Damon Mcknight
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, strategically located at the heart of the continent. It is bordered by the Czech Republic to the north, 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's latitude of 47.5162° N and longitude of 14.5501° E place it in the northern and eastern hemispheres, respectively. Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, rising to 12,460 feet (3,798 meters) in the western state of Carinthia.
Explore related products
![13x19 Austria General Reference Wall Map [Rolled]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/A1SVn0X7g9L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Austria's geographic coordinates
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with a total area of 83,879 square kilometres (32,386 sq mi). It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Hungary and Slovakia to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The country is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria.
Austria's latitude and longitude are 47° 20' N and 13° 20' E, respectively. This places the country in the northern and eastern hemispheres, north of the equator. The northernmost point of Austria is located in Neumühlbach, in the state of Lower Austria, with a coordinate of 49°01' N. The southernmost point is in the state of Carinthia, with a latitude of 46°23' N, and it lies on the Austrian-Slovenian border. The easternmost point of Austria is in the state of Burgenland, in the municipality of Deutsch Jahrndorf in the Neusiedl am See, with a longitude of 17°9'38" E.
The capital of Austria is Vienna, located in the northeastern part of the country. Vienna's latitude and longitude are 48° 15' N and 16° 22' E, respectively. The city is known for its rich cultural life, including its strong historical connections to music, architecture, literature, and theatre.
Dialing Austrian Numbers: A Quick Guide to Success
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The country's landscape and topography
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 small country, stretching roughly 360 miles (580 km) from east to west and 280 km (170 mi) from north to south. The country is located in the northern and eastern hemispheres, with a latitude of 47.5162° N and a longitude of 14.5501° E.
Austria's landscape and topography are characterised by mountains, valleys, and plains. The country is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the nation. The Alps cover around 62% of the country's total area, with the Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps all partially found in Austria. The highest peak in Austria is Grossglockner, standing at 3,798 meters (12,460-12,461 feet) above sea level. The Austrian Alps are known for their majestic and awe-inspiring scenery, offering breathtaking views and popular destinations for hiking, skiing, and mountaineering.
The second-largest mountain area in Austria is the Austrian granite plateau, located in the central region of the Bohemian Mass. This lower mountain range covers about 10% of the country. The remaining areas of Austria consist of foothills, valleys, and plains. The major valleys include the Danube Valley, the Inn Valley, and the Salzach Valley, which serve as important transportation routes and tourist attractions. The Danube River, the only major European river flowing eastward, is a vital inland waterway connecting the Rhine and Main rivers to the Black Sea. The Danube Valley is a fertile and scenic region, and along with other valleys and plains, it supports agricultural activities in the country.
Austria's landscape also includes rolling hills, such as those found in the Central Uplands, and plateaus like the granite massif of the Bohemian Forest, located north of the Danube Valley. The country is home to several lakes, including those in the Alps and the typical steppe lake on the Hungarian Plain, showcasing the diversity of Austria's landscape. The Vienna Basin and the Pannonian Basin are the major plains in Austria, with the latter being part of the Pannonian plain that extends into eastern Austria.
Fuchs: Its Austrian Meaning and Cultural Significance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Austria's neighbours
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The capital of Austria, Vienna, is located on the Danube River.
Austria's geographic location has played a significant role in its prominence. It lies at the heart of Europe, connecting east and west through the Danubian trade route and north and south through the Alpine passes. This position has embedded the country within diverse political and economic systems. The Alpine landscape offers a complex geological and topographical pattern, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner, rising to 12,460 feet in the west.
The country is divided into nine federal states, with Vienna being unique as both a city and a state. The states are further subdivided into districts and statutory cities. The Eastern Alps constitute the largest area, covering 62% of Austria's total landmass. The Austrian foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for about 12%, while the foothills in the east and the Pannoni low country periphery make up another 12%.
Austria's bilateral relations with its neighbours are a key aspect of its foreign policy. The country prioritises cooperation and cultural exchange with its immediate neighbours, especially in the Alpine and Danube regions. Trade with these neighbouring countries accounts for more than half of Austria's trade flows. Among its neighbours, only Switzerland and Liechtenstein are not members of the EU.
Exploring Krems, Austria: A Weekend Itinerary
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The country's political status
Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a chancellor as the head of government and a president as the head of state. The country is divided into nine states (called Bundesländer), each with its own written constitution and governed according to the principles of representative democracy and the rule of law. The federal Parliament has two chambers: the directly elected Lower House (Nationalrat) and the Upper House (Bundesrat), elected by regional parliaments. The president of Austria is directly elected by a popular majority vote, and the chancellor is selected by the president. The chancellor is responsible for forming a government based on the partisan composition of the lower house of parliament.
Austria's political system, known as the Second Republic, is based on the constitution of 1920, amended in 1929 and re-enacted on 1 May 1945. The country's constitution is widely regarded as robust and conducive to peaceful change. Austria's First Republic (1918-1938) implemented pioneering social welfare reforms in the 1920s, but it gradually transitioned into an Austrofascist dictatorship under Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, who was assassinated by Nazi agents in 1934. The First Republic ended with its annexation to Nazi Germany in 1938.
Following World War II, Austria resumed its republican government and established permanent neutrality in 1955, coinciding with the withdrawal of Allied troops. The conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the centre-left Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) dominated the political landscape for decades, along with the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ). However, the two-party dominance has recently been challenged by newer parties like the Greens and NEOS.
Austria has been a member of the European Union since 1995, and it actively participates in various EU institutions and committees. It is also a signatory to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Council of Europe, which it ratified in 1958.
Bringing Parents to Austria: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Austria's historical significance
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic to the north, 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 largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, which rises to 12,460 feet (3,798 meters). The landscape also includes forests, foothills, and the Danube River, which winds between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia.
Austria has a rich and complex history that dates back to the late Iron Age when it was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture, known as the Kingdom of Noricum. This kingdom included most of modern-day Austria and parts of modern-day Slovenia. In 16 BC, the Kingdom of Noricum was conquered by the Roman Empire and made into a province called Noricum, which lasted until 476. The regions of today's Austria that were not within the province of Noricum were divided between the Roman provinces of Pannonia and Raetia.
During the Migration Period in the 6th century, the Bavarii, a Germanic people, occupied the lands south of the Danube until they fell to the Frankish Empire in the 9th century. The first recorded instance of the name 'Austria' appeared in 996, in a document of King Otto III, written as "Ostarrîchi." In the 12th century, Austria was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria, and it became an independent duchy (later an archduchy) of the Holy Roman Empire in 1156.
Austria's history has been influenced by its geographic position at the center of European trade and transport routes. This has embedded the country within a variety of political and economic systems. In the late 18th century, Austria was involved in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), resulting in the loss of most of Silesia to the Prussians.
From 1273 to 1918, Austria was dominated by the House of Habsburg and House of Habsburg-Lorraine. During this period, the Habsburgs accumulated territories in the vicinity of the Duchy of Austria and began to acquire land further away from their hereditary lands. In the 16th and 17th centuries, conflicts with the Ottoman Empire led to the expansion of Austrian rule into Bohemia and Hungary.
In the 20th century, Austria experienced social and economic turbulence following the collapse of the Austria-Hungary empire in 1918. The country was annexed to Germany by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler in 1938, with significant support from Austrians. After World War II, Austria regained its independence and established permanent neutrality in 1955, marking the beginning of its development into a stable and socially progressive nation. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.
Indian Population in Austria: How Many?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The absolute location of Austria's capital, Vienna, is 48°13′N, 16°22′E. The country lies between latitudes 46° and 49° N, and longitudes 9° and 18° E.
The northernmost point of Austria is located in Neumühlbach, with coordinates of 49°01’ N.
The southernmost point of Austria is located in the state of Carinthia, with a latitude of 46°23’ N.
The easternmost point of Austria is in the state of Burgenland, with a longitude of 17°9’38” E.
The westernmost point of Austria is Lake Constance (German Bodensee), on the Austrian-Swiss-German border.
