Lyla Lindsey
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The Alps cover nearly three-quarters of the country, and Austria's geographic location has embedded the country within a variety of political and economic systems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Central Europe |
| Relative Location | Landlocked; bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Population | 9 million |
| Area | 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi) |
| Population Density | 93 inhabitants per square kilometre |
| Terrain | Mostly mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country; the remaining 10% of the country is made up of the Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range |
| Climate | Cool/temperate; alpine climate predominant due to the Alps, with humid westerly winds, cold winters, and relatively high summer temperatures |
| Economy | Highly industrialized; well-developed social market economy; part of the European Union's single market |
| GDP per Capita | €46,200, ranking 5th in the EU |
| Natural Resources | Oil, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower |
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What You'll Learn
Austria is landlocked and mountainous
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north and northeast by Slovakia, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. Mountains and forests give the Austrian landscape its character.
Austria is a largely mountainous country. The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country. Nearly three-quarters of the country are dominated by the Alps, with the highest elevation being the Grossglockner at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters). The Alps may be subdivided into a northern and a southern limestone range, composed of rugged mountains. These two ranges are separated by a softer central range composed of crystalline rocks. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are characterized by the high mountains and magnificent scenery of 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).
North of the massive Alpine spur lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the northern Alps and the Danube. The lowland area east of Vienna, together with the northern part of the state of Burgenland, may be regarded as a western extension of the Little Alföld (Little Hungarian Plain). 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.
Austria's landscape is largely shaped by its mountainous terrain. The country has a cool/temperate climate, with humid westerly winds predominating. The alpine climate is predominant, with the east showing more continental features and less rain. The country experiences cold winters, with temperatures as low as -10°C, but summer temperatures can be relatively high, reaching the mid-20s on average and a record high of 40.5°C in August 2013.
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It borders 8 countries
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Germany borders Austria to the northwest. Germany has historically been Austria's main trading partner, and the two countries have close ties. The Danube River, which flows through Austria, originates in southwestern Germany and empties into the Black Sea. The Brenner Pass, located on the Austrian-Italian border, has served as an important route for north-south transit between Germany and Italy.
The Czech Republic borders Austria to the north, with the Bohemian Massif extending across the border into Lower Austria. The Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range with a harsh climate, covers part of the Czech Republic's border with Austria.
Slovakia borders Austria to the northeast. Hungary, to the east of Austria, has a history of conflict with Austria during the Ottoman Empire's expansion into its territory. The arrival of the Holy Roman Empire in 1683 marked the end of the Second Siege of Vienna by the Turks.
Slovenia borders Austria to the south, and Italy to the southwest. The Italian border with Austria is known for the Brenner Pass, which provides a convenient route for travel between northern Italy and Germany.
Switzerland and Liechtenstein border Austria to the west. Switzerland, along with Austria, forms the neutral core of Europe. Liechtensteiners are considered a neighbouring Germanic ethnic group to Austrians.
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The country is part of the European Union
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, with a largely mountainous landscape. It is bordered by eight countries: Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north and northwest, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia to the south, Italy to the south and southwest, Switzerland to the west, and Liechtenstein to the west and northwest. The country is part of the European Union.
Austria has been a member state of the European Union since 1995, and its membership has brought about several benefits. Austria has gained closer ties to other EU economies, and its access to the single European market has attracted foreign investors. The country has 20 representatives in the European Parliament, and 12 representatives on the European Committee of the Regions, the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives.
Austria's permanent representation in Brussels acts as its "embassy to the EU", ensuring the country's interests and policies are pursued within the EU. As a member state, Austria benefits from the EU budget, which is used to finance big projects that individual countries could not finance alone. Austria also benefits from being part of the Single Market, and a shared approach to challenges such as migration.
Austria's geographic position at the centre of Europe has contributed to its prominence. It lies on the great Danubian trade route between east and west, and the Alpine passes between north and south, embedding the country within diverse political and economic systems. The Brenner Pass in the Alps, for instance, provides a direct route between two highly industrialised regions: Germany and northern Italy.
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Austria is in the cool/temperate climate zone
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. The Alps dominate the Austrian landscape, with nearly three-quarters of the country being mountainous. The country is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north and northeast, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.
Austria's location in the Eastern Alps places it in the cool/temperate climate zone, where humid westerly winds are common. The Alps give way to the Pannonian Plain in the east of the country, and north of the Danube lies the Bohemian Forest, an older, lower mountain range. The prevailing wind in Austria is from the west, so humidity is highest in the west and decreases towards the east. The western regions of Austria have an Atlantic climate with high rainfall, while the eastern regions have a more continental climate with less precipitation.
The climate in Austria varies with the altitude, with average temperatures decreasing by 5°C for each additional 300m of elevation. The country's highest mountain is the Grossglockner, at 3,797m or 3,798m. The weather in the mountains can change quickly and dramatically, and winter snow cover can last from November to May at higher altitudes.
The Austrian landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with forest cover accounting for around 47% of the total land area. The majority of the forests are in the Alpine regions, with coniferous trees predominating in the Alpine and foothill regions, while broad-leaved deciduous trees are more common in the warmer zones. The country is also home to many lakes, particularly in the central Alpine district, which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch by glacial erosion.
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It has a highly industrialised economy
Austria is a highly industrialised country with a strong social focus and a highly developed social market economy. It is one of the fourteen richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita. The country has a very high standard of living, a highly efficient social security system, and a skilled labour force.
Austria's economy is dominated by the service or tertiary sector, which constitutes approximately 70% of the gross value added (GVA). This includes service jobs in the trade sector and the growing tourism industry, which accounts for around 10% of Austria's GDP. Vienna has become a finance and consulting hub, establishing itself as the gateway to the East. Viennese law firms and banks are among the leading corporations in business with the new EU member states. International tourism is the most important part of the national economy, with Austria being the tenth most visited country in the world in 2001, with over 18.2 million tourists.
The shift from the primary and secondary sectors to the tertiary sector, i.e. from agriculture and production to services, has been significant in recent decades. In the 1960s, agriculture and forestry represented 11% of Austrian GVA, while the production sector was larger than the service sector. However, in recent years, the tertiary sector has grown by an annual average of 3.2%, and now accounts for about 73% of GVA. Agriculture jobs now employ only about 0.7% of the labour force, with most workers in this sector involved in cattle farming, organic farming, or the small but thriving wine business.
Austria has several industries that are global competitors, such as iron and steel works, chemical plants, and oil corporations, which are large industrial enterprises employing thousands of people. The country also has a very high level of specialisation in certain fields, such as handguns, railway maintenance vehicles, and unprocessed artificial staple fibres. In 2020, Austria was the world's largest exporter of handguns, exporting $354 million worth of goods, with $304 million going to the USA alone. The major exports of Austria include packaged medicaments, vehicle parts, cars, human or animal blood, and combustion engines. The top export partners are Germany, Italy, the USA, Switzerland, and Hungary.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe.
Austria is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.
Austria is largely mountainous, with nearly three-quarters of the country dominated by the Alps. The country is divided into three unequal geographical areas. The largest part of Austria (62%) is occupied by the Alps, the eastern part of the country is occupied by the Pannonian plain, and north of the river Danube lies the Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range.
The greater part of Austria lies in the cool/temperate climate zone, where humid westerly winds predominate. The alpine climate is predominant, with the exception of the east, which shows continental features with less rain. Winters in Austria are cold, and summers can be relatively hot.
Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries, until the fall of its Habsburg dynasty after World War One. Its location at the geographical heart of Europe, and its neutral status during the Cold War between NATO and the Soviet bloc, maintained its strategic significance.
