Leslie Massey
Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe, sharing borders with several other European countries. The closest country to Austria is likely to be one of its neighbours, which include Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, and Croatia. The country's geography and national borders have historically corresponded very little, with the Alps and the Danube not serving as political boundaries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Total Area | 83,871 sq km (32,383 sq mi) |
| Bordering Countries | Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Liechtenstein |
| Switzerland Border Length | 158 km (98 mi) |
| Liechtenstein Border Length | 34 km (21 mi) |
| Germany Border Length | 801 km (497 mi) |
| Czech Republic Border Length | 402 km (249 mi) |
| Slovakia Border Length | 105 km (65 mi) |
| Hungary Border Length | 331 km (205 mi) |
| Slovenia Border Length | 330 km (185 mi) |
| Italy Border Length | 404 km (251 mi) |
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What You'll Learn
Austria borders Switzerland
Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Switzerland to the west, along with Liechtenstein, Germany, and the Czech Republic to the north, Hungary to the east, and Slovenia, Italy, and Slovakia to the south. The country's geography is largely defined by the Alps and the Danube, which do not correspond with its national borders or provincial borders within Austria. The Alps have historically separated groups of people within Austria, leading to the development of distinct regional subcultures in the valleys.
Switzerland, which borders Austria, is a landlocked state on the eastern side of the country. It occupies an area of about 15,940 square miles and is made up of 26 cantons. Switzerland and Austria share a 158-kilometre (98-mile) or 112-mile boundary in two places. The shortest stretch of this boundary runs through the Alpine Rhine into Lake Constance, while the longest stretch extends through the Grison Alps. The boundary between the two countries is divided by Liechtenstein, a double-landlocked state bordered by Switzerland to the south and west and Austria to the north and east.
The current Austria-Switzerland boundary is the result of the establishment of the Helvetic Republic around 1798. Switzerland's relations with the European Union, of which it is not a member, are governed by a comprehensive set of agreements. In contrast, Liechtenstein is a member of the European Economic Area. Switzerland is geographically split between the Jura, the Swiss Plateau, and the Alps, with the majority of its population living in large cities like Geneva and Zurich on the Swiss Plateau.
Austria's relations with its neighbouring countries, including Switzerland, are a regional priority of its foreign policy. Factors such as longstanding historical links, common borders, geographical similarities, especially in the Alpine and Danube regions, intense economic interrelations, and close cultural exchange are of particular relevance in this context. Austria also pays special attention to the protection of Austrian and Ladin minorities in South Tyrol, Italy, through agreements such as the Paris Agreement of 1946 and the South Tyrol Package of 1969.
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Austria and Germany share a long border
Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe, sharing borders with multiple countries. One of these is Germany, with which Austria shares its longest border—801 km or 497 miles. This international boundary runs from east to west, with the westernmost point at the border tripoint of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and the easternmost point where the two countries meet with the Czech Republic.
Austria and Germany's shared border has a significant impact on the geography and culture of both countries. The border traverses through various landscapes, including the Alps, and affects the movement of people, goods, and services between the two nations. The borderlands also showcase the close historical and cultural ties between Austria and Germany, with several states and regions on both sides sharing a common heritage.
One notable feature of the Austria-Germany border is the Ammer Saddle, a mountain pass on the Alps that connects Bavaria in Germany to Tyrol in Austria. This pass is not just a geographical landmark but also a symbol of the interconnectedness between the two countries, facilitating trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. The states of Upper Austria, Salzburg, and Tyrol in Austria, and Bavaria in Germany, all play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics along this border.
The border between Austria and Germany is also significant in the context of European integration and regional cooperation. Both countries are members of the European Union, and their shared border reflects the ongoing process of European unification. The free movement of people and goods across this border, facilitated by agreements like the Schengen Agreement, has contributed to the economic and cultural interchange between the two nations.
In summary, Austria and Germany share a long and dynamic border that not only defines the geographical relationship between the two countries but also shapes their cultural, economic, and political interactions. The border serves as a reminder of the close historical ties between Austria and Germany and continues to play a pivotal role in the regional dynamics of Central Europe.
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The Czech Republic borders Austria to the north
Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe, sharing land borders with several other nations. To the north, Austria is bordered by Germany and the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic, a unitary parliamentary state in Central Europe, shares a 402 km (249 mi) border with Austria. This border is particularly significant as it separates two distinct cultural and linguistic regions. The Czech Republic has a population of over 10.6 million people, with its capital and largest city, Prague, boasting over 1.3 million residents.
The Czech Republic's border with Austria is not its only shared boundary, as it is also bordered by Germany to the north and west, Poland to the north, and Austria's eastern neighbour, Slovakia, to the east. The landscape of the Czech Republic is quite diverse, with a mixture of plains, hills, and mountains. The country has a strong industrial base, particularly in automotive manufacturing, and its economy is closely linked with that of Austria through trade and tourism.
The border between Austria and the Czech Republic has a long and fascinating history. The two countries have had a complex relationship over the centuries, with periods of cooperation and conflict. The border has been a site of cultural exchange, trade, and migration, but it has also witnessed political tensions and conflicts. The fall of the Iron Curtain and the subsequent expansion of the European Union have transformed the dynamics between the two countries, fostering greater cooperation and integration.
The border regions of Austria and the Czech Republic exhibit cultural and linguistic diversity. The proximity to the border has influenced the development of unique traditions, customs, and even dialects in these areas. Additionally, the borderlands are known for their picturesque landscapes, featuring rolling hills, dense forests, and charming villages. The shared border has also facilitated cultural and economic exchanges, with cross-border collaborations in the arts, tourism, and trade flourishing in recent years.
In conclusion, the Czech Republic's northern border with Austria is not just a geographical boundary but a dynamic interface where cultural exchange, economic interaction, and historical events have shaped the relationship between these two Central European nations. The proximity of the two countries has influenced their shared history and continues to impact their cultural, social, and economic landscapes.
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Austria's eastern border is with Hungary
Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, and Liechtenstein. Austria's eastern border is with Hungary, and this border is approximately 331 kilometres (205 miles) long. The current borders between Austria and Hungary were established by the Trianon Treaty, which was signed in 1920. From the end of the Second World War until 1989, when communism collapsed in Hungary, the two countries were separated by an electric border fence.
Austria has a total area of 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 square miles) and is one of the least densely populated states in Western and Central Europe due to the Alps. The country's geography and national borders have historically corresponded very little. The Alps and the Danube River have not served as political boundaries since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. While the Alps did not mark political boundaries, they often separated groups of people, leading to the development of distinct regional subcultures in different valleys.
Hungary, which borders Austria to the east, is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It occupies an area of about 35,920 square miles and has a population of over 9.7 million people. Budapest is the country's largest city and capital. Other major urban regions in Hungary include Gyor, Pecs, Szeged, and Debrecen.
Austria's foreign policy priorities include maintaining strong relations with its neighbouring countries, including Hungary. This includes cooperation in addressing challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and participation in regional cooperation programmes such as the "Central Five" alongside Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
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Italy is south of Austria
Austria and Italy have a long shared history. After the First World War, South Tyrol, which had been part of Austria for centuries, was ceded to Italy under the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919. The years between the two World Wars were characterised by the oppression of the German-speaking population in South Tyrol, who were deprived of their rights under the Fascist regime. Austria is now mandated with exercising a protective function vis-à-vis Italy for the Austrian and Ladin minorities in South Tyrol, to secure their continued ethnic, cultural, social, and economic existence.
Austria and Italy also have strong economic ties. With the introduction of a common currency, economic and financial barriers between the two countries have been substantially dismantled. Trade with immediate neighbours accounts for more than half of Austria's trade flows, and Italy is one of Austria's closest economic partners.
In addition to economic ties, Italy and Austria also share geographical similarities, especially in the Alpine regions. The Alps have historically served as a transit route between the two countries, with the Brenner Pass being one of the principal passes through the Eastern Alpine range. However, the Alps have also separated groups of people within each country, leading to distinct regional subcultures and dialects.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria shares its borders with eight countries: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy.
The Austria-Switzerland border is 158 km or 98 miles long.
Germany has the longest border with Austria, stretching 801 km or 497 miles.
