Vorarlberg

Vorarlberg is the westernmost federal state of Austria. It lies in the Alps, with the border to Switzerland to the west and south and to the Principality of Liechtenstein to the southwest; to the east it borders Tyrol. The northern boundary runs along parts of Lake Constance and the Rhine river, which mark the border with Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Its capital and largest city is Bregenz. Other large towns include Dornbirn, Feldkirch, and Bludenz. The state covers about 2,600 square kilometers and has a population around 400,000. The landscape is dominated by the Alpine mountains and the Rhine Valley; Lake Constance lies to the north.

German is the official language; the local vernacular Vorarlbergisch is part of the Alemannic dialect family and is widely spoken alongside standard German.

Historically, Vorarlberg was inhabited in ancient times and formed part of the Roman province of Noricum. In the early modern era it belonged to the Habsburg possessions as part of Further Austria. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Vorarlberg joined the Republic of Austria in 1919.

The economy is diversified, with industry, services, and a strong tourism sector. Vorarlberg is known for its textile and mechanical engineering industries, as well as for alpine tourism in areas such as the Montafon and the Bregenzerwald. Cultural life centers on Lake Constance, with the Bregenz Festival attracting international visitors. The Pfänder mountain in Bregenz offers panoramic views and a cable car connection.