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Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, covering an area of 83,879 square kilometres (32,386 square miles). The landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the backbone of the country. The country is divided into three main geographical areas: the Alpine Region, the Hill Country, and the Lowlands. The Alpine Region covers around 70% of the country, with the Northern, Central, and Southern Alps running west to east. The Hill Country, north of the Danube River, is made up of forested hills and lower mountains. The Lowlands of the east and southeast are the agricultural centre of the country, with the largest lake in the country, Lake Neusiedler, located in this region.
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What You'll Learn
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. The westernmost third of the country is a narrow corridor between Germany and Italy, while the rest of Austria lies to the east, with a maximum north-south width of 280 kilometres (170 mi). The country extends roughly 600 kilometres (370 mi) from east to west, from Lake Constance on the Austrian-Swiss-German border in the west to the Neusiedler See on the Austrian-Hungarian border in the east.
Austria is a largely mountainous country, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps may be subdivided into a northern and a southern limestone range, each composed of rugged mountains. These two ranges are separated by a softer central range composed of crystalline rocks. The highest elevation in the country is the Grossglockner, at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters). The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are characterised by the majestic 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 and encompassing the northern portion of Upper Austria. To the north of the river is a richly wooded foothill area that includes a portion of the Bohemian Massif, which extends across the Czech border into Lower Austria. 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).
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 in its journey toward the Alföld, or Hungarian Plain. Vienna lies in the area where the Danube emerges from between the mountains into the drier plains.
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The landscape is predominantly mountainous
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, occupying an area of 83,879 square kilometres (32,386 square miles). It is predominantly mountainous, with the Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The country is divided into nine federated states (Bundeslander), with around 47% of the total land area covered in forest.
The Austrian Alps can be subdivided into a northern and a southern limestone range, composed of rugged mountains. Separating these two ranges is a central range with a softer outline, composed of crystalline rocks. The highest elevation in the Austrian Alps is Grossglockner, which rises to a height of 3,797 or 3,798 metres. The western Austrian states of Vorarlberg, Tirol, and Salzburg are particularly characterised by the high Alps, with their majestic mountains and magnificent scenery.
North of the Alpine region lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the northern Alps and the Danube River. The Bohemian Forest, an older, lower mountain range, is located north of the Danube Valley and covers around 10% of Austria's area. The Bohemian Massif extends across the Czech border into Lower Austria, and this part of the country is marked by many valleys that have served as passageways to the east and southeast of Europe.
Austria is a land of lakes, with around 20% of the country consisting of pasture and meadow located at varying altitudes. Almost half of this grassland is made up of high Alpine pastures, which have traditionally been used for grazing dairy cattle during the summer.
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The country is divided into nine federated states
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, each with its own elected legislature and state government, distinct from the federal government. These states are further subdivided into districts known as "Bezirke" and statutory cities. The nine federal states, officially called "Bundeslander", are as follows:
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria and doubles as a city and a federal state. It is the country's largest city and state, with a population of approximately 1.9 million people. The metropolitan area of Vienna is home to about 2.6 million people, or one-third of the country's population. Vienna became a federal state in 1920 and was a part of Lower Austria until 1921. It is one of the richest regions in the EU, with a high GDP per capita.
Lower Austria
Lower Austria is the country's largest state by area, covering 7,408 square miles. It is the second-largest state in terms of population, with approximately 1.6 million people. Lower Austria is predominantly agricultural, with large areas of arable land in the Danube Valley. St Polten has been the capital of Lower Austria since 1986, taking over from Vienna.
Upper Austria
Upper Austria is the third most populous state in Austria, with approximately 1.4 million people. It is the fourth-largest state by area, covering about 4,626 square miles. Upper Austria shares international borders with Germany and the Czech Republic. Linz is its capital, and it is the leading industrial region in Austria, accounting for around 25% of the country's exports.
Burgenland
Burgenland is a predominantly German-speaking area that was ceded to Austria by the Kingdom of Hungary after World War I. It is one of the least densely populated states, with significant agricultural land in the Danube Valley.
Styria
Styria is situated in Southeast Austria and shares an international border with Slovenia. It is the second-largest state by area, covering about 6,332 square miles, and has a population of approximately 1.2 million people, with 275,000 people living in its capital, Graz.
Tyrol
Tyrol is located in Western Austria and is the third-largest state by land area, covering approximately 4,897 square miles. It is divided into two sections, with North Tyrol being the larger territory. Tyrol has a population of about 750,000 people, making it the fifth-largest state in Austria. Its capital is Innsbruck.
Vorarlberg
Vorarlberg is a small, wealthy alpine state with a distinct Alemannic culture. It is somewhat isolated due to its location in the Alps.
Carinthia
Carinthia is a geographically remote federal state that is less alpine than other regions. It has significant agricultural areas.
Salzburg
Salzburg is another state in Austria, although there is limited information available about it.
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The capital, Vienna, is the largest and most populous city
Vienna has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to at least the Paleolithic period. The area was once inhabited by various Celtic tribes and was later annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. The Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, which encompassed most of modern Austria, was conquered by the Romans in 16 BC and made into a province called Noricum.
Vienna is characterised by its location on the Danube River, which flows through the city and separates the northern Alps from the Bohemian Massif. The landscape of Austria is largely defined by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the country's physical backbone. The Alps can be subdivided into northern and southern limestone ranges, composed of rugged mountains, with a softer central range composed of crystalline rocks.
The city of Vienna is a cultural hub, with a mix of historic and modern architecture. It is known for its contributions to music, art, and philosophy, having been home to many renowned composers, artists, and thinkers. The city also boasts a thriving cafe culture and is known for its culinary delights, including its famous Wiener Schnitzel and Apfelstrudel.
As the most populous city in Austria, Vienna plays a significant role in the country's economic, political, and cultural life. It serves as the seat of the federal government and is a centre for banking, commerce, and industry. The city is well-connected to the rest of the country and Europe through its extensive transportation network, including its integrated public transport system and international airport.
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The country is bordered by eight countries
Austria is bordered by eight countries. To the northwest lies Germany, which shares a 497-mile-long border with Austria, the longest for both countries. The boundary runs from east to west, with the western point at the border tripoint of Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and the eastern end near Schwarzenberg-am-Bohmerwald, where the two countries meet with the Czech Republic.
Austria's border with the Czech Republic is 249 miles long. The Bohemian Massif, which extends across the Czech border into Lower Austria, is a richly wooded foothill area with many valleys that have served as passageways to the east and southeast of Europe.
To the northeast of Austria is Slovakia, with a border of 65 miles. The lower course of the River Morava forms a large part of the border, with a crossing point connecting Berg in Austria and Bratislava in Slovakia.
Hungary is to the east of Austria, with a 205-mile-long border. The two countries share the Neusiedler See, a typical steppe lake on the westernmost fringe of the Hungarian Plain. The Austria-Hungary border featured an electric border fence from the end of World War II until 1989 when communism collapsed in Hungary.
To the south of Austria is Slovenia, with a 185-mile-long border. The Semmering Pass on the provincial border of Lower Austria and Styria provides northeast-southwest access to Styria and Slovenia and, via Carinthia, to Italy.
To the southwest of Austria is Italy, with a 251-mile-long border. The most important pass in the Austrian Alps, the Brenner Pass, is located on the Austrian-Italian border in Tyrol. It provides a convenient route of north-south transit between Germany and Italy and is one of the lowest Alpine passes at 1,370 meters.
Austria also shares borders with two non-European Union member states, Switzerland and Liechtenstein, to its west. The Austria-Switzerland border is 98 miles long, while the Austria-Liechtenstein border is 21 miles long. The current Austria-Switzerland boundary is the result of the establishment of the Helvetic Republic around 1798.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The country is also home to Europe's tallest waterfall, the Krimml Waterfalls, which reach a height of 380 meters.
The longest river in Austria is the Danube, which is Europe's second-longest river. The highest mountain in Austria is the Grossglockner, which stands at 3,798 meters. The country also has many lakes, including Lake Neusiedl, which is shared with Hungary and is Europe's largest lake with a limited drainage basin.
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a total area of 83,879 square kilometers and a population of around 9 million people. It shares borders with eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
