Switzerland and Austria are two landlocked countries in Central Europe that share a border. The border between these two countries is divided into two distinct portions, with a total length of about 164 to 180 kilometres (110 mi). The shorter, northern segment of the border begins at the tripoint formed by the Austrian-Swiss and German-Swiss borders and continues northward to the Upper Lake Constance. The second, longer portion begins south of Liechtenstein and ends near the Resia Pass, at the geographic tripoint between Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Border length | 164 km or 180 km |
Border regions | Austria – Tyrol, Vorarlberg |
Switzerland – Canton of Graubünden, Canton of St. Gallen | |
Border dates | Established in 1648 (Treaty of Westphalia); current demarcation in 1919 |
Border segments | Two |
Border peculiarity | Divided by Liechtenstein |
Tripoint | Austrian-Swiss-German tripoint located within Upper Lake Constance |
What You'll Learn
The Austria-Switzerland border is 164km long
Austria and Switzerland share a border that is 164 kilometres long. The border between these two countries, which are both landlocked in the centre of Europe, has existed since the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. The current demarcation of the border was established in 1919.
The Austria-Switzerland border is divided into two segments, separated by the Principality of Liechtenstein. The northern segment of the border begins at the Austrian-Swiss-German tripoint located within Upper Lake Constance and continues northward. The second portion of the border begins south of Liechtenstein and ends near the Resia Pass, at the geographic Austrian-Swiss-Italian tripoint, which lies at 2000 metres above sea level.
The course of the border reflects the success of the rivals of the House of Habsburg in limiting the influence of the Habsburg Archdukes of Austria in the original Habsburg domains west of the Rhine in the 14th and 15th centuries. Most of the Alpine part of the border had already been established as the outer border of the Three Leagues in the 15th century, with the exception of the Vinschgau, which remained disputed territory until the 18th century.
The two countries have a history of cross-border cooperation. In 2008, Switzerland and Austria co-hosted the UEFA Euro football tournament. They also share cross-border railway services on two lines crossing the Alpine Rhine.
Austria's Colonization Ambitions: A Historical Perspective
You may want to see also
The border is divided into two segments
The border between Austria and Switzerland is divided into two segments, with a total length of about 164 to 180 kilometres (110 mi). The two countries share a landlocked border in South Central Europe, with Liechtenstein sandwiched between them. The northern segment of the border begins at the Austrian-Swiss-German tripoint within Upper Lake Constance and continues northward. The second, longer, southern portion begins south of Liechtenstein and ends near the Resia Pass, at the geographic Austrian-Swiss-Italian tripoint, which lies at 2000 metres above sea level.
The border's current demarcation came about in 1919, but the border has existed since the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which established Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire. The creation of Liechtenstein in 1719 changed the border's demarcation, dividing it into two distinct portions. The southern stretch runs across the Grison Alps, and the shorter northern stretch follows the Alpine Rhine, except near Diepoldsau and between Lustenau and Lake Constance, where it follows the Old Rhine bed.
The course of the border reflects the success of the rivals of the House of Habsburg in limiting the influence of the Habsburg Archdukes of Austria in the original Habsburg domains west of the Rhine in the 14th and 15th centuries. Most of the Alpine part of the border had already been the outer frontier of the Three Leagues since the 15th century. The Alpine Rhine Valley, on the other hand, has a complicated feudal history, but the territories on its left bank became subject territories of the Swiss Confederacy by the 17th century.
Austria's Anti-Racism Gesture: Taking the Knee
You may want to see also
Liechtenstein separates the two segments
The border between Austria and Switzerland is divided into two segments, separated by the Principality of Liechtenstein. The creation of Liechtenstein in 1719 changed the demarcation of the border, dividing it into two distinct portions. The total length of the border is 180 km (110 mi), with the longer, southern stretch running across the Grison Alps and the shorter northern stretch mostly following the Alpine Rhine.
Liechtenstein is a German-speaking microstate nestled between Switzerland and Austria in Central Europe. It is one of the smallest countries in Europe, covering just over 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and home to about 38,557 people. The entire western border of Liechtenstein is formed by the Rhine River, which also forms part of the Swiss-Austrian border.
The presence of Liechtenstein results in a brief interruption in the border demarcation between Austria and Switzerland. The northern segment of the border begins at the tripoint formed by the meeting of the Austro-Swiss and Germano-Swiss borders. The second, southern portion starts south of Liechtenstein and ends near the Resia Pass, at the geographic tripoint between Austria, Italy, and Switzerland, which lies at 2000 meters above sea level.
The border between Austria and Switzerland has a long history, dating back to the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the Thirty Years' War and established Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire. The current border is a product of the creation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798 and has undergone changes over the centuries due to shifts in political and territorial boundaries.
Austria's Ski Season: When and Where to Go
You may want to see also
The border was established in 1648
Austria and Switzerland do share a border. The border between the two countries is divided into two parts, separated by the Principality of Liechtenstein, with a total length of 180km (110mi) or 164km according to another source. The longer, southern stretch runs across the Grison Alps, and the shorter one follows the Alpine Rhine, except near Diepoldsau and between Lustenau and Lake Constance, where it follows the Old Rhine bed.
In 1719, the birth of Liechtenstein divided the border into two distinct portions. In 1919, the border changed again when South Tyrol was given to Italy following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The current demarcation of the border dates to 1919.
Boost Plans in Austria: Availability and Benefits Explored
You may want to see also
The northern segment begins at the Austrian-Swiss-German tripoint
The Austro-Swiss border is divided into two segments, with the Principality of Liechtenstein landlocked between the two neighbouring countries. The northern segment of the border begins at the Austrian-Swiss-German tripoint, which is located within Upper Lake Constance. This tripoint is formed by the meeting of the Austro-Swiss and Germano-Swiss borders.
The border between Austria and Switzerland has a total length of 180 km (110 mi) or 164 km. The longer, southern stretch runs across the Grison Alps, and the shorter northern stretch follows the Alpine Rhine, except near Diepoldsau and between Lustenau and Lake Constance, where it follows the Old Rhine bed. The northern segment of the border begins at the tripoint, continuing northward to Lake Constance.
The course of the border reflects the success of the rivals of the House of Habsburg in limiting the influence of the Habsburg Archdukes of Austria in the original Habsburg domains west of the Rhine in the 14th and 15th centuries. Most of the Alpine part of the border had already been the outer border of the Three Leagues since the 15th century, with the exception of the Vinschgau, which was acquired by Austria in 1499 and remained a disputed territory into the 18th century.
The border has been in existence since the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the Thirty Years War and established Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire. The creation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798 led to the formation of the current border. In 1719, the birth of Liechtenstein changed the demarcation of the border, dividing it into two distinct portions. In 1919, the border underwent another change when South Tyrol was entrusted to Italy following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Austria-Hungary's Imperialism: Serbia's Loss of Sovereignty
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Austria and Switzerland share a border with a total length of about 164-180 km. The border has existed since the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648.
Switzerland is a landlocked country in West Central Europe. It shares borders with Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy, France, and Germany.
Austria is a landlocked country in South Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.