Austria And Germany: Sharing A Border And History

The border between Germany and Austria is 784km or 815.9km long, making it Germany's second-longest border with another country and Austria's longest international border. The border was established in 1871 and runs from the Obersee part of Lake Constance in the west to the tripoint of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic in the east. The border separates two German states and four Austrian provinces.

The Austria-Germany border is 815.9km long

The Austria-Germany border was established in 1871 and runs from west to east, separating two German Länder in the south of the country (Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria) from four Austrian provinces in the north-west (Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria). The border begins at Lake Constance (or Bodensee in German), which separates Baden-Württemberg and Austria, and ends at the tripoint of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic in the Bohemian Forest.

The border mostly consists of Alpine mountain ranges, including the Northern Limestone Alps in the west (Allgäu Alps, Ammergau Alps, Wetterstein, Karwendel, Bavarian Prealps, Kaiser Mountains, Chiemgau Alps, and Berchtesgaden Alps) and the Bohemian Forest in the east. While the border does not pass through any significant lakes, it does follow several rivers, including the Danube, Inn, Salzach, and Leiblach.

The Austria-Germany border was confirmed by a treaty between the two countries in 1972, after being defined by agreements between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria in the 19th century. Border controls were removed in 1997 with the Schengen Area, but temporary controls were reinstated in 2015 during the European migrant crisis.

Austria and Germany share a language

Austria and Germany share a border that stretches for over 800 kilometres (500 miles). This border can be crossed at various road and train entry points, including between the cities of Salzburg in Austria and Munich in Germany. The two countries are neighbours and, along with their shared border, they also share a close historical and cultural relationship. One aspect of this shared heritage is the German language, which is the official language of both nations.

A Shared Language

The German language is a key element that binds these two countries together. It is the primary language of over 95% of the population in both Austria and Germany. This shared tongue has a long history in the region and has influenced, and been influenced by, the unique cultures of each country. While there are distinct dialects and regional variations in each country, the language is mutually intelligible across the border.

German is a West Germanic language that has evolved over centuries. It has a rich literary history, with famous writers and poets such as Goethe, Schiller, and Thomas Mann contributing to a shared cultural heritage. The language has also played a significant role in academia, with many important philosophical, scientific, and technical works being published in German. This has helped establish German as a prominent language in higher education and research, with a global reach.

While German is the official language in both countries, there are some differences in usage and vocabulary. Over time, each country has developed unique words and phrases that are specific to their nation. These differences can be a source of pride and cultural identity, and they add a layer of complexity and interest to the shared language. Austrians, for example, are known to use a more formal style of German, retaining some older forms of address and expressions no longer common in Germany.

Language in a Cultural Context

The shared language has facilitated cultural exchange and the spread of ideas between Austria and Germany. It has also allowed for a rich interchange of artistic endeavours, including in film, music, and the performing arts. German-language films, for instance, are often co-productions between the two countries, and German-language music and theatre are enjoyed across the border. This shared language and cultural understanding have helped foster a strong relationship between the two nations, with many cultural events and festivals celebrating this shared heritage.

In conclusion, the shared border between Austria and Germany is not just a geographical feature but also a link between two countries with a deep and intertwined history, of which their shared language is a key component. The German language, with its unique variations in each country, is a powerful bond that continues to influence the cultural landscape of the region.

The border was established in 1871

The border between Austria and Germany was established in 1871. The border is 784 km (498 mi) long, according to some sources, and 815.9 km (507 mi) or 815 km (506.4 mi) long, according to others. It is the longest international border of Austria and the second-longest border of Germany with another country. The border runs from west to east, beginning at Lake Constance, which separates Baden-Württemberg in Germany and Vorarlberg in Austria, and ending at the tripoint of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic in the Bohemian Forest.

The border concerns two German Länder in the south of the country: Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Four Austrian provinces in the northwest of the country are also included: Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria. The border mainly consists of Alpine mountain ranges at its centre.

The first Austro-German border was established in 1363 with the independence of the Duchy of Tyrol. The border underwent changes in 1805, including the acquisition of the Salzburg region by the Habsburgs. The founding of the Republic of Austria in 1918 stabilized the border. However, the border disappeared in 1938 with the annexation of Austria by Germany. At the end of World War II, the border was restored and has remained unchanged since.

The border between Austria and Germany was confirmed by a treaty between the two countries in 1972. It was previously defined by a series of agreements between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria in the 19th century.

The border has been temporarily closed in recent years to curb irregular migration

The border between Austria and Germany is an international border that was established in 1871. It is 815.9 km (507.0 mi) long, or 815.0 km (506.4 mi) long, depending on the source. It is Austria's longest international border and Germany's second-longest border with another country. The border concerns two German states in the south of the country (Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria) and four Austrian provinces in the northwest of the country (Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria).

The Schengen Area removed border controls at the Austria-Germany border in 1997. However, temporary border controls have been reinstated in recent years to curb irregular migration and address security concerns. For example, in 2015, Germany reimposed border controls and curbed rail traffic from Austria to slow the influx of migrants. This caused a backlog of migrants in Austria, prompting the Austrian Interior Minister to warn that the use of force may be necessary to ease the situation.

In 2024, Austria hinted at potential border closures in response to a surge of migrants towards Greece from Turkey. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz stated that if the protection of the EU's external borders did not succeed, Austria would protect its borders. This echoed similar actions taken during the 2015-2016 migration crisis, when Austria coordinated a series of border closures in Balkan countries to block a new wave of arrivals.

The temporary reintroduction of border controls is provided for by the Schengen Borders Code (SBC), which allows member states to temporarily reintroduce border control at internal borders in the event of a serious threat to public policy or internal security. The SBC stipulates that such measures must be a last resort, restricted to the minimum needed to respond to the threat, and respects the principle of proportionality.

The border is Germany's second-longest

The border between Germany and Austria is 784 km or 815.9 km long, depending on the source. It is Germany's second-longest border with another country, after its border with the Czech Republic, which is 818.8 km long. The Germany-Austria border was established in 1871 and runs through several regions in both countries.

On the German side, the border concerns two southern Länder: Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. On the Austrian side, the border runs through four provinces in the northwest of the country: Voralberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria. The border begins in the northwest at Lake Constance, which separates Baden-Württemberg and Austria, before moving east up to the tripoint formed by the German-Czech and Czech-Austrian borders in the Bohemian Forest.

The border mainly consists of Alpine mountain ranges at its centre. Besides Lake Constance, the border does not pass through any significant lakes, but it follows several rivers, including the Danube, Inn, and Salzach. The Austria-Germany border is also notable for its cross-border cooperation, facilitated by the shared official language of German.

The history of the border dates back to 1363 when the independence of the Duchy of Tyrol gave birth to the first Austro-German border. The border underwent changes over the centuries, including the acquisition of the Salzburg region by the Habsburgs in 1805. The founding of the Republic of Austria in 1918 stabilized the border, but it disappeared temporarily with the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938. After World War II, the border was restored and has remained unchanged since.

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