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Norway and Austria are two European countries with rich histories and distinct geographical features. Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula, sharing borders with Sweden, Finland, and Russia. In contrast, Austria, formally known as the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps and bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
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What You'll Learn
- Norway's geography: a Nordic country in Northern Europe with a rugged coastline
- Norway's climate: cold winters, warm summers, and severe alpine climate
- Austria's geography: a landlocked country in Central Europe with mountains and forests
- Austria's climate: cool/temperate with high summer temperatures and severe winters
- Austria's history: from the Holy Roman Empire to the Habsburg dynasty
Norway's geography: a Nordic country in Northern Europe with a rugged coastline
Norway is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It occupies the western half of the Scandinavian Peninsula, which it shares with Sweden and Finland. Norway gained its independence from Sweden in 1905. The country has a total area of 324,220 sq km (125,180 sq mi), with 16,360 sq km (6,320 sq mi) of that being water. Norway has a 2,515 km (1,563 mi) land boundary, of which it shares 1,619 km (1,006 mi) with Sweden, 729 km (453 mi) with Finland, and 196 km (122 mi) with Russia. Its continental coastline is 25,148 km (15,626 mi) long, but when including its many islands, it stretches to 83,281 km (51,748 mi).
Norway's geography is varied, with both terrestrial, marine, limnic, and snow and ice ecosystems. The country has a high mineral and bedrock diversity, and its landscapes include inland hills and mountains, inland valleys, inland plains, coastal plains, coastal fjords, and coastal hills and mountains. About two-thirds of Norway is mountainous, and its coastline is famous for its fjords—sea inlets between steep cliffs formed by ancient glaciers. The fjords and glaciers are a major tourist attraction, with Sognefjorden being the world's second-deepest fjord and Hornindalsvatnet the deepest lake in Europe. Norway also has the highest point in Northern Europe, the 2,469-metre-tall (8,100 ft) Galdhøpiggen.
Norway's northern region, particularly the rugged Finnmark Plateau, is home to the Sami people, a Uralic people also known as Lapps or Laplanders. The Sami herd reindeer and are often shorter and have darker complexions than most Norwegians. The northern lights, or aurora borealis, can also be seen in this region. Norway's southern region, particularly the area around the capital, Oslo, is more populated.
Norway has one of the highest standards of living in the world, with abundant waterpower, offshore oil, and peaceful labour relations contributing to its rapid growth as an industrial nation in the 20th century. The country also has a comprehensive social welfare system, with businesses usually open from 8 am to 2 pm and both parents able to share 42 weeks of paid time off after having a baby.
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Norway's climate: cold winters, warm summers, and severe alpine climate
Norway's climate is surprisingly temperate for its high latitude, thanks to the warming influence of the North Atlantic Current and its extension, the Norwegian Current. However, Norway's climate varies significantly across the country, with notable differences between the north and south, inland and coastal areas.
Winters in Norway can be extremely cold, particularly in inland regions, which experience cold winters with plenty of snow. Coastal areas, on the other hand, typically have milder winters, although they still receive snowfall in the mountains. The sun may not rise at all, or only briefly, in most parts of Northern Norway from mid-November to the end of January. During this time, the southern part of the region may experience several hours of daylight and beautiful sunset colours, while the sky to the north remains a deep midnight blue. Despite the cold and darkness, Norwegians embrace the winter, with a focus on cosiness, candlelight, and warm fireplaces.
In contrast to the cold winters, Norway experiences warm summers, with temperatures reaching up to 25-30 degrees Celsius in the south and inland valleys. The midnight sun can be experienced from the middle of May to the end of July, and even longer in the north of the polar circle. The warmer weather brings Norwegians outdoors, with hiking, cycling, camping, and boating being popular activities. The mountains are also a draw, with most of the snow having melted away, and the many lakes offering swimming opportunities.
Norway's alpine regions experience a severe climate, with significant variations in temperature and weather conditions. Fjord Norway, for example, is known for its constantly changing weather, where one might experience rain, sun, wind, and even snow all in the same day. The innermost parts of the long fjords tend to be drier, while the regions east of the mountain chain, including Oslo, have a more continental climate with generally less precipitation.
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Austria's geography: a landlocked country in Central Europe with mountains and forests
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing its borders with eight other countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. It is a predominantly mountainous country, with the Alps forming the physical backbone of the nation. The Austrian Alps can be divided into three major ranges: 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, constitute the highest and largest range in Austria, encompassing other minor ranges such as the Ötztal Alps and the High Tauern.
The Alps play a significant role in shaping Austria's geography and culture. They contribute to Austria's characteristically rugged landscape, with majestic mountains and scenic vistas. However, they also make many areas uninhabitable due to challenging soil conditions, microclimates, and vegetation. As a result, only about 40% of Austria's land area, or 35,000 square kilometres, is considered suitable for permanent settlement, with the majority of these settlements located in the Danube Valley and the lowlands or hilly regions surrounding the Alps.
The Alps also influenced the development of distinct regional subcultures in Austria. In the past, when the Alps were more challenging to traverse, inhabitants of different valleys were isolated from one another, leading to the emergence of unique dialects, traditional dress, architectural styles, and folklore in each valley. Despite the challenges posed by the Alps, Austria has historically served as a crucial land of transit, particularly along the east-west route through the Danubian trade route and the north-south route through the Alpine passes.
In addition to its mountains, Austria is known for its dense forests, which cover just over 40% of the country, mainly in the Alpine regions. The majority of these forests are deciduous, composed of oak and beech trees, or mixed forests of beech and fir. At higher altitudes, pines, firs, and larches become more prevalent. The country is also home to a diverse array of wildlife, including common mammals such as deer, rabbits, foxes, squirrels, wild boars, and martens, as well as a small population of brown bears.
Austria's landscape is further characterised by its numerous lakes, many of which were formed during the Pleistocene Epoch through glacial erosion. The largest of these lakes are Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the west and the marshy Neusiedler Lake (Neusiedlersee) in the east, both of which extend into neighbouring countries. Overall, Austria's geography, encompassing its mountains, forests, and lakes, contributes to its prominence in Central Europe, offering scenic beauty and a diverse natural environment.
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Austria's climate: cool/temperate with high summer temperatures and severe winters
Austria's climate is cool and temperate, with high summer temperatures and severe winters. The country can be divided into three climatic zones: the eastern part, the central Alpine region, and the remaining part of the country, which belongs to the transitional central European climatic zone. The climate in the eastern part of Austria is influenced by the continental Pannonian climate, with a mean temperature for July usually above 19°C and annual rainfall often less than 800 mm. The central Alpine region has an Alpine climate, characterised by high precipitation, short summers, and long winters. The remaining part of the country has a wet and temperate climate.
The geographic features of Austria's mountainous regions have also given rise to another climate zone, the Dfb climate, which is characterised by humid snow and cold winters. The coldest month in Austria is usually January, with temperatures ranging from -3°C to -11°C in the mountainous regions. The winter snow cover lasts from late December through March in the valleys and from November through May at higher altitudes. Temperatures begin to rise in February, and by March, they can reach up to 12°C.
The prevailing wind in Austria is from the west, so humidity is highest in the west and diminishes towards the east. The western regions of the country have an Atlantic climate with a yearly rainfall of about 40 inches (1,000 mm), while the eastern regions have less precipitation. The lowlands and hilly eastern regions have a median temperature ranging from -1°C in January to 20°C in July.
The climate in Austria can also vary depending on the altitude, with temperatures 5°C lower for each additional 300 m of elevation. The country's highest mountain, the Grossglockner, stands at 3,797 m above sea level. At high altitudes, the weather can change quickly and dramatically, with heavy thunderstorms, hail, and snowfall in the mountains, even during the summer months.
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Austria's history: from the Holy Roman Empire to the Habsburg dynasty
The history of Austria is deeply intertwined with the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg dynasty.
The Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in central Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages. The term 'Holy Roman Empire' was not used until the 13th century, and the empire itself evolved into a decentralised, limited elective monarchy composed of hundreds of sub-units, principalities, duchies, counties, and other domains. The power of the emperor was limited, and while various princes, lords, bishops, and cities owed allegiance to the emperor, they possessed significant privileges that granted them de facto independence within their territories.
Bavaria, which would later become a duchy of the Holy Roman Empire, achieved temporary independence from the Carolingian dynasty in 717, only to be subjugated by Charlemagne, who deposed the last Agilolfing duke, Tassilo III, in 788. By 800, Österreich, or the 'Kingdom of the East', had been joined to the Holy Roman Empire, with an eastern march roughly corresponding to present-day Lower Austria.
In 962, Otto became the first Holy Roman Emperor, and he re-established the eastern march. In 976, he established a new Bavarian Eastern March, which became known as Austria, under Leopold, Count of Babenberg. Leopold I, also known as Leopold the Illustrious, ruled Austria from 976 to 994.
In 1186, the Georgenberg Pact bequeathed the Duchy of Styria to Austria upon the death of its childless duke, Ottokar IV, in 1192. The second Duke of Austria, Henry II's son Leopold V, became the Duke of these combined territories in 1194. In 1198, Leopold V moved his official residence to Vienna.
The Habsburg Dynasty
The House of Habsburg, also known as the House of Austria, was one of the most powerful dynasties in European history. The family name originated with Habsburg Castle, built in present-day Switzerland in the 1020s. The first reliably traced Habsburg was Radbot of Klettgau, born in the late 10th century.
In 1273, Rudolf of Habsburg was elected King of the Romans (or King of Germany). He appointed his sons as Dukes of Austria in 1278 and moved the family's power base to Vienna. In 1282, Rudolf bestowed Austria and Styria upon his two sons, thus establishing the 'Austrian hereditary lands'. From this point on, the Habsburgs were also known as the House of Austria.
From 1438 to 1806, with few exceptions, the Habsburg Archduke of Austria was elected as Holy Roman Emperor. The Habsburgs held the title of Holy Roman Emperor between 1438 and 1740 and again from 1745 to 1806. During this period, the various Habsburg possessions never formed a single country, and each province was governed according to its own customs.
In 1556, Charles V divided the House of Habsburg between his son Philip, who received the Spanish Empire, and his brother Ferdinand I, who received Austria and the Imperial crown. The Austrian branch, which ruled the Holy Roman Empire, Hungary, and Bohemia, was further divided between different branches of the family from 1564 until 1665, after which it remained a single personal union.
In 1804, in response to Napoleon's establishment of the First French Empire, Holy Roman Emperor Francis II founded the Empire of Austria, unifying all Habsburg possessions under one central government. This new empire, also known as the Austrian Empire, remained part of the Holy Roman Empire until the latter's dissolution in 1806.
In 1806, Emperor Francis II dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, and Austria became the Austrian Empire, marking the end of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1867, the Austrian Empire formed a dual monarchy with Hungary, creating the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed after World War I.
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Frequently asked questions
Norway is a country located in Northern Europe in the northern and western parts of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is one of the most mountainous countries in Europe and has a long coastline facing the Skagerrak Strait, the North Atlantic Ocean, and the Barents Sea.
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is bordered by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
The capital of Norway is Oslo.
The capital of Austria is Vienna.
