anchored by the University of Graz. Graz’s historic old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting the area’s architectural and cultural heritage.

History and government: Historically part of the Duchy of Styria within the Habsburg Monarchy, the modern state emerged after the end of World War I. Stiria is one of Austria’s nine federal states and is governed by a governor (Landeshauptmann) and a state legislature (Landtag).