Leslie Massey
Austria and Germany are neighbouring countries in Central Europe. They share an 801km (497-498 mi) border, which is crossed by the German-Austrian border near Jungholz. The two countries have a complex shared history, with Austria and German states under the Kingdom of Germany being parts of the Holy Roman Empire from 1156 to 1806. In 1938, Austria was annexed into Germany by Nazi Germany, but after World War II, Austria was occupied separately from Germany until it regained its sovereignty and declared its neutrality in 1955. Geographically, the two countries are separated by the Alps, which form the southern border of Germany and extend into Austria, where they are the largest and highest mountain ranges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | Germany: 83.2 million; Austria: 9 million |
| Capital | Germany: Berlin; Austria: Vienna |
| Population of capital | Germany: 3.7 million; Austria: 2 million |
| Geography | Germany: varied topography; Austria: predominantly mountainous |
| Highest mountain | Germany: N/A; Austria: Großglockner (nearly 3,800 meters) |
| River | Germany: Danube River Basin; Austria: Danube River |
| Forest cover | Germany: N/A; Austria: 47% of total land area (3,899,150 hectares) |
| Political system | Germany: Federal Republic; Austria: Federal Parliamentary Republic |
| EU member | Germany: Yes; Austria: Yes, since 1995 |
| NATO member | Germany: Yes, since 1955; Austria: No |
| Currency | Germany: Euro (€); Austria: Euro (€) |
| Border length | Germany: N/A; Austria: 2,534 km (1,574 mi) |
| Border countries | Germany: Austria, Switzerland, etc.; Austria: Germany, Switzerland, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The Alps and the Danube River
Austria and Germany are neighbouring countries in Central Europe. They share an 801-kilometre-long border. Germany is the larger of the two, with a population of 83.2 million, while Austria is home to about 9 million people.
The Danube River, a major European river, flows through both Austria and Germany. It played a crucial role in the history of both countries, serving as a trade route and a source of water for agriculture and industry. The Danube basin, including Upper and Lower Austria, was once the easternmost extent of Bavaria. Today, the population of Austria is concentrated on the eastern lowlands of the Danube due to steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures in other regions.
In addition to the Alps and the Danube River, other geographical features along the border between Austria and Germany include the Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range with bare and windswept plateaus, and the Manhartsberg, a granite ridge. These features contribute to the diverse landscapes and natural boundaries between the two countries.
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Austria's neutrality
Austria's unique geographical position has also played a role in its neutrality. Located in Central Europe, Austria has historically been a crossroads between eastern and western Europe, as well as a key route between northern and southern Europe. The country's landscape is characterised by mountains, forests, and the Danube River, which have influenced its history and development. The Alps, in particular, have shaped the country's culture and politics, as they have served as both a connector and a barrier.
Since declaring its neutrality, Austria has worked to maintain its neutral status while also engaging in international affairs. The country joined the European Union in 1995, alongside other neutral countries like Finland and Sweden, and participated in UN-led peacekeeping missions and humanitarian efforts. However, Austria's commitment to neutrality has also presented challenges, especially in the context of modern geopolitical conflicts. For example, in 2023, Freedom Party politicians protested a speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, arguing that it violated Austria's neutrality.
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Germany's population
Germany has one of the world's highest life expectancies, access to universal healthcare, and a strong social welfare system. Despite this, there are challenges, particularly with an aging population, a struggling economy, and an increasing number of children living in poverty. The median age in the country is 45.5 years, and the fertility rate is 1.37 children per woman as of 2007.
Historically, Germany has relied on full state-mandated censuses to measure its demographics. However, due to privacy concerns after reunification, regular censuses were discontinued until the EU-mandated German Census in 2011, which occurs every 10 years. The most recent census data from 2021 shows that 778,080 births occurred in 2019, with 258,835 of those children born to unmarried parents, representing around 33% of births. This percentage has been gradually increasing over time.
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Austria's borders
Austria is bordered by several countries, including Germany to the northwest. The two countries share a long history, with Austria even briefly renaming itself the Republic of German-Austria after World War I in an attempt to unite with Germany. However, this union was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
Austria is a mountainous country, with the Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps rise to nearly 3,800 meters at the Großglockner (or Glockner) peak, Austria's highest mountain in the west. The country can be divided into three unequal geographical areas. The Central Alps, which include areas that are permanently glaciated, are the largest and highest ranges in Austria. The Northern Calcareous Alps and the Southern Calcareous Alps are predominantly composed of limestone and dolomite. 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 national borders and geography have not always corresponded. The Alps and the Danube have not served to mark political boundaries, and even within Austria, provincial borders were only occasionally set by the ranges and ridges of the Alps. However, the Alps often separated groups of people from one another, and the inhabitants of one valley frequently developed distinct regional subcultures, including unique dialects, traditional dress, architectural styles, and folklore.
Austria shares land borders with Switzerland (158 km), Liechtenstein (34 km), Germany (801 km), the Czech Republic (402 km), Slovakia (105 km), Hungary (331 km), Slovenia (330 km), and Italy (404 km). The country is approximately 600 km long and has a maximum north-south width of 280 km. It extends roughly 360 miles (580 km) from east to west.
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Historical ties
Austria and Germany share a history that goes back to the early Germanic tribes. The ancestors of Austrians were the Germanic Bavarians or Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians). The Baiuvarii established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included the March of Pannonia that would become Austria around 970. Later, the Bavarian Austria came under East Francia (Kingdom of Germany) from 843 to 962. It then separated from the Duchy of Bavaria to become a sovereign state in 1156.
From 1156 to 1806, Austria (not including its non-German lands) and other German states under the Kingdom of Germany were parts of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria itself. During this period, the numerous German states within the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) constantly jostled for power and influence, often warring against each other. In the 18th century, the Kingdom of Prussia rose as another influential power within the HRE, becoming Austria's main rival for dominance over their neighbouring German states. Prussia and Austria fought a series of wars over the province of Silesia (in modern-day southwestern Poland) between 1740 and 1763.
After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation as a new organisation among the German states, in which Prussia and Austria became reunited. It was during this period that the ideology of Pan-Germanism started to rise. The German Confederation lacked a monarch or a central government with real unifying force, and this led to diplomatic tension between Prussia and Austria, who had competing ambitions to create a unified Germany under their different proposals. Austria proposed to unite the German states in a union centred on, and dominated by, the Habsburgs, while Prussia hoped to become the central force in unifying the German states and to exclude Austria from its affairs.
In 1866, Austria was separated from Germany and the German Confederation was dissolved. In 1867, the multi-ethnic Austro-Hungarian Empire was established and led by Austria. It was rivalled by the North German Confederation from 1866 to 1871 and the German Empire led by the Kingdom of Prussia. After the 1871 unification of Germany, Austria was excluded from the Prussian-dominated German Empire. The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, or Anschluss, was not new, and it gained support after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. However, the Treaty of Saint-Germain and Treaty of Versailles forbade both the union and the continued use of the name "German-Austria".
In the 1920s, the Anschluss proposal had strong support in both Austria and Germany, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and centre. After Austrian-born Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, he demanded the right to Anschluss (union) between Austria and Germany. This was initially blocked by the Italian Fascist government under Benito Mussolini, who feared retrospective territorial demands from Hitler on Südtirol (South Tyrol). However, in 1938, Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians. This annexation was known as the Anschluss and was seen as a reunification.
After Germany's defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened, and in 1955, Austria again became an independent republic as the Second Austrian Republic. Austria and Germany have been separate countries since 1955.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria and Germany are neighbouring countries in Central Europe. They share an 801km (497mi) border.
The border has changed over time. From 843 to 962, Austria was part of the Kingdom of Germany. It became a sovereign state in 970 and was part of the Holy Roman Empire from 1156 to 1806. From 1815 to 1866, Austria led the German Confederation. In 1918, after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria and sought unification with Germany, but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. In 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria, but this was reversed in 1945. Since then, Austria and Germany have been separate countries.
Austria and Germany have a long and intertwined history and share many traditions. However, they have distinct cultures and national identities. Only 6% of Austrians identify as Germans.
