Austria's Geographical Location: South America Or Not?

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with its capital in Vienna. It is bordered by several European countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. While Austria is not in South America, it does have a historical connection to the continent through its diaspora. Austrian immigrants settled in South American countries like Argentina during the two world wars, with Buenos Aires, Cordoba, and San Carlos de Bariloche being key destinations.

Austrian immigrants in South America

Austria is a country in south-central Europe. However, Austrian immigrants have settled in various parts of the world, including South America. Austrian immigrants in South America are primarily found in Argentina, Brazil, and Peru.

Austrian Immigrants in Argentina

The presence of Austrian immigrants in Argentina is significant, with the country being home to the second-largest number of immigrants and descendants of Austrian immigrants in Latin America. Austrian immigration to Argentina occurred mainly during two significant waves of migration around the First and Second World Wars. The primary destinations for Austrian immigrants in Argentina included Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Misiones. In the south of the country, cities such as San Carlos de Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes were also popular settlements.

In the early 1930s, it was estimated that there were approximately 9,000 people of Austrian descent in Buenos Aires, with a similar number recorded by the Austrian Embassy. Austrian immigrants in Buenos Aires often settled in the neighbourhood of Belgrano, which had a well-established German-speaking colony dating back to the mid-19th century. This area, with its existing infrastructure, including churches, cafes, and bakeries, was particularly attractive to new immigrants.

Today, Córdoba is considered the seat of the main Austrian community in Argentina, and the province with the largest immigrant population of German and Austrian descent in the country. Various Austrian institutions are present in Argentina, including the Austrian-Argentine Association, the Austrian Benevolent Society, and the Austrian-Argentine Chamber of Commerce.

Austrian Immigrants in Brazil and Peru

In addition to Argentina, Brazil and Peru are also home to renowned expatriate settlements of Austrians in South America. While specific details on the size and history of these communities are scarce, it is known that Austria enjoys good relations with these countries and has established diplomatic relations and cultural promotion initiatives throughout the Latin America and Caribbean region.

Austrian-Argentine relations

Austria and Argentina have enjoyed diplomatic relations for decades. Both nations are members of the United Nations and established diplomatic relations in 1864 when Argentina was dealing with the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

History of Austrian-Argentine Relations

The history of relations between the two countries can be traced back to the early 20th century when a few Austrian migrants began immigrating to Argentina. This immigration increased significantly during the First and Second World Wars, with Buenos Aires, Córdoba, and Misiones becoming the main settlement sites. In the early 1930s, there were approximately 9,000 Austrians living in Buenos Aires, with many more settling in the south of the country in cities like San Carlos de Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes.

Recent Developments

In 1994, Argentine President Carlos Menem became the first Argentine head of state to visit Austria. Since then, there have been numerous visits between the leaders of both nations, including a visit by Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer to Argentina in 2008. In 2019, there were approximately 30,000 Austrians residing in Argentina, and the two countries had signed several agreements to strengthen their relationship, including an Agreement on Scientific and Cultural Cooperation in 1980 and an Agreement for the Elimination of Double Taxation in 2019.

Trade Relations

In 2017, trade between the two nations totalled US$304 million. Argentina's main exports to Austria include parts and supplies for the automotive industry, beef, fruit, and soybean oils and derivatives. Austria's main exports to Argentina include machinery and equipment, pharmaceutical products, medical and measuring instruments, and iron and steel products.

Austrian Institutions in Argentina

The strong Austrian-Argentine relations are further evidenced by the presence of several Austrian institutions in Argentina, including the Austrian-Argentine Association, the Austrian Benevolent Society, and the Austrian-Argentine Chamber of Commerce.

Austria's geographic position

Austria's neighbours include 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 covers an area of approximately 83,879 square kilometres (32,386 square miles) and has a population of around 9 million people.

The Austrian landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps can be subdivided into northern and southern limestone ranges, which are composed of rugged mountains, and a central range with a softer form and outline made of crystalline rocks. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, rising to 12,460 feet (3,798 metres).

The Danube River also plays a crucial role in shaping the geography of Austria. It winds its way between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in the northeastern part of the country, eventually emerging from the mountains into the drier plains near Vienna.

Additionally, Austria's landscape is dotted with lakes, many of which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch. The largest lakes include Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west and the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) in the east.

The country experiences a cool to temperate climate, with the alpine climate being predominant due to the significant presence of the Alps. However, in the eastern regions, particularly in the Pannonian Plain and along the Danube Valley, the climate exhibits more continental features with lower rainfall.

Austria's relations with the Caribbean

Austria maintains good and friendly relations with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Trade in goods with most LAC countries has been flourishing over the past years, with Austria's industry proving particularly competitive in the energy sector. Close cooperation in the fields of science and research has created a strong basis for sustainable relations.

Austria has observer status within the Caribbean regional organisations CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and OECS (the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States). The Diplomatic Academy in Vienna has been training young Caribbean diplomats since 2010. Austria also enjoys an excellent reputation as a European cultural nation across the LAC region. Austrian cultural promotion follows two goals: to complement the traditional image of Austrian culture with a contemporary element, and to enhance public awareness of Austria's cultural presence as part of the EU. Austrian schools that employ Austrian teachers following the national curriculum have been established in Guatemala and Querétaro, Mexico.

About 30,000 Austrian expatriates live in the LAC region, with renowned settlements in Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Paraguay. Austria enjoys diplomatic relations with all LAC states and maintains bilateral strategic partnerships with Costa Rica and Uruguay. Austrian embassies in the region are located in Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Havana, Lima, Mexico City, and Santiago de Chile.

Austria has been a strong supporter of the institutionalised partnership between the EU, Latin America, and the Caribbean (known as the EU-LAC process) since 1999. The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) has acted as the EU's point of contact in this bi-regional process since its foundation in 2011. The EU-LAC foundation was established in 2011 to enhance EU-LAC institutional cooperation and became an international organisation based in Hamburg in 2019. Austria ratified the founding treaty in June 2020.

Austria's role in the EU-LAC process

Austria has been supportive of the institutionalised partnership between the EU, Latin America, and the Caribbean (LAC), known as the EU-LAC process, since 1999. The country has diplomatic relations with all LAC states and maintains bilateral strategic partnerships with Costa Rica and Uruguay. Austrian embassies are located in several Latin American countries, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico.

Austria has observer status within the Caribbean regional organisations CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and OECS (the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States). The country has been training young Caribbean diplomats at the Diplomatic Academy in Vienna since 2010. Additionally, about 30,000 Austrian expatriates live in the region, playing a crucial role in fostering relations between Austria and LAC countries.

Austria's industry has proven its competitiveness in the energy sector, and close cooperation in the fields of science and research has created a strong basis for sustainable relations. The country also enjoys a positive reputation as a European cultural nation across the LAC region. Austrian cultural promotion aims to complement the traditional image of Austrian culture with a contemporary element and enhance awareness of Austria's cultural presence as part of the EU.

Austria has also established Austrian schools in Guatemala and Querétaro (Mexico), employing Austrian teachers who follow the national curriculum. The EU-LAC foundation, established in 2011 and based in Hamburg since 2019, further enhances institutional cooperation between the EU and LAC countries. Austria ratified the founding treaty of this organisation in June 2020.

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