Leslie Massey
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a predominantly mountainous country, with the Alps covering the entire western portion of the country and stretching deep into central Austria. The country is approximately 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi) in area and is often described as being somewhat pear-shaped.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Pear-shaped |
| Total Area | 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi) or 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi) |
| Landlocked | Yes |
| Mountainous | Yes |
| Population | 8.534 million (2014) or around 9 million |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Highest Point | 12,457 ft (3,797 m) |
| Lowest Point | 377 ft (115 m) |
| Primary Natural Resources | Natural gas, iron, timber |
| GDP (2014) | $436.3 billion |
| Forest Cover | 47% of the total land area or 3,899,150 hectares (2020) |
| Arable Land | Less than one-fifth of Austria |
| Pasture and Meadow | More than one-fifth of Austria |
| Lakes | Many, a legacy of the Pleistocene Epoch |
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What You'll Learn
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe
The westernmost third of Austria has a somewhat pear-shaped border, with a narrow corridor between Germany and Italy that is between 32 and 60 kilometres wide. The rest of the country lies to the east and has a maximum north-south width of 280 kilometres. North of the Alpine spur lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the northern Alps and the Danube River, which includes the northern portion of Upper Austria. The lowland area east of Vienna and the northern part of Burgenland may be considered a western extension of the Little Alföld (Little Hungarian Plain).
Austria has a significant amount of forest cover, with around 47% of its total land area, or 3,899,150 hectares, covered by forests in 2020. Of this, 2% was primary forest, and around 23% was within protected areas. In addition to its forests, Austria also has a notable number of lakes, many of which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch. The largest lakes are Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west and the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) in the east.
The country is divided into nine states, with Vienna, located where the Danube emerges from the mountains into the drier plains, serving as both the capital and the most populous city and state. The history of Austria is closely tied to its geography, with its location at the centre of European trade routes contributing to its prominence. Additionally, its position as a landlocked country has influenced its foreign policy of neutrality, which has been a defining characteristic of the nation since 1955.
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The Alps are the most dominant landform in Austria
Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe, with the Alps being the most dominant landform. Covering 62% of the country, the Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country. The Alps themselves and their wider extensions into the north, east, and south, cover a significant portion of Austria. The highest mountain in Austria, Großglockner, rises to 3,797 meters in the Central Alps.
The Austrian Alps can be divided into three major ranges: the Northern Calcareous Alps, the Central Alps, and the Southern Calcareous Alps. These ranges run west to east through the country. The Central Alps, with their granite base, stand as the largest and highest ranges in Austria. They include permanently glaciated areas in the Ötztal Alps on the Tyrolean-Italian border and the High Tauern in East Tyrol and Carinthia. The Northern Calcareous Alps extend from Vorarlberg through Tyrol into Salzburg and further into Upper Austria and Lower Austria toward Vienna. The Southern Calcareous Alps, on the other hand, lie on the Carinthia-Slovenia border and are composed primarily of limestone and dolomite.
The Alps play a crucial role in shaping Austria's physical geography and human settlement patterns. They act as a watershed, with major rivers north of the watershed flowing into the Danube, the largest river in Austria, and those to the south contributing to the River Drau, which eventually meets the Danube in Serbia. The Alps also influence population distribution, resulting in lower population densities and settlements concentrated in the valleys or northeast of the mountains.
The non-alpine regions of Austria exhibit diverse landscapes. The Northern Alpine Foreland, characterized by the Danube Valley, and the Southeastern Alpine Foreland, with its hilly terrain, are distinct from the alpine regions. Additionally, the lowland area east of Vienna and the northern part of Burgenland can be considered an extension of the Little Hungarian Plain. Austria also boasts numerous lakes, including the largest in Europe, Lake Constance, and the steppe lake of Lake Neusiedler See.
In summary, the Alps are the most dominant landform in Austria, shaping the country's geography, rivers, and settlement patterns. The Austrian Alps, with their three major ranges, cover a significant portion of the country and contribute to the diverse and rugged landscape for which Austria is known.
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The country is approximately 83,879 km squared
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, occupying an area of approximately 83,879 km squared (32,386 sq mi). The country 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 a predominantly mountainous country, with the Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Central Alps, which consist largely of a granite base, are the largest and highest ranges in Austria. The Eastern Alps constitute 62% of the nation's total area. The Austrian foothills at the base of the Alps and the Carpathians account for around 12% of the country's landmass. The granite massif of the Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range with bare and windswept plateaus and a harsh climate, covers the remaining 10% of Austria's area.
Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, although in the northeastern part of the country, the Danube River winds between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia. The Danube basin, which includes Upper and Lower Austria, was the easternmost extent of Bavaria in pre-Roman times. Nearly all Austrian territory drains into the Danube River system. The river emerges from between the mountains into drier plains in Vienna, the country's capital and most populous city.
Austria's so-called areas of permanent settlement cover only 40% or 35,000 km2 of the country. The majority of the area of permanent settlement is in the Danube valley and the lowlands or hilly regions north, east, and south of the Alps, where approximately two-thirds of the population lives. Less than one-fifth of Austria is arable and suitable for conventional agriculture, and the percentage of arable land increases in the east as the country becomes less alpine.
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$8.82
Austria has a population of around 9 million
Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, occupying an area of 83,879 square kilometres (32,386 sq mi) and hosting a population of around 9 million. The country is predominantly mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. Three major ranges of the Alps – the Northern Calcareous Alps, Central Alps, and Southern Calcareous Alps – run west to east through Austria, with the Central Alps being the largest and highest range in the country. The granite massif of the Bohemian Forest, a low mountain range with bare and windswept plateaus and a harsh climate, covers the remaining 10% of Austria's area.
Austria is divided into nine states, with Vienna, the country's capital and most populous city, being one of them. The population of Vienna exceeds 2 million, representing about a quarter of the country's population. Graz is the second-largest city, with 291,007 inhabitants, followed by Linz (206,604), Salzburg (155,031), Innsbruck (131,989), and Klagenfurt (101,303). All other cities in Austria have fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. The Austrian population lives in 3.99 million private households, with around two in five households being single-person households, representing 17% of the population.
Austria's total fertility rate (TFR) in 2017 was estimated at 1.52 children per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1. In 2015, 42.1% of births were to unmarried women. The country had the 14th oldest population globally in 2020, with an average age of 44.5 years and a life expectancy of 81.5 years. Statistics Austria estimates that the population will grow to 10.55 million by 2080 due to immigration.
The area of modern-day Austria has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period, with evidence of Celtic settlement around 400 BC. The region was later annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC, and Christianization began in the 4th and 5th centuries during the late Roman period. In 976, the area became a prefecture of Bavaria, and the first record of the name "Austria" dates to this period. The territory was settled by various Germanic tribes during the Migration Period, and its history was largely defined by the Habsburg dynasty until World War I.
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The landscape is characterised by mountains and forests
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, with a landscape characterised by mountains and forests. Covering an area of 83,879 square kilometres, it is a predominantly mountainous country, with the Alps running west to east through the country. The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with towering mountain ranges, valleys, forests, meadows, Alpine pastures, and crystal-clear lakes.
The Alps can be subdivided into a northern and southern limestone range, composed of rugged mountains. These two ranges are separated by a central range with a softer form, composed of crystalline rocks. The Central Alps, which include the Ötztal Alps and the High Tauern, are the largest and highest in the country, with the highest mountain being the Großglockner at 3,797 meters. The Northern Calcareous Alps run from Vorarlberg through Tyrol into Salzburg, and the Southern Calcareous Alps are on the Carinthia-Slovenia border. The Eastern Alps are particularly well-known for their limestone formations, which have created stunning natural features such as caves, gorges, and karst landscapes.
Austria's landscape is diverse, with rolling hills, plateaus, and vast terrains. The country is also home to many lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, which are known for their beauty and excellent water quality. The lakes, nestled deep within the mountainous landscapes, provide a perfect setting for relaxation and adventure, especially for water sports enthusiasts. The country's hiking trails are diverse, with routes suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers.
Forests cover about 40% of Austria, with 18% under public ownership and 82% under private ownership as of 2015. The majority of the forest cover is in the Alpine regions, with naturally regenerating forest accounting for 2% of the total forest area in 2020. The Central Uplands, an important agricultural and forestry region, is covered with forests that provide timber for construction, furniture, and paper production.
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Frequently asked questions
The shape of Austria has been described as a "somewhat pear-shaped country".
The Alps are the most dominant landform in Austria, covering the entire western portion of the country and stretching into central Austria. The remaining parts of Austria are lowland and river valleys, with the Danube River flowing from Central Europe eastward to the Black Sea.
The Alpine landscape in Austria has made the country a popular destination for skiing and tourism, contributing to a long-standing trend of population growth in western Austria. The mountains have also historically isolated communities, with Alpine dwellers identifying more with their local areas than with a larger nation.
