Austria's Place In The Northwestern Europe Debate

Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, sharing borders with eight countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. It is a predominantly mountainous country, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. While Austria is considered a part of Central Europe, some sources also include it in their definition of Northwestern Europe, along with countries like Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and parts of or all of Germany. Northwestern Europe is a loosely defined subregion that overlaps with Northern and Western Europe and is used in geographic, historical, and military contexts.

Austria is landlocked

Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It is bordered by Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, and Liechtenstein. Austria is a part of the European Union (EU) and joined in 1995.

Austria is a predominantly mountainous country, with the Alps being its most prominent feature. The country is divided into three unequal geographical areas. The largest part of Austria (62%) is occupied by the relatively young mountains of the Alps. To the east of the Alps lies a portion of the Pannonian plain, and north of the Danube River is the Bohemian Forest, an older, lower granite mountain range. The country is also home to numerous lakes, many of which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch by glacial erosion.

Austria's landscape is diverse, ranging from the majestic mountains of the high Alps in the west to the lowlands and rolling hills in the east. The westernmost third of the country consists of a narrow corridor between Germany and Italy, while the rest of Austria lies to the east, with a maximum north-south width of 280 km (170 mi). The country extends almost 600 km (370 mi) in length, from Lake Constance on the Austrian-Swiss-German border in the west to the Neusiedler See on the Austrian-Hungarian border in the east.

The Alps have had a significant impact on Austria's history and culture. Due to their imposing nature, they have made many areas of the country uninhabitable and isolated communities in valleys, leading to the development of distinct regional subcultures with their own dialects, traditional dress, architecture, and folklore. However, modern transportation and communication have eroded these differences over time.

In summary, Austria's landlocked status and its location in the heart of Europe have shaped its history, culture, and international relations. The country's diverse landscape, ranging from majestic mountains to picturesque lakes, contributes to its geographic uniqueness within the continent.

It is part of Central Europe

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the country's physical backbone. The country's highest elevation is the Grossglockner, which rises to 3,797 or 3,798 metres.

Austria is part of the European Union and has held the Presidency of the Council of the EU three times since joining in 1995. It is also a member of NATO's Partnership for Peace and supports the organisation in peace missions, crisis management activities, and rescue operations in disaster areas. Vienna, the Austrian capital, is home to the headquarters of several United Nations organisations, including the IAEA, UNIDO, and CTBTO.

Austria's geography has played a significant role in its history and economy. The country is located at the centre of European trade routes between east and west, along the Danubian trade route, and between north and south through the Alpine passes. This position has embedded Austria within various political and economic systems. The Danube River, which flows through Austria, is the only major European river flowing eastwards, enhancing the country's inland waterway system.

Austria's landscape is diverse, with mountains, lakes, and lowlands. The westernmost third of the country is a narrow corridor between Germany and Italy, while the rest of Austria lies to the east, with a maximum north-south width of 280 kilometres. The country can be divided into three main geographical areas: the Alps, the Pannonian plain, and the Bohemian Forest. The Alps cover the largest part of the country (62%), while the Pannonian plain is found in the east, and the Bohemian Forest, an older granite mountain range, lies north of the Danube River.

Austria's central location in Europe has contributed to its rich history and cultural diversity. The country has nine federal states, seven of which have long historical traditions predating the establishment of the Republic of Austria in 1918. The diverse landscape, including the contrast between the Alps and the steppe lake Neusiedler See on the Hungarian Plain, illustrates the variety of Austria's natural environment.

It is bordered by eight countries

Austria is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The country has a total border length of 2,534 km (1,575 mi).

To the west, Austria shares a 158 km (98 mi) border with Switzerland, a non-European Union member state, and a 34 km (21 mi) border with the principality of Liechtenstein, which is also a non-EU member state. To the north, Austria is bordered by Germany over a distance of 801 km (497 mi), the Czech Republic for 402 km (249 mi), and Slovakia for 105 km (65 mi). To the east, Austria shares a 331 km (205 mi) border with Hungary. To the south, Austria is bordered by Slovenia for 330 km (185 mi) and Italy for 404 km (251 mi).

Austria is a landlocked country with a total area of 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi). The westernmost third of the country forms a narrow corridor between Germany and Italy, with a width of 32 to 60 km (20 to 37 mi). The rest of Austria lies to the east, with a maximum north-south width of 280 km (170 mi). The country measures about 600 km (370 mi) in length, from Lake Constance on the Austrian-Swiss-German border in the west to the Neusiedler See on the Austrian-Hungarian border in the east.

The diverse landscape of Austria includes mountains, forests, and lakes. The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner mountain at 3,797 metres (12,460 feet). The country's landscape is also characterised by the Danube River, which flows through it before emptying into the Black Sea.

The country is predominantly mountainous

Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe. The Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with the largest part of Austria (62%) occupied by the relatively young mountains of the Alps. The Central Alps, consisting largely of a granite base, are the largest and highest ranges in Austria. The Central Alps run from Tyrol to approximately the Styria-Lower Austria border and include areas that are permanently glaciated in the Ötztal Alps on the Tyrolean-Italian border and the High Tauern in East Tyrol and Carinthia. The Northern Calcareous Alps and the Southern Calcareous Alps, predominantly composed of limestone and dolomite, run from Vorarlberg through Tyrol into Salzburg along the German border and through Upper Austria and Lower Austria toward Vienna.

The Austrian Alps offer a complex geologic and topographical pattern, with the highest elevation—the Grossglockner (12,460 feet [3,798 meters])—rising toward the west. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are characterized by the majestic mountains and magnificent scenery of the high Alps. This high Alpine character also extends to the western part of the state of Carinthia, to the Salzkammergut region of central Austria, and to the Alpine blocks of the state of Styria.

North of the massive Alpine spur lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the northern Alps and the Danube and encompassing the northern portion of the state of Upper Austria. To the north of the river is a richly wooded foothill area that includes a portion of the Bohemian Massif, which extends across the Czech border into the state of Lower Austria. This part of Austria is furrowed by many valleys that for centuries served as passageways leading to the east and southeast of Europe and even to the Holy Land.

The lowlands east of Vienna, together with the northern part of the state of Burgenland, may be regarded as a western extension of the Little Hungarian Plain. Austria is a land of lakes, with the largest lakes—Lake Constance in the west and the marshy Neusiedler Lake in the east—lying partly in the territory of neighbouring countries.

Austria is a member of the European Union

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe that shares borders with eight countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. It is a member of the European Union (EU), having joined in 1995. Austria's membership in the EU has had a significant impact on its foreign and European policies, allowing it to advocate for Austrian interests within the EU's decision-making structures.

Austria's involvement in the EU provides numerous benefits to its citizens. They can travel through a borderless Europe, study in other member states through exchange programs, enjoy the benefits of the common currency (the euro), and settle in any EU member state. Additionally, Austria's economy has gained significantly from its participation in the growing single market. About 70% of Austria's foreign trade is with other EU member states, resulting in significant savings for the Austrian economy. Since joining the EU, Austrian exports have tripled, and 18,500 new jobs have been created annually.

Austria's EU membership also contributes to its ranking as the fifth-highest GDP per capita in the EU, with €46,200, well above the EU average of €37,600. It accounts for 2.8% of the EU's total GDP. Austria has representatives in various EU institutions, including the European Council, the Council, and its preparatory bodies. The country also has directly elected members in the European Parliament and representatives in the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions.

Austria's accession to the EU was the culmination of a long process of integration efforts. Before submitting its application for membership in 1989, Austria was one of the founding members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). In 1973, it established a free trade area with the European Economic Community (EEC), which provided successful unhindered access to the EC area for EFTA states' exports. However, it did not offer a path towards more comprehensive relations. Austria's goal shifted towards full membership in the European Communities, and it actively participated in the negotiations that led to its eventual accession to the EU in 1995.

Frequently asked questions