Lexi Webster
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a total area of 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi). It is predominantly mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The country is bordered by eight nations: Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. The landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with the Danube River flowing between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in the northeastern part of the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country Name | Austria |
| Native Name | Österreich |
| Area | 83,879 km² |
| Population | 8,955,102 |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Federal States | 9 |
| Federal States/Provinces | Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg |
| Federal State Capitals | Linz, St. Pölten, Vienna, Eisenstadt, Graz, Klagenfurt, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Bregenz |
| Federal State Populations | 200,841, 53,445, 1,840,573, 14,241, 280,200, 99,110, 130,894, 150,887, 29,139 |
| Currency | Euro |
| Legislature | Federal State Parliament |
| Governor | Landeshauptmann or Landeshauptfrau |
| Government | Federal State Government (Landesregierung) |
| Legislature | Elected every five years (six years in Upper Austria) |
| Constitution | Federal State Constitution |
| Legislative Powers | Planning and zoning codes, nature protection, hunting, fishing, farming, youth protection, certain issues of public health and welfare, the right to levy certain taxes |
| International Organisations | OSCE, OPEC, OECD, Interpol, NATO's "Partnership for Peace", Schengen Area |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's land borders
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The country is characterised by its mountainous landscape, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country.
The north of Austria shares a border with the Czech Republic and Germany. The Bohemian Massif, which extends into the Czech Republic, includes a portion of the Bohemian foothills in Lower Austria, north of the Danube River. The Danube basin, which includes Upper and Lower Austria, was the easternmost extent of Bavaria at the time the area was given its name.
To the northeast of Austria lies Slovakia, and to its east is Hungary. The Danube River winds between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia in its journey towards the Hungarian Plain. Vienna lies in the area where the Danube emerges from the mountains into the drier plains.
To the south of Austria is Slovenia, and to the southwest is Italy. The present-day region of Austria was invaded by the Germanic Ostrogoths in 493, who created the Ostrogothic Kingdom. The area was later invaded by the Alemanni, Baiuvarii, Slavs, and Avars.
To the west of Austria is Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Switzerland is home to the village of Campione d'Italia, which is enclaved in the canton of Ticino but administered as part of Switzerland. It is part of Swiss customs and uses the Swiss franc, but its inhabitants pay income tax to Italy.
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The country's topography
Austria is a predominantly mountainous country in Central Europe, with a total area of 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi). The country is bordered by eight other countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
In addition to the Alps, other topographic regions in Austria include the Alpine and Carpathian foothills, the Pannonian lowlands in the east, the granite and gneiss highlands of the Bohemian Massif, and the Vienna Basin. The Danube River, which flows through northeastern Austria, is the country's major waterway, with several important streams, including the Inn, Enns, Drava, and Mur, serving as its tributaries. Dozens of lakes can also be found amidst the mountain ranges, especially in the south and east of Salzburg. The largest lake in the country is Lake Neusiedler, which is also the lowest point in Austria.
While most of western and central Austria is mountainous, the flatter areas to the east are hilly. The population of Austria is concentrated in these eastern lowlands due to steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures in other regions. The landscape in the northeast, where the Danube emerges from the mountains into drier plains, is characterised by the river winding between the eastern edge of the Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia.
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Austria's lakes
Austria is a landlocked country in central Europe, with a landscape characterised by mountains and forests. The Austrian Alps form the backbone of the country, with the Danube River flowing between the eastern edge of the mountains and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia. Austria is known for its picturesque landscapes, and its lakes are a big part of its charm. The lakes are particularly popular during the warm summer months, when they become a hub for swimming, diving, and other water sports. In winter, the lakes freeze over, attracting ice skaters.
Austria has many notable lakes, including Lake Hallstatt, which is one of the country's most visited. The UNESCO World Heritage Site village of Hallstatt, one of Austria's oldest, sits on its shores. The cobblestone streets and 16th-century wooden houses of this village add to the allure of the lake, making it a charming destination all year round.
The second-largest natural lake in Tyrol, near the German border, is Lake Plansee. Covering 2.87 square kilometres and reaching a depth of almost 80 metres, it is often referred to as "the fjord of Austria" due to its majestic blue-green waters. The lake is popular for swimming, diving, sailing, and surfing, and its surrounding trails are ideal for hiking and cycling.
Another famous Austrian lake is Mondsee, or Moon Lake in English. This large lake, with its calm blue waters, is one of the warmest in the region, with summer temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius. The town of Mondsee on its shore is known for its colourful fairy-tale-like architecture and for being the location where the wedding scene in 'The Sound of Music' was filmed.
Achensee, often called "Tyrol's ocean" due to its massive size and "Fjord of the Alps" for its high water quality, is one of the best lakes in Austria for swimming. The water temperature remains low even on hot days, but the excellent visibility, reaching up to 10 metres deep, attracts swimmers and scuba divers alike. The thermal winds over the lake also make it ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing.
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Ownership of forest areas
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe, with mountains and forests giving the landscape its character. The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country, with the Danube River winding 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.
The country's forests are predominantly owned by private individuals, with approximately 85% of the forest area being privately owned. The remaining 15% is owned by the federal government and the state governments. The federal government owns about 4% of the total forest area, while the state governments own the remaining 11%.
The private ownership of forests in Austria is a result of the country's historical context. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Austrian Empire and its successor states encouraged private ownership of forests as a way to promote economic development and reward loyalty. As a result, many aristocratic families and wealthy individuals acquired large forest areas, which have been passed down through generations.
Today, forest ownership in Austria is highly fragmented, with a large number of small-scale private owners. This has led to challenges in forest management and conservation, as many owners may have different priorities and goals for their land. However, the Austrian government has implemented policies and programs to support sustainable forest management and promote the conservation of this important natural resource.
In addition to the federal and state governments, some municipalities and local communities also own small forest areas. These are often used for local community development and conservation initiatives, with the involvement of local residents and stakeholders.
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Arable land and agriculture
Austria has a total area of almost 84,000 square kilometres, of which about 67,000 square kilometres is used for farming and forestry. About half of that area is forest, and the remainder is arable land and pasture.
Agriculture plays a significant role in Austria's economy, contributing to more than just food production. While the share of agricultural production is less than 1.5% of the GDP, Austrian farmers provide services that positively impact other industries. For instance, they contribute to the high share of renewable energy in Austria (over 30%) and provide services to the environment and landscape management in the alpine regions.
Two-thirds of Austria's 165,000 farms are located in the alpine mountains, where dairy farming and rearing cattle or sheep are most popular. The east of the country, however, provides ideal conditions for arable farming. The continental climate and the influence of Pannonia create the perfect environment for growing corn, cereals (wheat, barley, and rye), sugar beets, rapeseed, and sunflowers. In recent years, Austria has become the second-biggest soybean producer in the European Union.
Pig and poultry production are also common in the arable regions of Austria. The country is also a significant wine producer, responsible for one percent of the world's wine production.
Austria is the leading organic country in Europe in terms of the proportion of cultivable land for organic products. More than 25,000 farms operate organically, and every fourth hectare of arable land is cultivated according to organic guidelines. Austrian organic producers are particularly successful with meat and sausage products, juices, bread and baked goods, chocolate, and cereals, among other products.
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Frequently asked questions
The total area of Austria is 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 square miles).
In 2020, forest cover in Austria was around 47% of the total land area, equivalent to 3,899,150 hectares.
Austria shares an 801-kilometre (497-mile) border with Germany to the northwest.
The Alpine region in Austria covers approximately 40% of the country's total area.
Hohe Tauern National Park spans 30 miles, with 36 hairpin bends and a maximum height of 8,215 feet.
