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Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, strategically located at the crossroads of central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The capital of Austria is Vienna, which is also its largest city. The country is divided into nine federated states and is known for its lakes and mountains.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country Type | Landlocked sovereign country |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | South-Central Europe |
| Hemisphere | Northern and Eastern |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Official Name | Republic of Austria |
| Head of State | President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen |
| Head of Government | Chancellor of Austria, Sebastian Kurz |
| Bordering Countries | 8 countries: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany |
| Geography | Land of lakes and mountains |
| Highest Point | 12,460 ft. (3,798 m) |
| Longest River | Danube River |
| Lake | Lake Neusiedler |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's neighbouring countries
Austria is a landlocked country in South-Central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. Austria's geography is largely defined by the Alps, which run through the country and make many areas uninhabitable. The country's highest point, at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters), is located in the Austrian Alps. The majority of the population lives in the Danube valley and the lowlands or hilly regions north, east, and south of the Alps.
Germany borders Austria to the northwest, with an 801-kilometer (497-mile) border. The two countries have a close relationship, with intense economic interrelations and a common history dating back to the Holy Roman Empire. Germany and Austria were part of the same country, Austria-Hungary, until the collapse of the empire after World War I.
Switzerland borders Austria to the west, with a 158-kilometer (98-mile) border. Together, Switzerland and Austria form the neutral core of Europe. Switzerland's relations with the European Union, of which Austria is a full member, are governed by a comprehensive set of agreements.
Liechtenstein, a small principality and non-EU member state, also borders Austria to the west, with a 34-kilometer (21-mile) border. Liechtenstein is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA).
The Czech Republic borders Austria to the north, with a 402-kilometer (249-mile) border. Slovakia borders Austria to the northeast, with a 105-kilometer (65-mile) border. These two countries, along with Austria, make up the "Central Five," a group formed for regional cooperation.
Hungary borders Austria to the east, with a 331-kilometer (205-mile) border. The Neusiedler See lake lies on the Austrian-Hungarian border.
Slovenia borders Austria to the south, with a 330-kilometer (185-mile) border. The Semmering Pass in the Austrian Alps provides northeast-southwest access to Slovenia, and the two countries have close economic ties, with trade between them accounting for a significant portion of Austria's trade flows.
Finally, Italy borders Austria to the southwest, with a 404-kilometer (251-mile) border. South Tyrol, an area that had belonged to Austria for centuries, was ceded to Italy after World War I. However, Austria still plays a protective role for the Austrian and Ladin minorities in South Tyrol, as mandated by the Paris Agreement of 1946.
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Austria's capital city
Austria is a landlocked country in South-Central Europe, bordered by eight countries: the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany. The country's capital, Vienna, is completely surrounded by Lower Austria and lies around 50 km west of Slovakia, 60 km northwest of Hungary, and 60 km south of Moravia (Czech Republic). Vienna is Austria's most populous city, with over 2 million inhabitants, and it is known for its cultural offerings, high standard of living, and breathtaking architecture.
Vienna has a rich history, dating back to its time as a Celtic settlement called Vedunia. The Romans converted it into the castrum Vindobona in the 1st century, and it was granted city rights in 1221. In 1155, Henry II, Duke of Austria, moved the Babenberg family residence to Vienna, making it the centre of the Babenberg dynasty. The city was occupied by Hungary between 1485 and 1490. Vienna became the seat of the Aulic Council in the 15th century and later the centre of the Habsburg emperors of the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th century. During this time, Christian forces twice stopped Ottoman armies from taking the city, in the 1529 siege and the 1683 Battle of Vienna.
Vienna played a significant role in the development of classical music, earning it the nickname "City of Music." The city was home to many famous composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Haydn, Mahler, Mozart, Schoenberg, Schubert, and the two Johann Strausses. The Habsburgs' patronage of the arts in the 18th and 19th centuries made Vienna the European capital of classical music.
Vienna boasts impressive landmarks, including the Ring Road, Hofburg Palace, and the Vienna Opera House. The historic city centre, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, is home to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Musikverein. The city also features vestiges of the Habsburg Empire, such as the Belvedere, Hofburg, and Schönbrunn Palaces, as well as artistic treasures. Vienna's cultural contributions extend beyond music to include the Vienna Secession movement in art, the architecture of Adolf Loos, and the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein.
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Austria's lakes
Austria is a landlocked country in central Europe, known for its picturesque landscapes and lakes. There are around 50 lakes in the Salzkammergut lake district alone, and many more across the country. Austrian lakes are famous for their beauty, water quality, and the activities they offer. In summer, they are perfect for swimming, diving, and watersports, and in winter, they freeze over, providing wonderlands for ice skating.
One of the most famous lakes in Austria is Mondsee, or Moon Lake in English. This is one of the largest and warmest lakes in the region, with summer temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius. The lake sits against the Drachenwand (Dragon Wall), an imposing mountain that attracts hikers and climbers. The town of Mondsee on its shore is home to the church where The Sound of Music's Captain Von Trapp and Maria got married.
Another well-known lake is Lake Wolfgang, which has three main towns on its shores, including the popular resort town of St. Wolfgang. The busy little town offers a great variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, and hotels serving traditional Austrian food. It is a hub for outdoor pursuits, with cycling and hiking trails, and in winter, it hosts the Wolfgangsee Advent festival, featuring a 19-metre tall floating lantern.
Lake Plansee, in the Tyrol region, is the second-largest natural lake in the area and is known as "the fjord of Austria" for its majestic blue and greenish beauty. The lake is connected to another body of water, Heiterwang, via a canal, making it a popular spot for boating. The lake is surrounded by mountains and forests, and its clear waters make it ideal for swimming, diving, sailing, and surfing.
Achensee, in Tyrol, is Austria's largest lake and is often referred to as "Tyrol's ocean" or the "Fjord of the Alps". It is one of the best lakes for swimming, with excellent water quality and visibility up to 10 meters deep. The lake is also ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and in winter, it freezes over, becoming a popular ice-skating rink.
Other notable lakes in Austria include Lake Weissensee, known for its serenity and emerald waters, and Faaker See, which is considered to have the cleanest and most drinkable water in the country. Gruner See, or Green Lake, is also notable for its vibrant emerald colour, caused by melted snow from the Karst Mountains.
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Austria's mountains
Austria is a landlocked country in South-Central Europe, strategically located at the crossroads of central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia to the south, Italy to the southwest, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, and Germany to the northwest.
Austria is a highly mountainous country due to its position within the Alps mountain range. The Austrian Alps, also known as the Central Alps or the Eastern Alps, form the country's backbone and constitute 62% of its total area. The Austrian Alps comprise the main chain of the Eastern Alps and extend into adjacent regions of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Italy, and Slovenia.
Austria is home to three major mountain ranges of the Alps: the Southern Limestone Alps, the Central Alps, and the Northern Limestone Alps, which run from east to west across the country. The Central Alps, stretching from Tyrol to the Styria/Lower Austria border, are the highest and largest range in the country. The Central Alps encompass several other minor ranges and chains, including the Ötztal Alps on the Austrian-Italian border and the High Tauern (Hohe Tauern) in Tyrol, which is the largest national park in the Alps.
The Bohemian Forest (Böhmerwald), a low mountain range north of the Danube River, is part of the Bohemian Massif and covers approximately 10% of Austria. The creation of the Alps can be traced back to the Alpine Orogeny, which began around 135 million years ago when a strike-slip fault formed between the Penninic and Tethys Ocean. The Alps and the Bohemian Massif also share a common origin in the Variscan Orogeny, with granite from this period present in all Austrian superunits.
Austria's highest mountain is the Grossglockner, located in Carinthia, which peaks at around 3,800 meters. The Kitzsteinhorn Glacier, located 3,000 meters above sea level, offers year-round snow and ice and is a popular destination for hiking and tobogganing in the summer. The Dachstein mountain, close to 3,000 meters, borders Upper Austria and Styria, and the Ramsau am Dachstein town offers a cable car ride up to the mountain, along with attractions like the Dachstein Sky Walk and the Dachstein Suspension Bridge.
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Austria's rivers
Austria is a small central European state with a mountainous terrain. The two main features of the Austrian landscape are the Danube and the Alps. The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, flowing through ten countries, including Austria. Nearly all of Austria is drained by the Danube into the Black Sea, with the remainder flowing into the North Sea. The Danube is a major economic, geographical, and cultural force in Austria, with over 96% of the country's territory draining into it. The river flows through the Austrian cities of Libz, Krems, Vienna, and Ybbs.
The River Inn is a 322-mile-long river that flows through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The source of the River Inn is in the Swiss Alps, and it passes through Austrian towns such as Landeck, Tyrol, and Innsbruck. The Inn is a major tributary of the Danube, which it joins in Bavaria.
The River Drava is the third-longest river in Austria and one of the longest branches of the Danube. The Drava rises in the Puster Valley in Italy and flows through Austria and Slovenia before joining the Danube. The Drava is one of the world's most exploited rivers in terms of hydropower.
The River Mur flows through Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, and Croatia. The river has a strong current, which has been used to power mills. It is also believed to carry small amounts of gold. The Mur forms part of the Hungary-Croatia boundary.
Other rivers in Austria include the Wien, a tributary of the Danube that flows through Vienna and Wienerwald; the Enns, which flows through the Austrian mountains and is another tributary of the Danube; and the Thaya, which passes by many of Austria's major castles and chateaus.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is a landlocked country in South-Central Europe.
Austria is bordered by the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.
The capital of Austria is Vienna (Wien), which is also its largest city.
Other major cities in Austria include Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Linz, and Salzburg.
Austria is a mountainous country with many lakes and forests. The Danube River, the second-longest river in Europe, is the most significant river in the country. The Tauern Range is the country's highest point at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters).
