Styria

Styria, or Steiermark in German, is one of Austria’s nine federal states, located in the southeast of the country. The capital and largest city is Graz. The state covers about 16,400 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 1.2 to 1.3 million. The official language is German. A portion of historic Styria is now in Slovenia, in the region commonly referred to as Slovenian Styria.

Geography and economy

Styria is predominantly alpine and hilly, situated in the eastern Alps with extensive forests, valleys, and agricultural land. Notable natural areas include the Gesäuse National Park and the Erzberg iron ore region near Eisenerz. The climate ranges from warm in the southern wine areas to cooler and more alpine at higher elevations. The economy is diverse, with manufacturing and automotive components centered around Graz, metal processing, and mining. Agriculture is important in the southern wine belt, producing wine, pumpkin seed oil, apples, and other products that reflect the region’s varied terroir.

History

The name derives from the medieval Duchy of Styria, which became a crown land of the Habsburgs within the Holy Roman Empire and later the Austrian Empire. After World War I, the Treaty of Saint-Germain partitioned the historic duchy; the northern part remained in Austria as the modern state of Styria, while the southern portion became part of the newly formed kingdoms of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (now Slovenia). The Slovenian portion is commonly referred to as Slovenian Styria.

Administration and culture

Styria is governed by a Landeshauptmann and a state government seated in Graz. The state hosts the University of Graz, one of Austria’s oldest universities, and a range of cultural institutions. Major towns include Graz, Leoben, Kapfenberg, Bruck an der Mur, and Deutschlandsberg. The region is noted for its culinary products, including pumpkin seed oil, and for scenic destinations such as its wine country and alpine areas.