Lyla Lindsey
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, strategically located at the crossroads of several important trade routes. The country is bordered by eight nations: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The country also boasts many lakes, including Lake Constance (Bodensee) and the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee). The Danube, the second-longest river in Europe, is the most significant river in Austria, and it winds its way through the country alongside other major rivers such as the Drau, Enns, Inn, Mur, Raab, and Traun.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country Type | Landlocked |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | South-Central Europe |
| Hemisphere | Northern and Eastern |
| Bordering Countries | 8: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany |
| Highest Point | 12,460 ft. (3,798 m) |
| Highest Mountain | Grossglockner |
| Longest River | Danube (1,771 miles) (2,850 km) |
| Largest Lake | Lake Neusiedler |
| Number of Federated States | 9 |
| States | Vorarlberg, Tirol, Salzburg, Kärnten (Carinthia), Steiermark (Styria), Upper Austria (Oberösterreich), Lower Austria (Niederösterreich), Vienna, Burgenland |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Landscape | Mountains, Forests, Valleys, Lowlands, Hills |
| Forest Cover | 47% of total land area (3,899,150 hectares) |
| Total Area | 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi) |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's borders
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing its borders with eight other nations. To the north, Austria borders the Czech Republic, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia to the south, Italy to the southwest, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, and Germany to the northwest.
The country is strategically located at the crossroads of central Europe, providing a vital trade route between east and west via the Danubian trade route, and between north and south through the Alpine passes. The landscape is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Central Alps, which include the High Tauern in East Tyrol and Carinthia, are the largest and highest ranges in Austria, with the Grossglockner mountain reaching 3,797-3,798 meters in elevation.
The Northern Calcareous Alps run from Vorarlberg through Tyrol into Salzburg along the German border, while the Southern Calcareous Alps, predominantly composed of limestone and dolomite, run along the Carinthia-Slovenia border. The Alpine landscape also includes many valleys, which for centuries served as passageways to the east and southeast of Europe, and even to the Holy Land during the medieval period.
The Austrian landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Danube River, the second-longest in Europe, winding between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in its journey towards the Hungarian Plain. The country's highest point is located at 3,798 meters above sea level, while its lowest point is Lake Neusiedl at 115.45 meters.
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Mountainous landscape
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, characterised by its mountainous landscape. The Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with the largest mountainous area being the Eastern Alps, which constitute 62% of the country's total area. The Austrian Central Uplands are located in the northeastern part of the country and are characterised by rolling hills, plateaus, and fertile valleys. The Central Uplands are an important agricultural and forestry region.
The country's highest point, at 12,460 ft. (3,798 m), is Großglockner, located in the Tauern Range. The Northern Calcareous Alps, which run from Vorarlberg through Tyrol into Salzburg along the German border, and the Southern Calcareous Alps, on the Carinthia-Slovenia border, are predominantly limestone and dolomite. The altitude of the mountains drops north and south of the central ranges.
The Austrian Lake District, or Salzkammergut, is located in the central part of the country and is characterised by crystal-clear lakes, rolling hills, and charming villages. The region is home to several famous lakes, including Wolfgangsee, Hallstätter See, and Attersee, which offer opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. The surrounding hills and mountains provide hiking and biking trails with stunning views of the lakes and surrounding landscapes.
Austria's landscape is diverse, with forests covering around 40-50% of the country. The granite massif of the Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range with bare and windswept plateaus and a harsh climate, is located north of the Danube Valley and covers 10% of Austria's area. The country's lowest point is Lake Neusiedl at 115.45 m (378.8 ft).
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Rivers and lakes
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, characterised by its mountainous landscape. The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with majestic mountains and valleys, forests, meadows, Alpine pastures, and lakes. The country is also crisscrossed by powerful rivers.
The Alpine landscape offers a complex geologic and topographical pattern, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner, at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters). The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are characterised by the high Alps. This high Alpine character also extends to the western part of the state of Kärnten (Carinthia), to the Salzkammergut region of central Austria, and to the Alpine blocks of the state of Steiermark (Styria).
The country's highest point is located in the Tauern Range, which eventually slopes into the Danube River Valley and into the eastern lowlands, from Vienna, south to its border with Slovenia. The Danube is the most significant river in the country and the second-longest river in Europe, at 1,771 miles (2,850 km). It is a vital waterway for commerce, and 96% of the country drains into the Danube system, which flows into the Black Sea. The Danube winds between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in its journey toward the Alföld, or Hungarian Plain. Vienna lies in the area where the Danube emerges from between the mountains into the drier plains.
Other rivers of size in Austria include the Drau, Enns, Inn, Mur, Raab, and Traun. Dozens of lakes run amidst the mountain ranges, especially in the south and to the immediate east of Salzburg. The largest lake in the country is Lake Neusiedler, which, at 115.45 m (378.8 ft), is also the lowest point in Austria. Other notable lakes include Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west, and the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) in the east.
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Forest cover
Austria is a landlocked country in South-Central Europe, characterised by its mountains and forests. The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with the highest elevation being Grossglockner at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters). The country's landscape is also dotted with dozens of lakes, especially in the south and to the immediate east of Salzburg. The largest lakes are Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west and the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) in the east.
The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are known for their majestic mountains and high Alpine scenery. This high Alpine landscape also extends to the western part of Kärnten (Carinthia), the Salzkammergut region of central Austria, and the state of Steiermark (Styria). North of the main Alpine spur lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the northern Alps and the Danube. This area includes a portion of the Bohemian Massif, which extends across the Czech border into Niederösterreich (Lower Austria).
The Danube River is the most significant river in Austria, and the second-longest in Europe, serving as a vital waterway for commerce. The river winds its way through the country, emerging from between the mountains into drier plains as it passes through Vienna. The Tauern Range slopes into the Danube River Valley and the eastern lowlands, leading to the border with Slovenia.
Austria's landscape has experienced some forest degradation due to both air and soil pollution. Soil pollution is caused by agricultural chemicals, while air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations, industrial plants, and transit trucks travelling between northern and southern Europe.
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Cities and settlements
Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe, with 47% forest cover. The country is divided into nine federated states (Bundeslander). The states of Burgenland and Vienna were established after World War I. Vienna is the capital of Austria and is an independent state, with the City Council and Mayor functioning as the state parliament and state governor, respectively.
The Central Alps, which consist largely of a granite base, are the largest and highest ranges in Austria. The Central Alps include the High Tauern in East Tyrol and Carinthia, which contains the country's highest point, the Grossglockner, at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters). The Alpine landscape also includes the Northern Calcareous Alps and the Southern Calcareous Alps, which are predominantly composed of limestone and dolomite. The Northern Calcareous Alps run from Vorarlberg through Tyrol into Salzburg and Upper Austria, while the Southern Calcareous Alps lie along the Carinthia-Slovenia border.
The Austrian landscape is characterized by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are known for their majestic mountains and stunning Alpine scenery. This high Alpine landscape extends to the western part of Kärnten (Carinthia) and the central region of Salzkammergut. North of the main Alpine spur lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the Northern Alps and the Danube River, which includes the northern portion of Upper Austria.
The Danube River is the most significant river in Austria, serving as a vital waterway for commerce. It winds its way through the country, emerging from between the mountains into the drier plains near Vienna. Other important rivers in Austria include the Drau, Enns, Inn, Mur, Raab, and Traun. The lowlands east of Vienna can be considered a western extension of the Little Hungarian Plain.
Austria's landscape is dotted with numerous lakes, many of which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch by glacial erosion. The largest lakes are Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west and the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) in the east. Lake Neusiedl, at 115.45 meters (378.8 feet), is the lowest point in Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing borders with eight countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany. It is a predominantly mountainous country, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Central Alps are the largest and highest ranges in Austria, with the country's highest point, Grossglockner, rising to 12,460 ft (3,798 m). The country is also home to dozens of lakes, many of them a legacy of the Pleistocene Epoch. The largest lake is Lake Neusiedler.
The Danube River is the most significant river in Austria, and at 1,771 miles (2,850 km), it is the second-longest river in Europe. It winds its way through the country, emerging from between the mountains into drier plains in Vienna. Other major rivers in Austria include the Drau, Enns, Inn, Mur, Raab, and Traun.
Vienna lies in the area where the Danube River emerges from the mountains into the plains. The city is located in the northeastern part of the country and is surrounded by hills and lowlands. The Vienna Basin, which is southeast of the low Leithagebirge, forms the southern lip of the city.
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