Lexi Webster
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north and northeast, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. The country is characterised by its mountainous landscape, with nearly three-quarters of the country dominated by the Alps. Austria has a population of around 9 million, and its capital, Vienna, is its most populous city. The country has a semi-presidential representative democracy with a popularly elected president and a chancellor as head of government. Austria and Germany have a close relationship due to their shared history, language, and culture. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the European Union, and Germany is Austria's most important economic partner.
Where is Austria and what is its relation with Germany?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Central Europe |
| Geography | Landlocked, lying in the Eastern Alps |
| Climate | Cool/temperate, alpine, continental |
| Area | 83,879 km2 (32,386 sq mi) |
| Population | 9 million |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Language | German |
| Relationship with Germany | Close, complicated, and "best frenemies"; share history, language, and culture; fought two world wars together; Austria was annexed into Germany in 1938, and claimed independence in 1945; both are members of the Council of Europe and the European Union |
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What You'll Learn
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe
Austria has a rich history, with the area being inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period. Around 400 BC, it was home to the Celts, and then it was annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. During the Migration Period, numerous Germanic tribes arrived in the region. From the late 13th century until the end of the first millennium, Austria was the heartland of the Habsburg monarchy and a major imperial power in Central Europe. It became a unified state and was made an Archduchy in 1453. In the 16th century, Vienna served as the administrative capital of the Holy Roman Empire.
Austria has historically had close relations with Germany due to their shared history, language, and ethnic majority. German publishing houses hold shares in Austrian media companies, and there is extensive coverage of each country in the other's media. German companies have branch offices and production facilities in Austria, and Germany is Austria's most important economic partner. Austria has a highly industrialised and well-developed social market economy, ranking fifth in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita.
In the 20th century, Austria underwent several significant changes. After World War I, politicians declared Austria to be part of the German Republic, and it renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria. However, unification was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1919. In the lead-up to World War II, Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany by Adolf Hitler, becoming a sub-national division. Following the war, Austria declared independence from Germany in 1945 and established its neutrality in 1955. It joined the European Union in 1995 and has since gained closer ties to other EU economies.
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Germany borders Austria to the northwest
Austria and Germany have a close relationship due to their shared history. German is the official language of both countries, and Germans are the majority ethnic group in both. 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 country is landlocked and located in Central Europe, occupying an area of 83,879 square kilometres (32,386 square miles) with a population of around 9 million.
Austria has a highly industrialised and well-developed social market economy, ranking fifth in the European Union in terms of GDP per capita. Germany has historically been Austria's main trading partner, and numerous German companies have offices and production facilities in the country. Austria is also a popular tourist destination for Germans, who make up around 60% of its foreign visitors. The two countries also have close cultural and academic ties, with many German conductors, orchestras, musicians, and other performers working in Austria, and vice versa.
The history of the two countries has been intertwined for centuries. In early history, the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians) established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included what would become Austria in c. 970. Later, Bavarian Austria came under East Francia (the Kingdom of Germany) from 843 to 962. From 1156 to 1806, Austria (excluding its non-German lands) and other German states under the Kingdom of Germany were parts of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria itself.
After World War I and the breakup of the Austrian monarchy, politicians of the new republic declared Austria to be part of the German Republic and renamed it the "Republic of German-Austria". However, a unification of the two countries was forbidden by the 1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, created by the victorious Allies of World War I to prevent the creation of a territorially extensive German state. In the interwar period, Austria and Germany remained separate and distinct entities.
In 1938, Austria became part of Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, who was born in Austria. After World War II, Austria declared independence from Germany on April 27, 1945, and Austrian national identity has been strong since then. Austrians today do not consider themselves Germans but as ethnic Austrians, although they may be described as a homogeneous Germanic ethnic group closely related to neighbouring Germans.
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Austrians and Germans have a shared history and language
Austrians and Germans have a shared history that dates back to ancient times. The Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians) are among the ancestors of Austrians. In early history, the Baiuvarii established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included the March of Pannonia that later became Austria around 970. From 555 to 843, the Duchy of Bavaria was ruled by Francia of West Germanic Franks. Bavarian Austria then came under East Francia (Kingdom of Germany) from 843 to 962.
In 1156, Austria separated from the Duchy of Bavaria to become a sovereign state. From 1156 to 1806, Austria and other German states under the Kingdom of Germany were parts of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria itself. During the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Holy Roman Empire came to an end, and Austria and Prussia, another influential power within the empire, allied against the French Empire but were ultimately defeated.
After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation as a new organisation among the German states, and Prussia and Austria were reunited. However, this led to diplomatic tension between the two powers, as they had differing ambitions for unifying Germany. Austria proposed a union centred on the Habsburgs, while Prussia sought to exclude Austria and become the central force.
In the 20th century, Austria and Germany continued to have a complex relationship. In 1918, after World War I and the fall of their respective empires, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria, seeking union with Germany, but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919). In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what became known as the Anschluss. However, after World War II, Austria claimed independence and has maintained a separate identity from Germany, despite sharing close cultural and economic ties.
In addition to their shared history, Austrians and Germans also have a linguistic connection. German is the official language in both countries, and Austrian German has been recognised as a standardised form of German since 1951. The Austrian Dictionary, published by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, defines the standardised form of Austrian German used in official governmental contexts and schools. While distinctions in vocabulary exist, particularly in culinary, administrative, and legal terms, Austrian German is widely spoken in Austria and recognised internationally.
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Austria and Germany are both members of the European Union
Austria and Germany share a border and have a close historical relationship. Both countries are members of the European Union, with Austria gaining membership in 1995. As members of the EU, both countries have representation in the institutions of the European Union and contribute to the EU budget.
Austria and Germany have a shared history that dates back to the early days of their respective nations. In the first millennium, the area that is now Austria was inhabited by the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians), who established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included what would become Austria. Over the centuries, Austria and Germany's relationship evolved, with Austria becoming a sovereign state in 1156 and then a powerful empire in the 16th century.
In the 20th century, the two countries experienced a tumultuous period, with the rise of Nazi Germany and the annexation of Austria in 1938. After World War II, Austria declared its independence from Germany in 1945 and established itself as a neutral country, a stance that was formalised in 1955.
Despite their shared history, Austria and Germany have distinct identities and systems of government. Austria, officially known as the Republic of Austria, is a federal parliamentary republic with a popularly elected president and a chancellor who serves as the head of government. Germany, on the other hand, is a federal parliamentary republic with a federal president as its head of state and a chancellor as the head of government.
Austria and Germany's membership in the European Union has had economic benefits for both countries. Austria, in particular, has gained closer ties to other EU economies and has seen an influx of foreign investors attracted by its access to the single European market. Austria's GDP per capita is well above the EU average, ranking fifth in the EU. Germany, as one of the founding members of the EU's predecessor, has also benefited economically and politically from its membership.
As members of the EU, Austria and Germany have representation in the European Parliament, with 20 representatives each. They also participate in the Council of the EU, where national ministers meet to adopt EU laws and coordinate policies. The work of the Council is led by the country holding the presidency, which rotates every six months, allowing each country a turn to help direct the agenda.
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Austria and Germany have a complicated relationship
Historically, the area that is now Austria was once part of the Duchy of Bavaria, which was ruled by the West Germanic Franks from 555 to 843. In 970, the March of Pannonia, which was part of the Duchy of Bavaria, became Austria. From 843 to 962, Bavarian Austria was under the rule of East Francia (the Kingdom of Germany). In 1156, Austria separated from Bavaria and became a sovereign state. Despite this separation, from 1156 to 1806, Austria and other German states were parts of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria.
The relationship between Austria and Germany took a significant turn in the 20th century. After World War I and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany. However, this union was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919), which was created by the victorious powers of World War I. Despite this, in 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what became known as the Anschluss. It was only after World War II, on April 27, 1945, that Austria claimed independence and separated from Germany for the second time.
In more recent times, Austria and Germany have maintained close ties. Both countries are members of the European Union and have a strong economic relationship, with Germany being Austria's most important economic partner and Austria being one of Germany's top trading partners. Additionally, there is significant cultural and academic exchange between the two countries, with many German and Austrian conductors, musicians, and actors working in each other's countries. Both countries also participate in annual meetings of German-speaking nations and collaborate closely in the media sector. However, one notable difference between the two countries is their approach to military alliances: while Germany is a member of NATO, Austria maintains a strict constitutional requirement of neutrality and is not a NATO member.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, and Switzerland.
The capital of Austria is Vienna (Wien).
Austria and Germany have a close relationship due to their shared history, language, and culture. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the European Union. Germany is Austria's most important economic partner, and Austria is one of Germany's most important trading partners.
Austria is a largely mountainous country due to its location in the Alps. The Austrian Alps form the physical backbone of the country and can be subdivided into a northern and southern limestone range. The highest elevation in Austria is the Grossglockner, at 12,460 feet (3,798 meters). Approximately 40% of Austria is covered by forests, and about 28% is moderately hilly or flat.
Austria is a federal, representative democratic republic. The president of Austria is the head of state and is directly elected by popular vote. The chancellor of Austria is the head of the government and is selected by the president.
