Leslie Massey
Austria is bordered by eight countries: Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. To its south lie Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary. The southern border of Austria is about 251 miles long, with numerous border passes, including Birnlucke, which forms the boundary between the valleys of Ahrntal and Krimmler Achental and South Tyrol in Italy and Salzburg in Austria. The southern border of Austria is also characterised by the majestic mountains and magnificent scenery of the high Alps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Border length | 404 km or 251 miles |
| Border passes | Birnlucke, Brenner Pass, Timmelsjoch, Staller Saddle, Reschen Pass, Plocken pass, Hochjoch |
| Border states | South Tyrol, Salzburg |
| Population | 61 million+ |
| Area | 116,350 sq miles |
| Density | Most densely populated state in South Europe |
| Other countries bordering Austria | Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Germany |
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What You'll Learn
Italy shares a 251-mile border with Austria
Italy, an independent European state in South Europe, shares a 251-mile border with Austria. It is one of the four countries that share a land border with Italy, the others being France, Switzerland, and Slovenia. Italy has two enclaves, San Marino and the Vatican, which are the smallest and third-smallest states in the world, respectively.
Austria, on the other hand, is bordered by eight countries: Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. It is a landlocked state with a population of over 8,823,054. The country has a mountainous terrain, with its highest point being about 12,461 feet above sea level.
The Austria-Italy border has a rich history and has undergone numerous revisions over the years. In the aftermath of World War I, Austria was forced to surrender territories to Italy, and the two countries signed a border treaty in 1920. The biggest changes to the border occurred during this time, with southern Tyrol (now Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol) and the area around Tarvisio ceded to Italy under the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
The border between Austria and Italy is situated along the Alps, specifically the Zillertal Alp and the Venediger Group. There are several border passes along this border, including Birnlucke, Brenner Pass, Timmelsjoch, Staller Saddle, Reschen Pass, Plocken Pass, and Hochjoch. These passes provide important transportation routes between the two countries.
In recent years, Austria and Italy have heightened border security due to the increased infiltration of illegal immigrants across the border during the European migrant crisis. This issue has caused some tension between the two countries, with Austria deploying armored carriers along sections of the border to contain illegal migrants.
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Austria's south includes the Southern Limestone Alps
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing its borders with eight countries: Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. The country is predominantly mountainous, with the Alps making up a large part of its landscape.
The Southern Limestone Alps are distinct from the Central Alps, which include the higher peaks, due to differences in their geological composition. The Limestone Alps, including both the Northern and Southern ranges, are characterised by their lighter and more porous rock, composed of limestone, dolomite, marl, and sandstone. In contrast, the Central Alps are primarily composed of crystalline rocks, such as
The Southern Limestone Alps encompass several notable ranges, including the Dolomites, Carnic Alps, Julian Alps, Ortler Alps, and Vicentine Alps. These ranges offer a diverse landscape, featuring jagged peaks, sheer rock faces, high plateaus, and extensive areas of karst formations. The Southern Limestone Alps are not only geographically significant but also economically important, particularly as a watershed source of drinking water for the region.
The Alps, in general, play a crucial role in shaping Austria's geography and settlement patterns. While the Alps make many areas of Austria uninhabitable due to their rugged terrain and altitude, certain regions in and around the Alps are suitable for human settlement. These areas, known as "areas of permanent settlement," cover approximately 40% of the country and are primarily located in the lowlands, valleys, and hilly regions surrounding the Alps, where about two-thirds of Austria's population resides.
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The country's south-east has the lowest altitude
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing borders with eight countries: Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. It is a predominantly mountainous country, with the Alps running through it from west to east. The Central Alps, which include the Ötztal Alps and the High Tauern, form the largest and highest ranges in Austria. The altitude of the mountains drops north and south of these central ranges, with the country's southeast having the lowest altitude.
The parts of Austria that are most suitable for settlement are arable and climatically favourable. These areas run north of the Alps through the provinces of Upper Austria and Lower Austria in the Danube Valley, then curve east and south of the Alps through Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, and Styria. The least mountainous landscape in Austria is southeast of the low Leithagebirge, which forms the southern lip of the Vienna Basin, where the steppe of the Hungarian Plain begins.
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 altitude decreases further as the Northern and Central Alps run east, with the foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians accounting for around 12% of the country's total landmass.
The percentage of arable land in Austria increases in the east as the country becomes less alpine. The majority of the population lives in the lowlands or hilly regions north, east, and south of the Alps, with most people in the predominantly Alpine provinces residing in river valleys.
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South Tyrol was ceded to Italy in 1919
South of Austria lies Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary. The Treaty of Saint-Germain, signed in 1919, ceded the southern part of Tyrol to Italy. This was a result of the armistice signed between Austria-Hungary and Italy in November 1918, which ended the First World War. The Italian army quickly occupied South Tyrol, and Italy formally received the territory under the terms of the Treaty of Saint-Germain.
South Tyrol, or Südtirol in German, is an autonomous province in northern Italy with considerable legislative and executive powers. The province covers 7,400 square kilometres (2,857 sq mi) and has a population of about 534,000 as of 2021. Its capital and largest city is Bolzano, which became a centre of Italian administration after the annexation.
The cession of South Tyrol to Italy had significant implications for the region's demographics and culture. According to the last population census before World War I, conducted in 1910, the overwhelming majority of South Tyroleans spoke German and identified with Austrian or German nationality. However, the Italianisation of South Tyrol and the settlement of Italians from other parts of Italy after 1918 significantly altered the region's demographics.
Under Benito Mussolini's regime, which rose to power in 1922, the Italian government initiated a systematic programme of Italianising South Tyrol. German was forbidden in schools, German place names were replaced with Italian equivalents, and German-speaking civil servants were dismissed and replaced by Italians. The name "Tirol" was also forbidden. These actions sparked a struggle for self-determination and minority rights in the region.
To this day, the status of Tyrol remains a lingering issue between Austria and Italy, and there are numerous squares in Austrian cities named "Südtiroler Platz" (South Tyrolean Square) to commemorate the loss of the Austrian territories.
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The country's south-west is bordered by Switzerland
Austria is bordered by eight countries: Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. The country is predominantly mountainous, with the Alps running through it from west to east. The westernmost third of the country consists of a narrow corridor between Germany and Italy. The country's southwest is bordered by Switzerland and Italy.
Switzerland is a landlocked state located on the eastern side of Austria. It occupies an area of about 15,940 square miles and is made up of 26 cantons. Switzerland is geographically split between the Jura, Swiss Plateau, and the Alps. The country has a majority of its residents living in large cities like Geneva and Zurich, which are on the Swiss plateau. Together with Switzerland, Austria forms what has been characterized as the neutral core of Europe.
Austria's southwest border with Switzerland is about 98 miles long. The border runs from the eastern end, where Austria meets Switzerland and Germany near the Schwarzenberg-am-Bohmerwald village, to the western point at the border tripoint of the three countries. The Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg, which share a border with Switzerland, are characterized by the majestic mountains and magnificent scenery of the high Alps.
The Alpine landscape in the border region offers a complex geologic and topographical pattern, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner at 12,460 feet. The northern and southern limestone ranges of the Alps in this region are composed of rugged mountains, separated by a softer central range composed of crystalline rocks. The majestic mountains and scenic landscapes of the high Alps in this region make it a popular tourist destination for outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing.
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Frequently asked questions
Italy, Slovenia, and Hungary are located south of Austria.
The Central Alps, which consist of granite, are the largest and highest range in Austria.
The Danube River flows through Austria and empties into the Black Sea.
Großglockner is the highest mountain in Austria at 3,797 meters (12,461 feet).
Austria has a population of over 8,823,054.
