Editing Vorarlberg (section)

==Economy and infrastructure==

=== Location ===
[[File:Mohrenbrauerei Dornbirn.JPG|thumb|[[Mohrenbrauerei|Mohren brewery]] in [[Dornbirn]]]]
For several years, the Vorarlberg economy has been performing well above the Austrian average. At roughly 66%, its export ratio is the highest among all of Austria's states. While the overall Austrian GDP in 2004 rose by 2.0% in real terms, Vorarlberg recorded an increase of 2.9%. This came as a surprise, particularly as the major trading partners in Germany and Italy did not fare well. Owing to this robust economic performance, Vorarlberg was able to boost its gross regional product in 2014 to 15.2 billion euros according to the Economic Policy Department of the Vorarlberg Chamber of Trade. This translates into a nominal increase of 3.4% (cf Austria as a whole +5.2%).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wko.at/Content.Node/Interessenvertretung/Daten--Fakten--Zahlen/v/VIZ2015_Web.pdf|title=Vorarlberg in Figures 2016 Edition|last=Chamber of Commerce Vorarlberg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804052415/https://www.wko.at/Content.Node/Interessenvertretung/Daten--Fakten--Zahlen/v/VIZ2015_Web.pdf|archive-date=2016-08-04|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-02-24}}</ref> The [[Gross domestic product]] (GDP) of the state was 19.1 billion € in 2018, accounting for 4.9% of the Austria's economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was €43,000  or 143% of the EU27 average in the same year. Vorarlberg is the state with the third highest GDP per capita in Austria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10474907/1-05032020-AP-EN.pdf/81807e19-e4c8-2e53-c98a-933f5bf30f58|title=Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018|website=Eurostat}}</ref> Vorarlberg and especially the Rhine Valley is one of the wealthiest areas in the world, with a very high standard of living. 
By far the biggest company in Vorarlberg is [[Alpla]] (plastic packaging), followed by [[Julius Blum|Blum]], Grass, [[Gebrüder Weiss]] (transport and logistics), [[Zumtobel Group]] (lighting systems), [[Doppelmayr Garaventa Group|Doppelmayr]] (cablecars), [[Rauch (company)|Rauch]] (beverages) and [[Wolford]] (textiles).

Currently, five breweries are located in Vorarlberg: [[Mohrenbrauerei|Mohrenbrauerei August Huber]] (in [[Dornbirn]], since 1834),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvthek.orf.at/profile/Gute-Nacht-Oesterreich/13890803/Gute-Nacht-Oesterreich/14025645https://ltw.at/index.php/de/mohrenbrauerei.html|title=Mohrenbrauerei – Baujahr 2017{{!}} Dornbirn/Österreich|website=LTW Intralogistics|access-date=2019-09-13}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Brauerei Fohrenburg]] (in [[Bludenz]], since 1881),<ref>{{Cite web|title=– Brauerei Fohrenburg GmbH & CO KGLehre im Walgau|url=https://www.lehre-im-walgau.at/unternehmen/brauerei-fohrenburg-gmbh-co-kg/|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Lehre im Walgau|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Brauerei Egg]] (in [[Egg, Austria|Egg]], since 1894), Vorarlberger Brauereigenosschenschaft – Brauerei Frastanz (in [[Frastanz]], since 1902), Grabhers Sudwerk (in [[Bregenz]], since 2016).

Overall, the economic expansion of Vorarlberg is "very positive and for the future rated more dynamic than for the other states".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vorarlberg.at/pdf/vorarlbergerwirtschaftsl1.pdf|title=Leitbild 2010+ / Wirtschaft / Vorarlberg|date=2018-08-14|access-date=14 August 2018|archive-date=26 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226031655/http://www.vorarlberg.at/pdf/vorarlbergerwirtschaftsl1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Vorarlberg plans to be self-sufficient in energy by 2050.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Living Space Vorarlberg |url=https://www.vorarlberg.travel/en/living-space-vorarlberg-2/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Urlaub in Vorarlberg |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Agriculture ===
In addition to the flourishing textile, clothing, electronics, machinery and packing materials industries of the [[Alpine Rhine|Alpine Rhine Valley]], there is also a broad agricultural base, especially in the [[Bregenzerwald]] (Bregenzerwald), which is known for its dairy products and tourism.

==== Alpine transhumance and cheese production ====
[[File:Kufstein Almabtrieb 2005.jpg|alt=Retrieving cattle from high pastures in the Alps is a social highlight for tourists and residents.|thumb|[[Almabtrieb]], the movement of cattle from the high pastures to the villages. This tradition is popular with tourists.]]
The three-level movement farming ("Dreistufenwirtschaft") is essential to the economy of the mountainous regions in Vorarlberg. It is also known as [[Alpine transhumance]] and describes a seasonal [[droving]] of grazing [[livestock]] between the valleys in winter and the high mountain [[pasture]]s in summer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bregenzerwald (Bregenz Forest)|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/27/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Vorderhopfreben Üntschenspitze 1.jpg|thumb|300x300px|Vorderhopfreben/Üntschenspitze in [[Au, Vorarlberg|Au]]-[[Schoppernau]] as an example for the agricultural use of the mountainous region]]
Alpine transhumance has a strong impact on the production of cheese in the Alps. It ensures that the cattle produces high-quality aromatic milk, the so-called ''[[Haymilk|Heumilch]]'' ("hay milk"), based on its special diet of natural meadow grass in comparison to [[silage]]. The use of hay milk in cheese production contributes to the distinctive flavour that determines more than 30 Alpine cheeses, including [[Vorarlberger Alpkäse]], [[Vorarlberger Bergkäse]], [[Großwalsertaler Bergkäse]], and [[Sura Kees]].<ref name="KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald">{{Cite news|title=KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald|url=https://www.vorarlberg.travel/poi/kaesestrasse-bregenzerwald/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Urlaub in Vorarlberg|language=de-DE}}</ref>

With the aim to support and preserve the local dairy production and the traditional agricultural heritage, the [[KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald|Bregenzerwald Cheese Route]] was founded in 1998. It is an organisation which connects farmers, traders and craftsmen. Along the cheese route, visitors are invited to watch the cheese production process and participate in culinary tastings.<ref name="KäseStrasse Bregenzerwald"/>

Many cultural habits like [[Yodel]], [[Alphorn]] or [[Schwingen]] were developed during this time. This seasonal [[nomad]]ism led to the rich culture, architecture and love for nature found in Vorarlberg. A significant cultural icon unique to this area is the festive movement of cattle from the pastures to the villages in autumn. This tradition is especially popular with tourists.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2014-04-08|title=Montafoner Maisäß – Teil 1|url=https://huetten.wanderdoerfer.at/magazin/montafoner-maisas/|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Das Wanderdörfer Hüttenportal|language=de}}</ref>

=== Energy sector ===
The energy sector is one of the founders of Vorarlberg's economy, in which hydropower is the most important source of energy. This is mainly used for the production of peak current. Vorarlberg was the first region in Europe where more sustainable energy was produced than consumed. Green electricity from Vorarlberg is therefore also sold to the German Westallgäu, to Switzerland and to other Austrian provinces. The largest electricity producer in Vorarlberg is illwerke VKW. They produce 75% of the electricity in Vorarlberg, mainly by hydropower.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.illwerke.at/|title=Vorarlberger Illwerke AG|website=Vorarlberger Illwerke AG|language=de-AT|access-date=2018-08-14}}</ref>[[File:Fachhochschule Vorarlberg 1.jpg|thumb|200x200px|University of Applied Sciences in [[Dornbirn]]]]

=== Education ===
Two higher education institutions in Vorarlberg are the ''[[Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences]]'' ({{langx|de|[[Fachhochschule]] Vorarlberg|links=no}}) in [[Dornbirn]] and the {{ill|University College of Teacher Education Vorarlberg|de|Pädagogische Hochschule Vorarlberg}} (German: ''[[School of education|Pädagogische Hochschule]] Vorarlberg'') in [[Feldkirch, Vorarlberg|Feldkirch]].

Originally founded as a technical school in 1989, the Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences achieved the status of an officially recognized university in 1999. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees in business, engineering and technology, design and social work. About 1350 students have enrolled for the term 2018/19.<ref>{{Cite web|title=FH Vorarlberg – University of Applied Sciences|url=https://www.fhv.at/en/|access-date=2019-02-08|website=www.fhv.at}}</ref> The Fachhochschule Vorarlberg is considered one of Austria's best applied universities in the field of technology.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Universities in Austria {{!}} 2019 Austrian University Ranking|url=https://www.4icu.org/at/|access-date=2019-02-08|website=www.4icu.org}}</ref>

[[File:PH Vorarlberg.jpg|thumb|The University College of Teacher Education Vorarlberg in [[Feldkirch, Vorarlberg|Feldkirch]]]]
The University College of Teacher Education Vorarlberg was founded in 2007<ref>{{Cite web|title=PH Vorarlberg: Profil und Geschichte|url=https://www.ph-vorarlberg.ac.at/hochschule/ueber-uns/profil-geschichte}}</ref> and offers bachelor's and master's degrees in primary and secondary education.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PH Vorarlberg: Studium|url=https://www.ph-vorarlberg.ac.at/studium/}}</ref> It administers its own elementary and middle school, in which students from the university can complete their student teaching.<ref>{{Cite web|title=PH Vorarlberg: Praxisschulen|url=https://www.ph-vorarlberg.ac.at/hochschule/praxisschulen/}}</ref>
{{Advert|date=March 2025}}
The vai Vorarlberger Architektur Institut is an interface in the field of [https://www.davosdeclaration2018.ch Baukultur]. It brings together architects and other design professionals and clients with craftspeople and actors from business, academia, the arts, culture and politics and address the issue of architectural quality through exhibitions, events and publications.

For professionals it is a platform for networking and training. For clients and all those interested in cultural issues it offers a source of ideas and inspiration, as well as an initial contact with architecture for children.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Short information in english |url=https://v-a-i.at/ueber-uns/about-us |access-date=2023-09-30 |website=v-a-i.at |language=de}}</ref>

There are currently no exhibitions.

=== Transportation ===

==== Road ====
Vorarlberg is crossed in a north–south direction by a [[Controlled-access highway|motorway]], the [[Rheintal/Walgau Autobahn]] (A14). It connects with the [[Bundesautobahn 96]] at the [[Austria–Germany border]] near [[Hörbranz]] and follows the [[Alpine Rhine Valley]] southwards to [[Feldkirch, Vorarlberg|Feldkirch]]. It then continues south-eastwards along the river [[Ill (Vorarlberg)|Ill]] to [[Bludenz]], where it connects with the [[Arlberg Schnellstraße]] (S16) to [[Tyrol (state)|Tyrol]] over the [[Arlberg]]. The A14 is linked with the [[A13 (Switzerland)|A13 motorway]] in Switzerland via a road that crosses the [[Austria-Switzerland border]] at [[Lustenau]]/[[Au SG|Au]].

==== Rail ====
[[File:ÖBB 4748 005 Sulz-Röthis 2311.jpg|thumb|right|S1 regional train of [[Vorarlberg S-Bahn]]]]
The main line is the [[Vorarlberg railway]] line, which traverses the state in north–south direction and which extends northwards into Germany. South of [[Bregenz]], it connects with the [[St. Margrethen–Lauterach line]], which leads towards Switzerland. In Feldkirch, the main line meets the [[Feldkirch–Buchs railway]] line to [[Liechtenstein]] and Switzerland. The Vorarlberg railway line's southern terminus is [[Bludenz]], where it meets the [[Arlberg Railway]] to [[Tyrol (state)|Tyrol]] and the [[Bludenz–Schruns railway]] (''[[Montafonerbahn]]'') line to [[Schruns]] in the [[Montafon|Montafon Valley]]. Most of these lines are owned and operated by [[Austrian Federal Railways]] (ÖBB). Since December 2023, [[WESTbahn]] also operates between [[Wien Westbahnhof]] and Bregenz. Regional train services are provided by [[Vorarlberg S-Bahn]], with some lines being also part of [[Bodensee S-Bahn]].

There are also two [[heritage railway]] lines: [[Bregenz Forest Railway]] and [[International Rhine Regulation Railway]].

The following is an alphabetical list of Vorarlberg's active [[railway station]]s:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{rws|Altach}}
*{{rws|Altenstadt}}
*{{rws|Bludenz}}
*{{rws|Bludenz-Moos}}
*{{rws|Bregenz}}
*{{rws|Bregenz Hafen}}
*{{rws|Bregenz Riedenburg}}
*{{rws|Brunnenfeld-Stallehr}}
*{{rws|Dornbirn}}
*{{rws|Dornbirn-Schoren}}
*{{rws|Feldkirch}}
*{{rws|Feldkirch Amberg}}
*{{rws|Frastanz}}
*{{rws|Gisingen}}
*{{rws|Götzis}}
*{{rws|Hard-Fussach}}
*{{rws|Haselstauden}}
*{{rws|Hatlerdorf}}
*{{rws|Hohenems}}
*{{rws|Kaltenbrunnen}}
*{{rws|Klaus in Vorarlberg}}
*{{rws|Langen am Arlberg}}
*{{rws|Lauterach}}
*{{rws|Lauterach Unterfeld}}
*{{rws|Lochau-Hörbranz}}
*{{rws|Lorüns}}
*{{rws|Ludesch}}
*{{rws|Lustenau}}
*{{rws|Nenzing}}
*{{rws|Nüziders}}
*{{rws|Rankweil}}
*{{rws|Schlins-Beschling}}
*{{rws|Schruns}}
*{{rws|Schwarzach in Vorarlberg}}
*{{rws|St. Anton im Montafon}}
*{{rws|Sulz-Röthis}}
*{{rws|Tisis}}
*{{rws|Tschagguns}}
*{{rws|Vandans}}
*{{rws|Wolfurt}}
{{div col end}}

In addition, there are five defunct railway stations on the Arlberg Railway line: {{rws|Braz}}, {{rws|Dalaas}}, {{rws|Hintergasse}}, {{rws|Klösterle}} and {{rws|Wald am Arlberg}}.