Austria's Unique Geography: Double Landlocked Nation

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with no direct access to an ocean. It is bordered by eight countries, including the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. However, the focus of the discussion is often on whether one of its bordering countries, Liechtenstein, is double landlocked.

A country is considered double landlocked when it is entirely surrounded by landlocked nations, requiring the crossing of at least two national borders to access a coastline. Liechtenstein fits this description, as it is bordered by Austria and Switzerland, both of which are landlocked. This unique geographic characteristic has significant implications for trade and transportation, making Liechtenstein dependent on multiple countries for the free movement of goods and people.

Austria is doubly landlocked, surrounded by landlocked countries

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with no direct access to the ocean. It is surrounded entirely by landlocked countries, making it one of only two "doubly landlocked" countries in the world, the other being Uzbekistan.

Being landlocked has economic and political disadvantages for Austria, as it impedes direct access to maritime trade and sea resources. However, Austria has managed to become one of the wealthiest countries in the world, with a high standard of living and a high ranking on the Human Development Index.

Liechtenstein, a small country in Western Europe, is bordered by Austria and Switzerland, both of which are landlocked. This unique geographical position has not hindered Liechtenstein's economic success, as it boasts one of the highest GDP per capita in the world.

Uzbekistan, located in Central Asia, is surrounded by Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, all of which are landlocked. Prior to gaining independence from the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan had direct access to the ocean through other Soviet republics.

Being doubly landlocked presents unique challenges, as these countries must rely on multiple neighbouring countries to facilitate the movement of people and goods. Despite these challenges, both Austria and Liechtenstein have prospered and established themselves as economically successful nations.

Austria's neighbours: Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has eight neighbours: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Germany borders Austria to the north and west, and the two countries share an 801km (498mi) border. The Czech Republic also borders Austria to the north, with a 402km (250mi) border. To the east, Austria shares a 105km (65mi) border with Slovakia and a 331km (206mi) border with Hungary. To the south, Austria borders Slovenia along 330km (210mi) and Italy along 404km (251mi). Finally, to the west, Austria shares a 158km (98mi) border with Switzerland and a 34km (21mi) border with Liechtenstein.

Austria's foreign policy priorities include maintaining strong relations with its neighbours. Trade with these neighbouring countries accounts for more than half of Austria's trade flows. Austria's membership in the European Union (EU) has further strengthened its ties with fellow EU member states in the region, such as Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary. Switzerland and Liechtenstein are the only neighbouring countries that are not part of the EU. However, Switzerland has a comprehensive set of agreements governing its relations with the EU, and Liechtenstein is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA).

Austria's relations with its neighbours are also influenced by historical connections, geographical similarities, and cultural exchanges. The Alpine and Danube regions, in particular, play a significant role in shaping the dynamics between Austria and its neighbours.

Austria's population, language, and economy

Austria is one of the world's 44 landlocked countries, two of which are doubly landlocked. Being landlocked has historically been disadvantageous to a country's development, as it cuts off access to important sea resources and impedes direct access to maritime trade. However, being doubly landlocked does not necessarily mean that a country is poorer or less populated than other landlocked countries.

Population

As of Sunday 5 January 2025, Austria has a population of 9,117,083 people. This figure is based on Worldometer's elaboration of the latest United Nations data. Austria's population is equivalent to 0.11% of the world's total population, and the country ranks 99th in the list of countries by population. The median age in Austria is 43.6 years, and 58.6% of the population is urban.

Language

German is the official language and lingua franca of Austria. It is the de facto first language for most Austrians, and it is used in the media, schools, and formal announcements. The variety of German used in Austria, Austrian German, is partially influenced by Austro-Bavarian, which is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg. Alemannic, or Swiss German, is the main dialect in Vorarlberg, and it is very difficult for German speakers from other regions to understand.

In addition to German, several other languages are spoken in Austria. These include minority languages such as Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Romany, and sign language. In the mixed-language districts of Carinthia, Slovene is considered an official language, and in some districts of Burgenland, Hungarian and Croatian have equal status to German as official languages. Serbo-Croatian is the largest minority language in Austria, spoken by more than 4% of the population, followed by Turkish, spoken by 2.3%.

Economy

Austria has a highly developed social market economy and is one of the fourteen richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita. The service sector generates the vast majority of Austria's GDP, with Vienna becoming a finance and consulting metropolis. Tourism is also a crucial part of the economy, accounting for around 10% of Austria's GDP. In 2001, Austria was the tenth most visited country in the world, with over 18.2 million tourists.

Austria has a strong labour movement, and labour movements have a large influence on labour politics. The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) has about 1.5 million members, more than half of the country's wage and salary earners. The country has achieved sustained economic growth since World War II, with average annual growth rates of more than 5% in the 1950s and about 4.5% in the 1960s. Austria became a member of the European Union on 1 January 1995, which brought economic benefits and reduced its dependence on its main trading partner, Germany.

Austria's history, including its role in World War I

Austria is one of the world's two double-landlocked countries, meaning it is surrounded by landlocked countries. In Austria's case, these are Switzerland and Germany.

Now, onto Austria's history, including its role in World War I.

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

On June 28, 1914, Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The assassin, 19-year-old Gavrilo Princip, was a member of the Black Hand, a Serbian nationalist organization. This assassination was the main short-term cause of World War I and led to the July Crisis.

The July Crisis

Austria-Hungary accused Serbia of plotting and backing the assassination and threatened it with an ultimatum—a demand that, if not met, would result in conflict. Serbia was angered and sought assistance from Russia and its leader, Tsar Nicholas II. On July 28, 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, officially starting World War I.

Austria-Hungary's Role in World War I

Austria-Hungary was one of the main nations involved in World War I and participated in some of the conflict's most significant battles. It was one of the Central Powers, alongside Germany, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire.

Austria-Hungary had an army of approximately 3 million soldiers at the outbreak of the war, but it was one of the least developed and prepared in Europe. It struggled to adequately supply and prepare its forces and faced challenges due to its multi-ethnic nature, with almost a dozen different cultures and languages represented among its people.

Austria-Hungary was primarily active on three fronts: the Italian Front (or Alpine Front), the Serbian Front, and the Eastern Front.

The Serbian Front

The Serbian Campaign, commanded by Oskar Potiorek, began on July 28, 1914, when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. The Austro-Hungarian forces made three failed invasion attempts and suffered a humiliating defeat, resulting in heavy losses for both sides. The failure to defeat Serbia was shocking given Austria-Hungary's larger and more capable military. Oskar Potiorek was replaced as commander following this defeat.

The Eastern Front

Conflict between Austria-Hungary and Russia was inevitable due to Russia's support for Serbia. The Eastern Front, along Austria-Hungary's eastern border with Russia, saw several significant conflicts, including the Battle of Galicia, considered one of the most important battles on this front. During this battle, the Austro-Hungarian First, Second, and Fourth Armies faced off against the Russian Third, Fourth, and Eighth Armies in a series of smaller conflicts. The Battle of Galicia ended in a significant Russian victory, forcing the Austro-Hungarians to retreat.

The Italian Front

Italy, which entered the war in 1915, was one of the main combatants that Austria-Hungary faced. The Italian Front, or Alpine Front, was located along the border between the two countries, with Italy aiming to gain control of sections of the region due to rising nationalism. The terrain was mountainous, making battles difficult. The Battles of the Isonzo, fought in modern-day Slovenia and along the Isonzo River, were a series of 12 brutal conflicts between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies from 1915 to 1917, resulting in heavy losses for both sides.

The Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, also known as the Battle of Caporetto, was the last and most significant battle of this series. It began on October 24, 1917, with poisonous gas attacks by Austrian and German forces, followed by a heavy assault that allowed them to advance quickly through Italian-held territory. This battle resulted in a massive victory for Austria-Hungary and heavy losses for Italy.

The final significant battle of World War I on the Italian Front was the Battle of Vittorio Veneto in October 1918, which resulted in Austria-Hungary accepting defeat. During the battle, the Hungarian Parliament proclaimed its withdrawal from the union, officially ending the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The End of World War I and Its Aftermath

By the end of World War I, four empires had collapsed, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Armistice of Villa Giusti, signed on November 3, 1918, ended the conflict between Italy and Austria-Hungary. The war was over, and so was the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

During the war, approximately 900,000 Austro-Hungarian soldiers died, and over 7.8 million served. The losses and the outcome of the war had a profound impact on the country, and nationalist movements within the empire further contributed to its internal division.

Austria's involvement in the European Union

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is one of the few double-landlocked countries in the world, meaning that it is surrounded by landlocked countries.

Austria has been a member of the European Union since 1995, following a referendum in 1994 where two-thirds of the population voted in favour of joining the EU. Austria's involvement in the EU is multifaceted and has evolved over time. Here are some key aspects of Austria's involvement in the European Union:

• Economic and Monetary Union: Austria is a committed member of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and adopted the Euro as its currency in 1999. The country has met the Maastricht convergence criteria, demonstrating its resolve to be part of the 'Eurozone'.
• Single Market: As a member of the EU, Austria benefits from the Single Market, which allows free movement of goods, services, capital, and people within the EU. This has boosted Austria's economy and provided access to a larger market for its products and services.
• Schengen Agreement: Austria is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement, which eliminates internal border checks and strengthens external border controls. This facilitates the free movement of people and goods within the Schengen Area, which includes most EU member states.
• European Parliament: Austria has 20 representatives in the European Parliament, who participate in legislative processes and contribute to EU decision-making.
• Council of the EU: Austria's national ministers regularly attend meetings of the Council of the EU, where they adopt EU laws and coordinate policies with other member states.
• European Commission: Austria has a representative in the European Commission, currently Magnus Brunner, who is responsible for internal affairs and migration.
• European Economic and Social Committee: Austria has 12 representatives on this advisory body, which provides input on proposed laws and their potential impact on employment, workers' rights, and other social and economic issues.
• European Committee of the Regions: Austria also has 12 representatives on this committee, ensuring that regional perspectives from across the EU are considered in the law-making process.
• Permanent Representation: Austria maintains a permanent representation in Brussels, known as its "embassy to the EU." This representation ensures that Austria's interests and policies are communicated and pursued within the EU institutions.
• EU Funding: Austria benefits from EU funding for various programmes and projects, including infrastructure development, research, and environmental protection.
• Common Foreign and Security Policy: Austria participates in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, although its commitment to neutrality has limited its involvement in certain aspects of EU security initiatives.

Frequently asked questions