
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with a total land area of 84,000 square kilometres. It is bordered to the north by the Czech Republic, to the northeast by Slovakia, to the east by Hungary, to the south by Slovenia, to the southwest by Italy, to the west by Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and to the northwest by Germany. The country is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The capital of Austria is Vienna, which is also the country's most populous city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Central Europe, Western Europe |
| Total area | 83,871 km2 or 32,383 sq mi |
| Land boundaries | 2,562 km |
| Coastline | 0 km |
| Countries bordering | Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany |
| Highest point | Grossglockner (3,798 m) |
| Lowest point | Neusiedler See (115 m) |
| Natural resources | Oil, coal, silver, gold, diamonds |
| Waterways | Danube River |
| Mountain ranges | Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, Southern Limestone Alps, Austrian granite plateau |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Population | 8,949,801 (2022) |
| Government | Federal, representative democratic republic |
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What You'll Learn

Austria is located in Central Europe
Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, 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, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner, at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters). The Alpine landscape offers a complex geological and topographical pattern, with majestic mountains and magnificent scenery. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are particularly known for their high Alpine character.
Austria's location at the interface of important transport routes between the north and south, as well as the east and west, offers excellent links to the European transport infrastructure. The country has well-developed motorways and expressways, railway connections, and even the Danube as a waterway, all of which contribute to its outstanding connectivity. The city of Innsbruck, located in the geographical centre of the Inn River valley, has been an important transportation hub since medieval times.
Austria's central location has also contributed to its prominence as a business hub. The country is located at the junctions of important data and power lines, and its stable energy supply, largely consisting of green energy, makes it an attractive location for companies. Additionally, Austria's membership in the European Union and its location at the heart of the New Europe further enhance its significance in the region.
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The country is landlocked
Austria's landlocked position has influenced its history and development. The country has been a crucial link in trade and transportation routes between east and west, as well as north and south. The famous Danubian trade route and the Alpine passes have contributed to Austria's economic and political engagement with its neighbouring countries.
Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the country's physical backbone. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps are all partially located in Austria, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner, rising 3,798 meters above sea level.
The mountainous terrain has shaped the geography of the country, particularly in the western region, where glaciers have formed numerous East-West-oriented mountain ranges and river valleys. The Inn River valley, for example, is a significant geographical feature in North Tirol, with the city of Innsbruck serving as a vital transportation hub since medieval times.
Austria's landlocked status and central location have contributed to its prominence and attractiveness as a business hub. The country has invested significantly in its telecommunications infrastructure, offering state-of-the-art networks. Additionally, its stable energy supply and favourable green energy mix further enhance its appeal as a business location, providing a high quality of life and affordability for companies and residents alike.
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Austria is a member of the European Union
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a total land area of 84,000 square kilometres (or 32,377 square miles). It lies between latitudes 47°20′ N and longitudes 13°20′ E. The country is bordered by important transport routes between the North and South, as well as East and West, offering excellent links to the rest of Europe's transport infrastructure. Austria has a well-developed network of motorways and expressways, railway connections, and the Danube as a waterway, complemented by a dense network of flight connections.
Austria's path to EU membership began after the country regained its full sovereignty following World War II. In the 1970s, the Austrian Bundesländer started to strive for a change in the Constitution to increase their power. This led to several constitutional changes that brought improvements for the Bundesländer, including the competence to conclude treaties under international law with Austria's neighbouring states. The Bundesländer supported Austria's intention to join the EU, despite concerns about another level being added to the existing struggle for competences with the central authorities in Vienna.
Austria was one of the founding members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in 1960, along with Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The aim of EFTA was to provide a framework for the liberalization of trade in goods among its member states and act as a counterbalance to the emerging European Economic Community (EEC). The European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement, signed in 1992, allowed EFTA countries like Austria to participate in the EU internal market. However, it did not cover all areas of EU policy, and for most EFTA countries, membership was a stepping stone to joining the EU.
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The country is mountainous
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. Covering an area of 32,377 square miles (84,000 square kilometres), it is not one of the largest EU member states. However, Austria is notable for its central location in Europe, which makes it a key transport hub. The country is well-connected to the international rail network, and its road network includes 2,000 kilometres of well-developed motorways and expressways.
The foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for around 12% of the country's total area. A further 12% is made up of the foothills in the east and areas surrounding the Pannoni low country. The second-largest mountain area in Austria is the Austrian granite plateau, which is located in the north of the country. This area is much lower than the Alps but still counts as mountainous terrain. It accounts for 10% of the country's total area.
The Inn River valley runs through North Tirol from east to west, and the city of Innsbruck sits at its geographical centre. Innsbruck is an important transport hub, anchoring the northern end of the Brenner pass, one of the few North-South passes in the Eastern Alps. The Brenner pass was historically one of the principal roads connecting the German and Italian domains of the Holy Roman Empire.
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$12.24 $18

Austria has a central location in Europe
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a total land area of 84,000 square kilometres. It is bordered to the north by the Czech Republic, to the northeast by Slovakia, to the east by Hungary, to the south by Slovenia, to the southwest by Italy, to the west by Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and to the northwest by Germany. The country is largely mountainous due to its location in the Alps, 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, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner at 3,798 meters.
Austria's central location in Europe has made it a significant transport hub. The country is well-connected to the international rail network, with important train stations located in Vienna, Innsbruck, Linz, Graz, and Salzburg. Additionally, Austria has a well-developed network of motorways and expressways, with a total of 2,232 kilometres in 2019. The country is also linked to international water transport through the Danube River, a major trade route connecting Europe's east and west.
Austria's central location has also contributed to its prominence as a business hub. The country is located at the junction of important data and power lines, offering state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure. Additionally, Austria's stable energy supply, largely consisting of green energy, makes it an attractive location for companies. The country's membership in the European Union and its optimal connection to pan-European transport infrastructure further enhance its appeal for businesses.
The capital of Austria is Vienna, a city renowned for its architecture and historical significance as the former seat of the Holy Roman Empire. Vienna is also a major transportation hub, with an international airport offering connections to other European capitals within a three-hour flight time. Austria's six commercial airports, well-developed motorway and expressway network, railway connections, and waterways ensure quick and efficient accessibility to all regions, especially in Eastern Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is a small, landlocked country in Central Europe.
Austria is bordered by Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, and Slovenia.
Austria is a largely mountainous country, with the Alps running through it. The Central Eastern Alps, Northern Limestone Alps, and Southern Limestone Alps are all partly in Austria. The country also has several rivers, including the Danube, Enns, Inn, and Drava.
The capital of Austria is Vienna.





















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