AUSTRIA, REPUBLIC OF, the terri tory which formed the nucleus of the former Austro-Hungarian empire, and known as the Archduchy of Austria, occu pying both sides of the valley of the Danube, between the Salzach and Inn on the W., which form the boundary with Bavaria to the S. of the Danube, and the March and Leitha on the E., which form together the greater part of the boundary with Hungary; divided into the crown lands of Upper and Lower Austria, the boundary between which, S. of the Dan ube, is partly formed by the lower Enns; chief towns, Vienna in Lower, Linz, in Upper, Austria. The surface for the most part is mountainous or hilly, but sinking down to plains on both sides of the Danube in the E., the Marchfeld on the N. of that river, between Vienna and the March, being remarkably level.
The only special agricultural product that need be mentioned is wine, some choice kinds being produced on the sunny slopes of the Wienerwald. The most im
portant mineral product is the salt of the Salzkammergut, the center of which is Ischl. As regards other minerals, the chief mining districts are Wels in Upper, St. POlten in Lower, Austria, and the principal products, lignite in Upper, and coal, iron ore, lignite, and graphite in Lower, Austria. The principal manufac turing centers in Lower Austria prior to the war were Vienna (miscellaneous), Wiener-Neustadt (cottons, etc.), and, in the W., Waidhofen (iron) ; in Upper Austria, Steyr (iron), and Linz (wool ens, etc.). Originally a margravate, Aus tria was erected into a duchy in 1156, and the title of archduke (borne solely by members of the Hapsburg family) was first formally conferred by imperial letters patent in 1453, though it had pre viously been assumed by some of the Dukes of Austria. See also AUSTRIA HUNGARY.