Austria's Geographical Identity: Central Europe Or Not?

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, nestled in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. While the definition of Central Europe varies, it often includes Austria and its neighbouring countries. The region is characterised by its cultural diversity and historical and cultural similarities.

Austria's inclusion in Central Europe is supported by its geographical proximity to other Central European countries and its deep-rooted historical and cultural links with them. This is reflected in the Austrian Foreign Ministry's quasi-official definition of Central Europe, which includes Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.

Additionally, Austria shares similar cultural and historical traits with other Central European countries. For instance, three of the most significant political units in the region were the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the German and Austro-Hungarian empires. The region has also been influenced by Gothic Germanic culture, which extends into Eastern Europe.

However, the classification of countries into specific regions can be complex and subjective, depending on the perspective and criteria used.

Austria's role in Central Europe

Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna. The country is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. Austria occupies an area of 83,879 sq km and has a population of around 9 million.

Austria has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period. Around 400 BC, it was inhabited by the Celts and was later annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. Christianization in the region began in the 4th and 5th centuries, during the late Roman period, followed by the arrival of numerous Germanic tribes during the Migration Period.

Austria, as a unified state, emerged from the remnants of the Eastern and Hungarian March at the end of the first millennium. It was first established as a frontier march of the Holy Roman Empire, then developed into a Duchy in 1156, and was made an Archduchy in 1453. As the heartland of the Habsburg monarchy since the late 13th century, Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries. From the 16th century, Vienna served as the Holy Roman Empire's administrative capital.

Austria has played a significant role in Central Europe due to its geographic position and historical developments. It is located at the centre of European trade routes between east and west, and its landscape is characterised by the majestic Alps and magnificent scenery. The country has a rich cultural history, with influences from various ethnic groups and neighbouring regions.

In the early Middle Ages, Central Europe had a diverse landscape, with Germanic tribes in the west and Slavic tribes in the east. The region has been influenced by various empires, including the Ottoman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Habsburg monarchy. During the Early Modern period, the territories of Poland and Lithuania were part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

After World War I, Austria experienced social and political turbulence, eventually becoming a part of Nazi Germany in 1938. Following World War II, Austria regained its sovereignty and declared its perpetual neutrality in 1955. It became a member of the European Union in 1995 and has since played an active role in organisations such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Austria's neighbours

Austria's exports to Central and Eastern Europe nearly tripled following the major EU enlargement in 2004, and the COVID-19 pandemic led to new forms of neighbourly cooperation, such as the "Central Five" format of regional cooperation between Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.

Austria's relations with its neighbours are also influenced by their respective EU membership statuses. While Austria is a member of the European Union, only two of its neighbours, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, are not. Switzerland's relations with the EU are governed by a comprehensive set of agreements, and Liechtenstein is a member of the European Economic Area.

Austria's geography

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous city and state. Austria is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The country occupies an area of 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi) and has a population of around 9 million.

Austria is largely mountainous because of its location in the Alps. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria. Of the total area of Austria (83,871 km2 or 32,383 sq mi), only about a quarter can be considered low-lying, and only 32% of the country is below 500 metres (1,640 ft). The Alps of western Austria give way somewhat into low lands and plains in the eastern part of the country.

In Austria, forest cover is around 47% of the total land area, equivalent to 3,899,150 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020. The greater part of Austria lies in the cool/temperate climate zone, where humid westerly winds predominate. With nearly three-quarters of the country dominated by the Alps, the alpine climate is predominant. In the east—in the Pannonian Plain and along the Danube valley—the climate shows continental features with less rain than the alpine areas. Although Austria is cold in the winter (−10 to 0 °C), summer temperatures can be relatively high, with average temperatures in the mid-20s and a highest temperature of 40.5 °C (105 °F) in August 2013.

Austria is a member of the European Union, joining in 1995. It is a federal parliamentary republic with a chancellor who is the head of government and a president who is the head of state. The country consists of nine states (Bundesländer). Both regional and federal governments exercise executive power. The federal Parliament has two chambers: the directly elected Lower House (Nationalrat) and the Upper House (Bundesrat) which is elected by regional parliaments.

Austria's history

Prehistory and Antiquity

The area of modern-day Austria has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period. Around 400 BC, it was inhabited by the Celts and then annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. Christianisation in the region began in the 4th and 5th centuries, during the late Roman period, followed by the arrival of numerous Germanic tribes during the Migration Period.

Middle Ages

In the 6th century, the Bavarii, a Germanic people, occupied these lands until it fell to the Frankish Empire established by the Germanic Franks in the 9th century. The name Ostarrîchi (Austria) has been in use since 996 AD when it was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria and from 1156 an independent duchy (later archduchy) of the Holy Roman Empire (962–1806).

Early Modern Period

Austria was dominated by the House of Habsburg and House of Habsburg-Lorraine from 1273 to 1918. In 1806, when Emperor Francis II of Austria dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, Austria became the Austrian Empire, and was also part of the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. In 1867, Austria formed a dual monarchy with Hungary: the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

20th Century to Present Day

When this empire collapsed after the end of World War I in 1918, Austria was reduced to the main, mostly German-speaking areas of the empire (its current frontiers), and adopted the name, the Republic of German-Austria. However, union with Germany and the chosen country name were forbidden by the Allies at the Treaty of Versailles. This led to the creation of the First Austrian Republic (1919–1933).

After the First Republic, Austrofascism tried to keep Austria independent from the German Reich. Engelbert Dollfuss accepted that most Austrians were German and Austrian, but wanted Austria to remain independent from Germany. In 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians. After the German defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. Ten years after the Second World War Austria again became an independent republic as the Second Austrian Republic in 1955. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.

Austria's economy

Austria has a strong labour movement, with labour unions having a large influence on labour politics. The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) has around 1.5 million members, over half of the country's wage and salary earners.

Germany has historically been Austria's main trading partner, but since Austria joined the European Union, it has gained closer ties with other EU economies and reduced its economic dependence on Germany. Trade with other EU countries now accounts for almost 66% of Austrian imports and exports. Austria also has a strong track record of attracting foreign investment, with investors drawn to the country's access to the European Single Market and its proximity to aspiring economies in the EU.

The financial crisis of 2007-2008 impacted Austria's economy, with the government having to purchase the Hypo Alpe-Adria-Bank International to prevent its collapse.

Austria has a highly efficient and strong social security system, with social expenditure standing at roughly 29.4% of GDP. The country also has a very high nominal GDP per capita, ranked 13th in the world in 2024.

Agriculture is a relatively small part of Austria's economy, with Austrian farms being small and fragmented, and production being relatively expensive. The agricultural sector has been undergoing substantial reform under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and while farmers provide about 80% of domestic food requirements, the sector's contribution to GDP has declined since 1950 to less than 3%.

Overall, Austria has achieved sustained economic growth since World War II, and its economy continues to be closely integrated with other EU member countries, particularly Germany.

Frequently asked questions