Lexi Webster
Austria is bordered by eight countries: Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. The country's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming its backbone. The country is roughly 360 miles long from east to west and is landlocked.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of nations bordering Austria | 8 |
| Nations bordering Austria | Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany |
| Austria-Switzerland boundary length | 98 miles or 158 km |
| Austria-Liechtenstein boundary length | 21 miles or 34 km |
| Austria-Germany boundary length | 497 miles or 801 km |
| Austria-Czech Republic boundary length | 249 miles or 402 km |
| Austria-Slovakia boundary length | 65 miles or 105 km |
| Austria-Hungary boundary length | 205 miles or 331 km |
| Austria-Slovenia boundary length | 185 miles or 330 km |
| Austria-Italy boundary length | 251 miles or 404 km |
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What You'll Learn
Austria borders Switzerland in two places
Austria shares its borders with eight countries, including Switzerland, a non-European Union member state. The Austria-Switzerland boundary is divided into two parts, separated by the Principality of Liechtenstein, with a total length of 180 km (112 miles) according to some sources, and 164 km according to others. The border's current demarcation dates back to 1919, but it was established in 1648 with the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years' War and affirmed Switzerland's independence from the Holy Roman Empire. The creation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798 also played a role in shaping the modern border.
The longer, southern stretch of the Austria-Switzerland border runs across the Grison or Grisons Alps, while the shorter northern stretch mostly follows the Alpine Rhine, except near Diepoldsau and between Lustenau and Lake Constance, where it follows the Old Rhine bed. The border continues northward to the Austrian-Swiss-German tripoint located within Upper Lake Constance. The course of the border reflects the historical rivalry between the House of Habsburg and other powers, such as the Old Swiss Confederacy and the Three Leagues, in limiting the influence of the Habsburg Archdukes of Austria in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The border region is characterized by its mountainous terrain, with the Alps and the Engadin valley influencing the culture and activities of the area. The Swiss-Austrian border is also an important transportation corridor, with cross-border railway services and road connections facilitating travel between the two countries. The "Alpenrhein – Bodensee – Hochrhein" Interreg programme aims to enhance economic cooperation and sustainable development in this mountainous region, which has a GDP significantly above the EU average.
The border between Austria and Switzerland has a unique history and plays a significant role in the relationship between the two countries. The border's length and location have influenced the cultural, economic, and political interactions between these neighbouring nations.
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Liechtenstein is bordered by Austria to the north and east
Austria is bordered by eight countries: Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. The country is characterized by its mountainous landscape, with the Austrian Alps forming its physical backbone. Three major ranges of the Alps—the Northern Calcareous Alps, Central Alps, and Southern Calcareous Alps—run west to east through Austria.
Liechtenstein, a small country nestled in the Upper Rhine Valley of the European Alps, is bordered by Austria to the north and east. The Austria-Liechtenstein boundary is 34 kilometers or 21 miles long. The principality of Liechtenstein encompasses most of the eastern half of the Rhine Valley, wedged between Austria and Switzerland. The Rhine River forms the entire western border of Liechtenstein, while its eastern border is shared with the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.
Liechtenstein is a doubly landlocked country, one of only two in the world. The country is known for its mountainous terrain, making it a popular destination for winter sports. The single railway line in Liechtenstein, the Feldkirch-Buchs railway, connects the country with Austria and Switzerland.
The history of Liechtenstein is closely tied to that of its neighboring countries. In 1806, the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire by Emperor Francis II marked the end of feudal government in the region. Napoleon reorganized the Empire into the Confederation of the Rhine, which included the Prince of Liechtenstein as a vassal. After the dissolution of the Confederation in 1813, Liechtenstein joined the German Confederation, presided over by the Emperor of Austria.
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Austria-Slovakia boundary is about 185 miles long
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe that shares its borders with eight nations. These are Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. The country is characterised by its mountainous terrain, with 68% of the country being over 1,640 ft above sea level. The highest mountain in Austria is Großglockner, which stands at 3,797 m.
Austria's border with Slovakia is approximately 185 miles long. The border mostly follows the lower course of the River Morava. The only motorway crossing between the two countries is in Jarovce, and there is a border crossing connecting Berg in Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia.
Austria and Slovakia are separated by a border that stretches for about 185 miles. The border mostly follows the lower course of the River Morava, which flows between the two countries. The river is a tributary of the Danube, which flows through both Austria and Slovakia but does not form their border.
The border between Austria and Slovakia is located in the northeastern part of Austria and the northwestern part of Slovakia. This area is characterized by mountainous terrain, with the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains dominating the landscape. The border between the two countries is not a straight line but rather a series of irregular shapes, with several enclaves and exclaves dotting the border region.
The border between Austria and Slovakia has a significant impact on the culture, economy, and politics of both countries. Both countries have a rich history and culture that have been influenced by their proximity to each other. Additionally, the border has also played a role in shaping the trade and transportation networks between the two nations. The crossing point at Berg and Bratislava, in particular, is a crucial link between the two countries, facilitating the movement of people and goods.
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The Austria-Italy border has numerous passes
Austria is bordered by eight countries: Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany. The Austria-Italy border is a 404km (251-mile) land border along the Alps between the Republic of Italy and the Republic of Austria. The border between the two countries has existed since the 1861 Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, but most of the current border was only established in 1920, after the First World War.
Another pass on the Austria-Italy border is Birnlucke, which is situated between the Zillertal Alp and Venediger Group. The Semmering Pass is also on the border between Austria and Italy, connecting the Vienna Basin with the Mürz and Mur valleys, thus providing northeast-southwest access to Styria and Slovenia, and, via Carinthia, to Italy.
The mountainous terrain of the Austria-Italy border has historically made it difficult for people to travel between the two countries. However, the passes mentioned above provide important transportation links between the two countries and the wider region. The Brenner Pass, in particular, has been a key trade route and is now easily accessible via motorway and railway.
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Germany and Austria share an 801km border
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 Alps have historically served as a physical barrier between groups of people, leading to the development of distinct regional subcultures in different valleys.
Germany and Austria share an 801km (497-mile) border, making it the longest border for both countries. The border was established in 1871 and was stabilised by the founding of the Republic of Austria in 1918. The border begins in the northwest at Lake Constance and moves east up to the ATCZDE tripoint, where Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic meet. The border mostly consists of Alpine mountain ranges, with the Northern Calcareous Alps running along the border through the Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg, and Upper Austria. The border follows several rivers, including the Danube, Inn, Salzach, and Leiblach.
The border between Germany and Austria has experienced several changes throughout history. In 1938, Austria was annexed by Germany, causing the border to disappear. However, at the end of World War II, the border was restored, and it has remained unchanged since. Cross-border cooperation between the two countries is facilitated by a shared language and a focus on sustainable development, environmental, and tourism issues.
The Austrian states and Germany's Bavarian state run along the international border. The border does not pass through any significant lakes, except for Lake Constance in the west. The eastern tripoint between Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic is located at 48°46′18″N 13°50′22″E.
The border between Germany and Austria is easily accessible due to its proximity to major cities and transportation routes. The Brenner Pass, located on the Austrian-Italian border, provides a convenient route for transit between Germany and Italy, impacting the flow of people and goods across the Austria-Germany border.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria shares its borders with Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, and Germany.
The Austria-Switzerland boundary is 98 miles long.
To the north of Austria are Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Germany.
The border between Austria and Hungary is 205 miles long.
The Alps, consisting of the Northern, Central, and Southern ranges, run through Austria.
