Omari Gates
Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Austria is a member of the European Union and is ranked fifth in the EU in terms of GDP per capita. The country is divided into nine federated states and its capital is Vienna, renowned for its architecture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Austria |
| Continent | Europe |
| Capital | Vienna |
| Population | 1.8 million foreign-born residents (22.3% of the total population) |
| Geography | 70% covered by the Alpine Region |
| The tallest peaks are in the central Tauern Range | |
| The country's highest point is 12,460 ft (3,798 m) | |
| The largest lake in the country is Lake Neusiedler | |
| Lake Neusiedl is also the lowest point in Austria at 115.45 m (378.8 ft) | |
| Federal States | 9 |
| Borders | Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany |
| Parliamentary System | Bicameral (Lower House and Upper House) |
| Membership in International Organisations | European Union |
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What You'll Learn
Geography and landscape
Austria is a country in Central Europe that shares its borders with 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. The country's geographic position has contributed significantly to its prominence, as it lies at the centre of European trade routes between east and west along the Danubian trade route and between north and south through the Alpine passes. This strategic location embeds Austria within diverse political and economic systems.
Austria's landscape is characterised by the Alps, which cover approximately 62% of the country's area. The Alps cast a figurative shadow over other landform regions in Austria, with their high peaks and deep valleys. The Alpine Foreland, extending from the northern edge of the Alps to the capital, Vienna, features ridges, forests, meadows, and wide valleys. The country's most mountainous province is Tyrol, where less than 3% of the land is arable, making it the most sparsely inhabited region. The Alps, in general, have influenced the low population density in Austria, as they often separate groups of people.
The major rivers north of the watershed of the Austrian Alps, such as the Inn in Tyrol, the Salzach in Salzburg, and the Enns in Styria and Upper Austria, are direct tributaries of the Danube and flow north into the Danube Valley. In contrast, the rivers south of the watershed in central and eastern Austria, like the Gail and Drau in Carinthia, flow south into the drainage system of the Drau. The Danube, Austria's main river, flows through Austrian territory for about 350 kilometres. It is the only significant European river flowing eastward and serves as an essential inland waterway, facilitating barge traffic from the North Sea to the Black Sea.
The parts of Austria that are most suitable for settlement due to their arable land and favourable climate, are found north of the Alps in the provinces of Upper Austria and Lower Austria in the Danube Valley. These provinces curve east and south of the Alps, encompassing Lower Austria, Vienna, Burgenland, and Styria. The least mountainous landscape in Austria is located southeast of the low Leithagebirge, forming the southern edge of the Vienna Basin, where the steppe of the Hungarian Plain begins. The granite massif of the Bohemian Forest, also known as the Böhmerwald, is an older, lower mountain range with exposed, windswept plateaus and a harsh climate.
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Population and demographics
The population of Austria has been growing almost exclusively through immigration. In 2020, there were 8,901,064 people living in Austria, which increased to 9,113,574 in mid-2025. This growth can be attributed to gains from international migration, while birth surpluses and statistical adjustments only make a small contribution to the population increase. In 2020, there were 136,343 immigrations and 96,279 emigrations, resulting in a net migration gain of 40,064. This is similar to the net migration gain in 2019, which was 40,613.
The population of Austria has seen a decline in the surplus of women, an aging population, and a continuing growth of the Austrian population with a foreign background. The median age in Austria is 43.6 years, and there are more women than men, especially in the 59+ age groups. This is due to the longer life expectancy of women. The number of children increased rapidly after the Anschluss to the Third Reich in 1938, but the birth rate dropped at the end of World War II and in the early post-war era. The base of the population pyramid is comparatively narrow, with less than 1.29 million children under 15 years of age out of a total population of 8.93 million. About 5.93 million are in the 15 to 64-year range, and 1.72 million are 65 or older.
In 2016, 87,675 children were born in Austria, with a crude birth rate of 10.0 live births per 1,000 population. The total fertility rate was 1.53 children per woman, which is below the "replacement level" of approximately 2 children per woman. The ever-rising age at childbirth, or "postponement" of births, contributes to the low fertility rate in Austria. The number of births in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, was lower than the number of deaths, with a surplus of -7,996. This had also occurred in 2012 and 2013.
Austria's population is expected to continue growing, reaching 9.94 million by 2080. Vienna, the federal capital, has the largest population with 1.92 million residents, followed by Graz, Linz, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Klagenfurt. There are also very small municipalities in Austria, with six municipalities having less than 100 inhabitants at the beginning of 2021. Gramais in Tyrol is the smallest municipality, with only 41 citizens.
In terms of religion, as of 2016, 58.8% of the total Austrian population identified as Roman Catholic, with 7% attending church on Sundays. The number of Muslims has doubled in 15 years to 700,000 in 2016, and about 680,000 people are members of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Additionally, about 12% of the population declared they had no religion in 2001, and this share grew to 20% by 2015.
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Political system
The Republic of Austria is a federal state composed of nine autonomous federal provinces. The country's political system is a federal semi-presidential republic, with a President (Bundespräsident) serving as head of state and a Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) as head of government. The President holds executive power, and the Federal Government (Bundesregierung) is appointed by them. The Austrian Parliament (Parlament) is the country's legislature and consists of two chambers: the National Council (Nationalrat) and the Federal Council (Bundesrat). The National Council has 183 seats and represents the people, while the Federal Council has 60 seats and represents the nine states.
Austria's legal system distinguishes between three instruments of direct democracy: referendums (Volksabstimmungen), popular initiatives (Volksbegehren), and national opinion polls (Volksbefragungen). The result of a referendum is binding, and any bill rejected by a majority vote will not become law. Substantial changes to the constitution always require a referendum, while changes to parts of the constitution only require a referendum if demanded by at least one-third of the National Council or the Federal Council. The country holds National Council elections every five years and presidential elections every six years. Voting is not mandatory, but Austria has a high voter turnout, with 77.7% of the population voting in the 2024 general elections.
The judiciary in Austria is independent of the executive and legislative branches of government. The judiciary comprises the courts and the legal system. There are four levels of judicial authority: district courts (Bezirksgericht), regional courts (Landesgericht), Higher Regional Court (Oberlandesgericht), and the Supreme Court (Oberster Gerichtshof), which is the final court of appeal for civil and criminal proceedings. The police are considered an executive agency and are subject to the Republic of Austria.
Austrian politics is characterised by competition among multiple political parties. The country's political landscape was historically dominated by the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) and the centre-left Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ), with the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ) also playing a significant role. However, newer parties like the Greens and NEOS have gained prominence in recent years, leading to the formation of coalition governments. Grassroots activism and citizen-led movements have also influenced Austrian politics, with notable examples being the anti-nuclear movement of the 1970s and recent climate change activism.
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Food and cuisine
Austrian cuisine is a melting pot of pan-European influences, with recipes and ingredients borrowed from neighbouring countries like Hungary, Bavaria, Bohemia, and Northern Italy. The country's history as a multinational empire under the Habsburgs has also left its mark on the country's culinary landscape, with dishes bearing the imprint of diverse cultures and nationalities.
Austrian food is known for its rich flavours and hearty, comforting meals. Meat and carbohydrates are staples, with pastries and breads playing a prominent role. The iconic Wiener Schnitzel, a breaded and fried veal cutlet, is a classic example of Austrian cuisine, often served with a simple salad or parsley potatoes. Other meat dishes include Schweinebraten, a succulent oven-roasted pork dish served with bread dumplings and sauerkraut, and Vienna sausage, made from pork and beef, smoked at low temperatures, and served in a bun.
Dumplings are an important part of Austrian cuisine, with varieties like Speckknödel (bacon dumplings) from Tyrol, Salzburger Nockerln (a sweet soufflé) from Salzburg, and Spinatknödel (spinach dumplings). Zillertaler Krapfen, a speciality from the Zillertal Valley, features a savoury grey cheese filling in a crispy shell. Knödel, a type of dumpling popular in Eastern Europe, has been embraced and adapted by Austrians, with both sweet and savoury versions widely available.
Freshwater fish, particularly trout, is also common in Austrian cuisine. In Carinthia, which boasts over 1,000 lakes, rivers, and streams, chefs are revitalising traditional fish dishes, showcasing wild-caught and sustainably farmed fish prepared over an open fire. Austrian wine is another notable aspect of the country's cuisine, with the Grüner Veltliner grape producing some of the country's most notable white wines, and Zweigelt being the most widely planted red wine grape.
Austrian cuisine also offers a variety of baked goods and sweets. Pretzels, especially in Vienna and Salzburg, are a popular snack, available in classic salted varieties or with fillings like cheese or chocolate. Strauben, a traditional Austrian funnel cake made with flour, egg yolks, salt, and white wine, is a unique sweet treat, often served with cranberry jam. Apple strudel, or Apfelstrudel, is another well-known Austrian dessert, with its origins in Turkey. Linzer Torte, a cake with ground almonds or nuts and redcurrant jam, is a popular dessert from Linz, while Salzburger Nockerl, a meringue-like dish, is a well-known local dessert.
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History
The history of Austria is a complex one, with the territory undergoing several changes over time. The first record of the name 'Austria' appeared in 996, written as 'Ostarrîchi', referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. In the late Iron Age, around 800 BC, the region was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture, who organised themselves into a kingdom known as Noricum to the Romans. At the end of the 1st century BC, the lands south of the Danube became part of the Roman Empire.
During the Migration Period in the 6th century, the Bavarii, a Germanic tribe, settled in these lands until they were conquered by the Frankish Empire in the 9th century. In 1156, the Privilegium Minus elevated Austria to a duchy, and in 1192, the Babenbergs acquired the Duchy of Styria. With the death of Frederick II in 1246, the Babenberg line ended, and Ottokar II of Bohemia took control. His reign was cut short by his defeat at the hands of Rudolph I of Germany in 1278. From then until World War I, Austria was predominantly ruled by the Habsburg dynasty, who began accumulating neighbouring provinces in the 14th and 15th centuries.
The reign of Frederick, who became King of the Romans in 1452, was pivotal in Austrian history. He united the core territories and formulated the concept of 'Austriae est imperare orbi universo' (Austria's destiny is to rule the world), symbolising Austrian power. In 1526, after the Battle of Mohács, Bohemia and parts of Hungary not under Ottoman rule came under Austrian control, leading to frequent conflicts between the two empires. The Great Turkish War, which ended in 1683 with the successful defence of Vienna, resulted in most of Hungary falling under Austrian rule, formalised by the Treaty of Karlowitz in 1699.
In the past, Austrians were considered ethnic Germans and identified as such. However, this national identity was challenged by Austrian nationalism, particularly after World War II. Today, Austrians are described as a nationality or a homogeneous Germanic ethnic group closely related to Germans, Liechtensteiners, and German-speaking Swiss. The country has strong economic ties with Germany and is now a member state of the European Union, benefiting from increased foreign investment.
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Frequently asked questions
The capital of Austria is Vienna (Wien), which is renowned for its architecture.
Austria is a country in Central Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Czech Republic, to the northeast by Slovakia, to the east by Hungary, to the south by Slovenia, to the southwest by Italy, to the west by Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and to the northwest by Germany.
Most of Austria (70%) is covered by the Alpine Region, with several mountain ranges including the Bavarian, Carnic, and Otztaler ranges. The country's tallest peaks are in the central Tauern Range, with the highest point at 12,460 ft (3,798 m).
Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with two chambers: the directly elected Nationalrat (Lower House) and the Bundesrat (Upper House) elected by regional parliaments.
Yes, Austria is a member of the European Union and ranks fifth in the EU in terms of GDP per capita. However, it is not a member of NATO.
