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Styria

Austrian state

  • 10 min read
  • 9 chapters

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Through World War I

The state had a population of 1,271,716 on 1 January 2025. Graz is the political, economic and educational centre of the state, while other important towns include Leoben, Kapfenberg, Bruck an der Mur, Judenburg, Knittelfeld, Weiz, Hartberg, Fürstenfeld and Leibnitz.

Styria is geographically diverse. The northern and northwestern parts, commonly known as Upper Styria (German: Obersteiermark), are mountainous. The central and southern parts of the state include the Graz Basin, hill country, agricultural areas, vineyards and thermal-spring regions. Styria is popularly known as the "Green Heart of Austria".

Historically, Styria developed from the March of Styria, which was named after Steyr in present-day Upper Austria. It became a margraviate in the 11th century and was raised to the Duchy of Styria in 1180. In 1192, under the terms of the Georgenberg Pact, Styria passed to the Babenberg dukes of Austria, linking its history closely with that of Austria. The region later became part of the Habsburg monarchy and, together with Carinthia and Carniola, formed a core part of Inner Austria.

The historic duchy was larger than the modern Austrian state. After World War I, southern Styria, including the cities of Maribor, Celje and Ptuj, was separated from Austria and became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later Yugoslavia and now Slovenia. This region is commonly known in English as Slovenian Styria or Lower Styria.

Styria is one of Austria's major industrial and research regions. Its economy includes manufacturing, mechanical engineering, automotive supply industries, metallurgy, wood processing, environmental technology, agriculture and tourism. The Graz area is a major centre of universities, research institutions and high-technology industries, while Upper Styria has a long association with mining, iron and steel production. Southern and eastern Styria are noted for wine, fruit growing, spas and culinary tourism.

Name

The March of Styria derived its name from the original seat of its ruling Otakar dynasty: Steyr, in today's Upper Austria, which in turn derives its name from the namesake river of Steyr, stemming from the Celtic Stiria. In the native German the area is still called "Steiermark", while in English the Latin name "Styria" is used. Until the late 19th century however, the German name "Steyer", a slightly modernized spelling of Steyr, was also common. The ancient link between the city of Steyr and Styria is also apparent in their nearly identical coats of arms, a white Panther on a green background. Styria is also popularly known as the "Green March", owing to it being the most forested of all the Austrian states, or as the "Iron Margraviate" for its long heritage of manufacturing and engineering.

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