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.

At the same time, Bavarians under Frankish domination began to expand their area to the south and east, ultimately absorbing the Slavic population.

After the demise of the Babenberg dynasty (to which Leopold belonged), Styria came briefly under the control of Hungary and later Bohemia.

As a result of the turbulence of two world wars, the German-speaking population of Lower Styria, which had mainly been concentrated in the cities, particularly the so-called "Festungsdreieck" (fortress-triangle) of Maribor (Marburg an der Drau), Celje (Cilli) and Ptuj (Pettau) migrated from the region or was expelled.

The federal state's gross domestic product (GDP) was 49.6 billion € in 2018, accounting for 12.9% of Austria's economic output.

This equals 8 percent of the gross regional product (GRP) and is one of the highest concentrations of leading clean technology companies in Europe.

Formula One once again returned to the circuit, now renamed the Red Bull Ring, in 2014 and has been held at the track every year since.

Despite opinion polling suggesting a victory for the ruling ÖVP, the KPÖ became the largest party with 28.8% of votes and 15 seats.

[10] On November 13, 2021, the KPÖ, the Greens and the SPÖ announced their coalition: Graz gets a communist mayor with Elke Kahr.

In these elections, the KPÖ also received many votes after it had gained much popularity through its role in local politics in Graz during the preceding years.