Austria's Location In Relation To Bosnia: Southwest Or Not?

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in Southeast Europe, situated on the Balkan Peninsula. It borders Serbia to the east, Montenegro to the southeast, and Croatia to the north and southwest. The country is mostly mountainous, encompassing the central Dinaric Alps. The northeastern parts reach into the Pannonian Basin, while in the south it borders the Adriatic Sea.

Austria is closely linked to the countries of Southeast Europe through historic, economic, and cultural ties. Austrian foreign policy has always attached particular importance to the region, and it is among the biggest sources of foreign investment in Southeast Europe. Austria has also been actively supporting the efforts of the countries in the region to join the EU as early as possible.

Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina have a history of diplomatic relations, with Austria participating in initiatives to facilitate regional cooperation. Austria has also been providing the commanders of the EU military operation EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 2009, making it the biggest contributor to EUFOR.

In terms of geography, Austria is located in Central Europe, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the southwestern part of the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe. Therefore, Bosnia and Herzegovina is southwest of Austria.

Austria's role in the Bosnian Crisis

Austria is southwest of Bosnia.

The Bosnian Crisis, also known as the Annexation Crisis, erupted on 5 October 1908 when Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, territories formerly within the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire but under Austro-Hungarian administration since 1878. This unilateral action, timed to coincide with Bulgaria's declaration of independence from the Ottoman Empire, sparked protestations from all the Great Powers and Austria-Hungary's Balkan neighbours, Serbia and Montenegro.

The Austro-Hungarian administration had tried to improve the strategically valuable region economically and to link it closely with Austria-Hungary. In July 1908, when the Young Turks staged a revolution in Constantinople (now Istanbul), established a constitutional government, and inaugurated a reform program, the Austrian foreign minister Graf (Count) Lexa von Aehrenthal resolved to annex Bosnia and Herzegovina before the new Turkish regime could regain control over them.

To that end, Aehrenthal met the Russian foreign minister, Aleksandr P. Izvolsky, at Buchlau, in Moravia, and, on 16 September 1908, Izvolsky agreed that Russia would not object to the annexation. Aehrenthal pledged that in return, Austria would not object to opening the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits to Russian warships, an advantage that had been denied to Russia since 1841. By a rescript of 7 October 1908, Austria-Hungary annexed Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Izvolsky, unprepared for such immediate action, could not control the strong popular opposition to the annexation that developed in Russia. Furthermore, Serbia, which was closely related to Bosnia and Herzegovina geographically and ethnically, was outraged by the annexation. It demanded that Austria cede a portion of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia, and Izvolsky, pressed by anti-Austrian opinion in Russia, was forced to support the Serbian claims. Austria, however, firmly supported by its ally Germany, threatened to invade Serbia if that country persisted in its demands. Russia, having failed to secure equally strong support from its ally France, could not risk a war against both Austria-Hungary and Germany for Serbia’s sake, and in March 1909 Izvolsky notified Germany that Russia accepted Austria’s annexation. Although the crisis was resolved without immediate warfare, the resulting embittered relations between Serbia and Austria-Hungary and Russia’s resentment at having been deceived and humiliated contributed to the outbreak of World War I.

The geography of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country in Southeast Europe, situated on the Balkan Peninsula. It is bordered by Croatia to the north and southwest, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast. It also has a 20km (12mi) coastline along the Adriatic Sea in the south. The country's two regions, Bosnia and Herzegovina, have a vaguely defined border between them. Bosnia occupies the northern areas, which are roughly four-fifths of the entire country, while Herzegovina occupies the southern part. The capital of the country is Sarajevo, and other important regional cities include Mostar and Banja Luka.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied geography, ranging from mountains and hills to flat plains and coastal areas. The country is mostly mountainous, encompassing the central Dinaric Alps, which run in a southeast-northwest direction. The highest peak is Maglić, reaching 2,386m (7,828ft). Other major mountain ranges include Volujak, Zelengora, Lebršnik, Kozara, Grmeč, Čvrsnica, Prenj, Vran, Vlašić, Cincar, and Romanija. The northeastern parts of the country reach into the Pannonian Basin and are predominantly flat, while the northwest is moderately hilly. The south and southwest, including Herzegovina, is a karst region of arid limestone plateaus containing caves, potholes, and underground drainage.

The country has seven major rivers: the Sava, the Una, the Bosna, the Drina, the Neretva, the Sana, and the Vrbas. The Sava is the longest river in the country and forms the northern border with Croatia. The Bosna, Vrbas, Una, and Sana flow north and empty into the Sava. The Drina forms part of the eastern border with Serbia and is a tributary of the Sava. The Neretva flows south from Herzegovina into the Adriatic Sea and is famous for flowing through the city of Mostar.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a varied climate, with a mix of continental, Mediterranean, and alpine conditions. The north of the country has a typical continental climate, with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The south, including Herzegovina, has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Central Bosnia and the mountain regions have an alpine climate, with cold winters and cool summers.

The country has a diverse range of flora and fauna. About two-fifths to a half of the country is forested, with pine, beech, and oak being common. Fruits such as grapes, apples, pears, and plums are also abundant. The wildlife includes bears, wolves, wild pigs, wildcats, chamois, otters, foxes, badgers, and falcons.

The geography of Austria

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing borders with 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. The landscape is characterised by mountains, valleys, hills, and forests, with the Danube River flowing through the northeastern part of the country.

Austria has a total area of 83,871 square kilometres and is divided into nine federal states, each with its own capital. The states are: Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Burgenland, and Vienna. Vienna, the country's capital, is also a state in its own right.

The country can be divided into three unequal geographical areas: the Alps, which occupy about 62% of the country; the Pannonian plain in the east; and the Bohemian Forest, an older, lower granite mountain range north of the Danube River. The Alps consist of three major ranges: the Northern Calcareous Alps, the Central Alps, and the Southern Calcareous Alps. The Central Alps are the largest and highest, running from Tyrol to the Styria-Lower Austria border and including permanently glaciated areas. The Northern and Southern Calcareous Alps are predominantly limestone and dolomite.

Austria has a typical Central European transitional climate, with warm summers, cold winters, and adequate precipitation. There are two distinct climatic regions: the east, which has a Pannonian climate with warm to hot summers, low precipitation, and cold winters; and the central Alpine region, which has more precipitation in summer and long winters with heavy snowfall.

The country's natural resources include coal, iron ore, bauxite, manganese, nickel, clay, gypsum, salt, sand, timber, and hydropower. Land use in Austria is diverse, with about 40% of the country covered by forests, less than one-fifth suitable for conventional agriculture, and almost half consisting of high Alpine pastures.

The history of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ancient Times to the Middle Ages

Bosnia and Herzegovina has been inhabited since at least the Upper Paleolithic period. During the Neolithic age, permanent human settlements emerged, including those of the Butmir, Kakanj, and Vučedol cultures. In the following centuries, the region was populated by several Illyrian and Celtic civilisations. The ancestors of today's South Slavic peoples arrived between the 6th and 9th centuries.

In the 12th century, the Banate of Bosnia was established, evolving into the Kingdom of Bosnia by the 14th century. This kingdom fell to the Ottoman Empire in the mid-15th century, beginning over 400 years of Ottoman rule. The Ottomans brought significant changes, including the introduction of Islam, land reforms, and new social and religious distinctions.

Ottoman Rule to World War I

The Ottoman Empire's rule in Bosnia and Herzegovina lasted until the late 19th century, when it was annexed into the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. This period saw the rise of nationalism among the region's ethnic groups, with Serbian and Croatian nationalism taking root in Bosnia. In 1908, Austria-Hungary formally annexed Bosnia, sparking the Bosnian Crisis and contributing to the tensions that led to World War I.

World War I and the Interwar Years

During World War I, Bosnia and Herzegovina was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and it saw significant fighting and casualties. After the war, Bosnia joined the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, later renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. This period was marked by social and economic unrest, as well as the formation of various political parties. The kingdom's collapse in World War II led to Bosnia being annexed into the Independent State of Croatia, a Nazi puppet state.

World War II and Post-War Years

World War II brought widespread persecution and genocide to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the Jewish population being nearly exterminated. Following the war, Bosnia became a federal unit within the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, later renamed the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1963. Josip Broz Tito, a Partisan leader during the war, became the country's leader and promoted industrialisation and economic growth.

Breakup of Yugoslavia and the Bosnian War

In the 1990s, the breakup of Yugoslavia led to a devastating three-year war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, resulting in approximately 100,000 deaths and over 2 million refugees. The war was marked by ethnic tensions and conflicts between Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats, with all sides committing atrocities. The war ended with the signing of the Dayton Agreement in 1995, establishing Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent state with two autonomous entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska.

Contemporary Times

Since gaining independence, Bosnia and Herzegovina has faced numerous challenges, including economic struggles, political instability, and ethnic tensions. The country has a decentralised government with a bicameral legislature and a three-member presidency representing the three main ethnic groups. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a candidate for both EU and NATO membership and continues to work towards political and economic reform.

The history of Austria

History of Austria

Austria, a landlocked country in Central Europe, has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period. The area was settled by the Celts around 400 BC and was annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. During the Migration Period, the Bavarii, a Germanic people, occupied these lands until it fell to the Frankish Empire 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).

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. 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).

Following 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.

Frequently asked questions