Austria's Geographical Location: A Country Within A Country

Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is a federation of nine states, with Vienna, the most populous city, as its capital. Austria is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. With a population of around 9 million, it has the 13th highest nominal GDP per capita and high standards of living.

Austria's neighbours

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by several countries:

• Germany to the northwest
• The Czech Republic to the north
• Slovakia to the northeast
• Hungary to the east
• Slovenia and Italy to the south
• Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west

Austria's landscape is predominantly mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps cast a long shadow over the country, both literally and figuratively, and have played a significant role in shaping its history, culture, and settlement patterns.

The country's nine federal states vary in terms of geographical features and historical traditions. While some, like Tyrol, are characterised by majestic mountains and magnificent scenery, others, like Upper Austria and Lower Austria, stretch through the Danube Valley and curve towards the south and east of the Alps. Vienna, the country's capital and most populous city, is an independent state with a rich history as the former seat of the Holy Roman Empire.

Austria's geographical position at the heart of Europe has contributed to its prominence, serving as a transit hub between east and west, as well as between north and south. This strategic location has made it a significant player in European affairs, both historically and in the present day.

Austria's landscape

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, with Vienna being the most populous city and state. The country is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Austria is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The majestic mountains and alpine meadows of the Alps shape the scenery in the west. The country is also a land of lakes, with the clear lakes, rivers, and waterfalls known for their beauty and excellent water quality. The Alpine lakes, nestled deep within the mountainous landscapes, are particularly stunning. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, at 3,797 or 3,798 metres.

In the east, the Pannonian plain stretches out with Lake Neusiedl, while the foothills of the Alps in the north and south are dotted with orchards and vineyards. The gentle hills of Styria and the vast spaces of Burgenland provide an ideal retreat for nature lovers. The granite massif of the Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range with bare and windswept plateaus and a harsh climate, covers the remaining 10% of Austria's area.

Austria's lakes and rivers

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, with Vienna as its capital and most populous city. Austria is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Austria is a land of lakes, with around 400 bathing lakes in total. The country's lakes are a legacy of the Pleistocene Epoch, during which glacial erosion scooped out mountain lakes in the central Alpine district. The lakes are famous for their beauty and water quality, with 97.7% of them having "excellent water quality". The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety regularly tests the bathing waters, and the country guarantees water purity by prioritising sustainability efforts.

• Lake Weissensee: Located in the middle of the Gailtal Alps, Lake Weissensee is known for its serenity, crystal-clear waters, and emerald green surroundings. The lake is a favourite among those seeking peace and relaxation.
• Lake Attersee: Found in the Salzkammergut Region, Lake Attersee offers a unique artsy, laid-back vibe. Visitors can enjoy a stroll through "Little Venice", an area full of Mediterranean-style villas, and admire the rugged mountains framing the lake.
• Lake Mondsee: Located in the Upper Austrian Salzkammergut, southwest of Lake Attersee, Lake Mondsee is very popular with surfers and sailors due to its shifting winds. Swimmers also appreciate the warm temperatures, which can reach up to 27°C.
• Lake Wolfgangsee: Nestled between forests, meadows, and mountain landscapes in the Salzkammergut, Lake Wolfgangsee offers chocolate-box villages such as St. Gilgen, St. Wolfgang, and Strobl. A vintage cable car takes visitors up to Zwölferhorn mountain, one of the region's best viewpoints.
• Lake Constance: The third-largest inland lake in Central Europe, Lake Constance shares its shores with Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. It offers endless possibilities for water lovers, from swimming to boat trips and cycling tours. The city of Bregenz is situated on its shores.
• Lake Neusiedl: As one of Austria's largest bodies of water in terms of surface area, Lake Neusiedl is a steppe lake characterised by vast meadows and reeds. It is the westernmost steppe lake in Europe and forms part of a World Heritage Site.
• Lake Achensee: Dubbed "Tirol's ocean", Lake Achensee was carved out by glaciers over 20,000 years ago. Surrounded by picturesque mountains and lush green meadows, it offers a variety of water sports activities, including swimming, surfing, sailing, paddling, and diving.
• Lake Zell: Majestic peaks frame the crystal-clear Lake Zell, providing plenty of swimming spots for visitors.
• Lake Plansee: The second-largest natural lake in Tyrol, near the German border, Lake Plansee is often referred to as "the fjord of Austria" due to its majestic blue and greenish beauty. With clear waters offering visibility of up to 15 meters, it is a popular destination for swimmers, divers, sailors, and surfers.
• Lake Hallstatt: One of Austria's most visited lakes, Lake Hallstatt is renowned for the UNESCO World Heritage Site town on its shores. The lake's shimmering and calm waters are perfect for swimming, scuba diving, boating, kayaking, and canoeing.
• Lake Traunsee: At 191 meters deep, Lake Traunsee is Austria's deepest lake and a favourite spot for divers. Surrounded by majestic mountains, flowering meadows, and picturesque towns, it is also a popular destination for sailing and windsurfing.
• Lake Zellersee: Formed about 10,000 years ago at the end of the last Ice Age, Lake Zellersee is fed by numerous mountain streams, keeping the water clear. Visitors can rent small electric boats, and activities such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing are popular.
• Lake Gosausee: A set of three lakes sitting against jagged mountains and the Dachstein Glacier, Gosausee offers a magical experience of swimming surrounded by snow-capped peaks. With clear waters, visitors can even see the glacier in the distance from underwater.
• Grüner See (Green Lake): Surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains and thick bluish forests, Grüner See gets its distinctive colour from the melting snow in spring, which causes the lake to rise and swallow the surrounding area. This phenomenon allows divers to see underwater bridges, trees, and even a bench.

Austria's climate

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, occupying an area of 83,858 square kilometres (32,386 square miles). It 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 is divided into nine federal states and has a population of around 9 million people. Its capital, Vienna, is the most populous city.

The eastern part of Austria exhibits a continental Pannonian climate, with a mean temperature in July typically exceeding 19°C and annual rainfall often less than 800 mm. This zone is characterised by hot summers and cold winters.

The central Alpine region, encompassing the Austrian Alps, exhibits the characteristic features of an Alpine climate, including high precipitation, short summers, and long winters. The influence of the Alps significantly impacts the country's climate.

The remaining portion of Austria belongs to the transitional central European climatic zone, influenced by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Ocean, and continental Europe. This zone is marked by a wet and temperate climate.

Austria's diverse topographical features, including mountain ranges, hills, and plains, contribute to variations in weather conditions across the country. The lowland regions in the north and east experience more continental-influenced conditions, with colder winters and hotter summers. In contrast, the southeastern areas enjoy longer and warmer summers, resembling a Mediterranean climate. The western part of the country, influenced by the temperate Atlantic climate, usually has mild winters and warm summers. This region also experiences high precipitation.

The climatic conditions in the mountainous regions of Austria give rise to the Alpine climate zone, where winters are colder at higher altitudes. Temperatures can change rapidly and dramatically with increasing elevation. The coldest month is typically January, and summer evenings are usually cool.

Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year in Austria, with the driest months being May, September, and the first half of October. April and November tend to be the wettest periods. The amount of rainfall varies with altitude, with high-level areas in the Alps receiving over 2000 mm of rainfall annually, while some lowland regions receive only about 600 mm. Thunderstorms, sometimes accompanied by heavy hail and snowfall, are common during the summer months in the mountainous regions.

Overall, Austria's climate is classified as Cfb (warm-tempered humid) and Dfb (humid snow) in the mountainous regions, according to the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system.

Austria's history

The history of Austria covers the history of Austria and its predecessor states. In the late Iron Age, Austria was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture (c. 800 BC), they first organized as a Celtic kingdom referred to by the Romans as Noricum, dating from c. 800 to 400 BC. At the end of the 1st century BC, the lands south of the Danube became part of the Roman Empire. In the Migration Period, 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).

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