Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe that shares its borders with eight countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. Notably, Austria does not share a border with Sweden. The country is predominantly mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming its physical backbone. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, which rises to a height of 12,460 feet.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Does Austria border Sweden? | No |
Countries that border Austria | Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy |
What You'll Learn
Austria borders eight countries
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over 8.8 million people. It is surrounded by eight countries: Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.
To the west of Austria are Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Switzerland, which is also landlocked, shares a 112-mile boundary with Austria, divided by Liechtenstein. Switzerland's geographical landscape is split between the Jura, the Swiss Plateau, and the Alps. Meanwhile, Liechtenstein is the fourth-smallest European state, bordered by Switzerland to the south and west, and Austria to the north and east.
Austria's southern neighbours are Italy and Slovenia. Italy, with over 61 million residents, has a 251-mile border with Austria. There are numerous border passes between the two countries, including Birnlucke, which forms the boundary between South Tyrol in Italy and Salzburg in Austria. Slovenia, a parliamentary state with over two million residents, shares a 185-mile border with Austria, dominated by the Pohorje massif, Karawank chain, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and the Julian Alps.
Hungary and Slovakia border Austria to the east and northeast, respectively. The Austria-Hungary boundary is about 205 miles long, while the Austria-Slovakia boundary is about 185 miles long, with the lower course of the River Morava forming a large part of the border.
To the north of Austria are Germany and the Czech Republic. Germany has the longest border with Austria, covering about 497 miles. The boundary runs from east to west, with states such as Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Tyrol in Austria and Bavaria in Germany. The Czech Republic, a landlocked country in Central Europe, shares a 249-mile border with Austria.
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Switzerland and Liechtenstein are west of Austria
Switzerland is a landlocked state in West Central Europe, occupying an area of about 15,940 square miles. It is bordered by Liechtenstein and Austria to the east, Italy to the south, France to the west, and Germany to the north. Switzerland is geographically split between the Jura, Swiss Plateau, and the Alps, and is known for its mountainous landscape. It is divided into 26 cantons (states), and four languages are spoken due to its location and close ties with neighbouring countries: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked microstate in Central Europe, bordered by Switzerland to the west and south, and Austria to the east and north. It is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 62 square miles and a population of about 38,000 to 40,000. It is a semi-constitutional monarchy headed by the Prince of Liechtenstein and has a strong financial sector centred in Vaduz, its capital. Like Switzerland, Liechtenstein is also characterised by its mountainous terrain, making it a popular destination for winter sports.
Switzerland and Liechtenstein are both landlocked in the centre of Europe, along with their neighbour Austria. The three countries are dominated by the Alpine ranges, with Switzerland and Liechtenstein sharing a border in the western Alps, and Liechtenstein sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria.
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Germany and the Czech Republic are north of Austria
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries in total, including Germany and the Czech Republic, which lie to the north.
Germany shares an 801 km (497-498 mi) border with Austria to the north. This makes the Germany-Austria border the longest for both countries. The boundary runs from east to west, with the western point at the tripoint border of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and the eastern end at the point where the two countries meet with the Czech Republic near the village of Schwarzenberg-am-Bohmerwald. Some of the states that lie on the border include Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Tyrol in Austria, and the German state of Bavaria.
The Czech Republic shares a 402 km (249-250 mi) border with Austria, also to the north. Some of the towns on the Czech Republic-Austria border include Ceske Velenice, Mikulov, and Drasenhofen in the Czech Republic, and Gmund and Breclavin in Austria.
Germany and the Czech Republic are, therefore, two of Austria's northern neighbours.
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Austria's eastern border is with Hungary and Slovakia
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over 8.8 million. It is bordered by several countries, including Hungary and Slovakia to the east.
Austria shares a 331-kilometre-long (205-mile-long) border with Hungary, which was established by the Trianon Treaty in 1920. This border remained closed off by an electric fence from the end of World War II until 1989, when communism collapsed in Hungary. Today, there are several crossing points along this border, and Hungary has announced plans to open more in the future.
Austria's border with Slovakia is 105 kilometres (65 miles) long and is crossed by the River Morava. This border can be crossed at several points, including a crossing connecting Berg in Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia. The motorway crossing between the two countries is in Jarovce.
In addition to Hungary and Slovakia, Austria's other neighbouring countries are Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, Slovenia, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
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Italy and Slovenia are south of Austria
No, Austria does not border Sweden. Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing borders with eight other countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy.
Now, let's focus on the statement, "Italy and Slovenia are south of Austria."
Italy and Slovenia are indeed located to the south of Austria, along with Hungary, which borders Austria to the east. The southern border of Austria is formed by Italy and Slovenia, with the two countries sharing a long border with Austria.
Italy has a border of 404 kilometres (251 miles) with Austria, and this border is characterised by numerous mountain passes. One notable pass is the Brenner Pass, located on the Austrian-Italian border in Tyrol. The Brenner Pass is one of the lowest Alpine passes at 1,370 metres above sea level and has historically been an important route for transit between Germany and Italy. Other passes include Birnlucke, Timmelsjoch, Staller Saddle, Reschen Pass, Plocken Pass, and Hochjoch.
Slovenia shares a 185-kilometre-long (115-mile) border with Austria, dominated by mountain ranges such as the Pohorje massif, the Karawank chain, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and the Julian Alps. The Sentilj-Spielfeld checkpoint on this border is the busiest crossing, with facilities for processing and screening migrants.
The landscape of Austria's southern border with Italy and Slovenia is shaped by the Alps, which form the physical backbone of the country. The majestic mountains and scenic landscapes of the high Alps are characteristic of the western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg, as well as the western part of Kärnten (Carinthia) and other regions.
The southern border of Austria, shared with Italy and Slovenia, is an important aspect of the country's geography and has contributed to its cultural diversity. The Alps, which cast a geographic shadow over the country, have historically influenced settlement patterns and isolated communities in valleys, leading to the development of distinct regional subcultures.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Austria does not share a border with Sweden. Austria is landlocked and bordered by Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy.
The distance between the two countries is approximately 1,300 km (800 miles).
The capital of Austria is Vienna, located in the northeastern region of the country.
Austria shares its borders with eight countries.
Austria has a population of over 8.7 million people.