Styria (Steiermark in German, Štajerska in Slovenian) is a state or Land, located in the south east of Austria. In area, it is the second largest of the nine Austrian states, covering 16,388 km². It borders Slovenia as well as the other Austrian states of Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Burgenland, and Carinthia. The population (as of 2001) was 1,183,303. The capital city is Graz.
The term Obersteiermark ("Upper Styria") used by an Austrian refers to the northern and northwestern parts of the federal state (districts Liezen, Murau, Judenburg, Knittelfeld, Leoben, Bruck an der Mur and Mürzzuschlag). The term Weststeiermark ("West Styria") is used for the districts to the west of Graz (Voitsberg, Deutschlandsberg, western part of the district Leibnitz), the districts east of Graz (Weiz, Hartberg, Feldbach, Fürstenfeld and Radkersburg) are referred to as Oststeiermark ("East Styria"). The western and eastern parts of the district Graz-Umgebung may or may not be considered parts of West and East Styria, respectively. The southern parts of the Duchy of Styria, which have formed part of Slovenia since 1918, were (and sometimes colloquially still are) referred to as Untersteiermark ("Lower Styria").
Hollywood film star and current California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was born and grew up in Styria. 2004's Nobel Laureate in literature, Elfriede Jelinek, was born in Styria. Former tennis player and World No. 1, Thomas Muster, was also born and grew up in Styria. Former Formula 1 champion Jochen Rindt grew up in Graz, the capital of Styria, Austrian and Canadian Businessman Frank Stronach, founder of Magna, was born and grew up in Styria, till he left the country in 1954.
Unicameral state legislature. Seats after election 2005:
Social Democrats: 25 (+6), People´s Party 24 (-3), Communist Party 4 (+4), Greens 3 (0), Freedom Party 0 (-7)
Styria - together with Slovenia and northern Croatia - is a prominent area for splendid white and rosé wines; a spezific brand is Schilcher, a fruity wine cultivated in a small area - you either get addicted or hate it.
Another speciality is oil from pumpkinseeds.
The Styrian kitchen is the Austrian most influenced by the Italian.
The capital Graz is not only statewide, but nationwide an an eminent cultural center. The national Film festival "Diagonale" is seated here, the "Steirische Herbst" is a prominent series of events for innovative art. 2003 it was Cultural Capital of Europe.
