Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria, a landlocked country in Central Europe, shares its borders with eight countries. These are Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The country is largely mountainous, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps have made many areas of Austria uninhabitable, and the country is one of the least densely populated states in Western and Central Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries surrounding Austria | 8 |
| Countries | Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy |
| Direction | Germany (northwest), Switzerland and Liechtenstein (west), Czech Republic (north), Slovakia (northeast), Hungary (east), Slovenia (south), Italy (southwest) |
| Total border length | 1,574 mi or 2,534 km |
| Longest border | Italy (251 mi or 404 km) |
| Shortest border | Liechtenstein (21 mi or 34 km) |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria's neighbouring countries to the north: Czech Republic
- Countries bordering Austria to the east and northeast: Hungary
- Austria's southern neighbours: Slovenia and Italy
- Countries bordering Austria to the west and southwest: Switzerland and Liechtenstein
- Countries that share a border with Austria to the northwest: Germany
Austria's neighbouring countries to the north: Czech Republic
Austria is bordered by eight countries in total, with the Czech Republic to the north, Germany to the northwest, Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Italy to the southwest, Slovenia to the south, Hungary to the east, and Slovakia to the northeast. The country's central location in Europe has made it a hub for trade routes between major European economic and cultural areas.
Austria and the Czech Republic, both members of the European Union, have a long shared history. The two countries were united under the rule of Ottokar II of Bohemia from 1253 to 1276. Later, they joined with Hungary to form a major European power under the Habsburg dynasty, which lasted from 1526 until 1918. During this time, the Czech lands became the industrial centre of the Monarchy. However, the Czechs' wishes for autonomy were not fulfilled until the end of the empire in 1918 due to opposition from the German population in Bohemia and Moravia.
Following World War I, the Czech lands became part of the First Czechoslovak Republic, while Austria became a federal state in 1920. During this period, the two countries established diplomatic relations. When Austria entered dictatorial rule in 1934, Austrian Social Democrats took refuge in Czechoslovakia and published the Arbeiter-Zeitung, which had been prohibited in Austria. Later, when Austria was annexed to Germany in 1938, some politicians again sought refuge in Czechoslovakia.
In recent times, the two countries have continued to maintain good relations. Austria supported the Czech Republic's membership in the European Union, and in 2000, they agreed on nuclear safety standards and cross-border information in the Protocol of Melk.
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Countries bordering Austria to the east and northeast: Hungary
Austria is a landlocked country in south-central Europe. It shares its borders with eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Austria's border with Hungary is to the east and northeast of the country. The border between the two countries is approximately 331 km (205 mi) long.
Historically, Austria and Hungary were part of the same empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, also referred to as the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy. This constitutional monarchy consisted of two sovereign states with a single monarch, who was both the Emperor of Austria and the King of Hungary. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a major power in Europe and the second-largest country on the continent after Russia. However, the union between Austria and Hungary was terminated in 1918, and the two countries became independent nation-states.
The border demarcation between Austria and Hungary after 1918 was a lengthy and complex process, influenced by the general post-war turmoil in East-Central Europe. The new borders of Austria and Hungary were regulated by the 1919 Treaties of Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Trianon, which reduced both countries to small, landlocked states. The border between Austria and Hungary was an internal administrative border within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but it became an international border after the dissolution of the empire.
During the Cold War, Hungary's border with Austria was part of the "Iron Curtain" dividing Europe. Hungary constructed a border fence, which was removed in 1989 during the fall of communism in Hungary. The open border allowed easier movement between the two countries and was a significant event in the broader wave of revolutions in Central and Eastern Europe.
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Austria's southern neighbours: Slovenia and Italy
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with eight neighbouring countries. To its south lie Slovenia and Italy. The Austrian-Slovenian border is 330 km or 185 mi long, while the Austrian-Italian border is 404 km or 251 mi long.
Slovenia
Slovenia is a small but topographically diverse country, with landscapes including the European Alps, the Karstic Dinaric Alps, the Pannonian and Danubian lowlands and hills, and the Mediterranean coast. The Alpine region takes up about two-fifths of Slovenia's surface area, with the High Alps, comprising the Kamnik and Savinja, the Karavanke, and the Julian Alps, forming the border with Austria in the north and northwest. The historical name for the central Alpine lands is Gorenjska (Upper Carniola), a name still used by Slovenes. The Ljubljana basin, which contains the capital, Ljubljana, and the industrial city of Kranj, is on the southern edge of Gorenjska. The next largest physiographic region is the fertile Subpannonia, which occupies one-fifth of the country and includes the valleys of the Sava, Drava, and Mura rivers. The basins contain the cities of Maribor and Celje. The fourth principal region is Primorska, or the Slovene Littoral.
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe with a long Mediterranean coastline. It has a rich history, having been the centre of the Roman Empire and a major cultural hub during the Renaissance. Italy has a population of over 60 million people and is known for its diverse regional cultures, cuisine, and fashion industry.
Austria and Italy's relationship has been shaped by historical events. After World War I, South Tyrol, which had been an integral part of Tyrol and under Austrian rule for centuries, was ceded to Italy under the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919. The years between the two World Wars were characterised by the oppression of the German-speaking population, who were deprived of their rights under the Fascist regime. After World War II, Austria negotiated with Italy within the framework of the Paris Peace Conference to achieve the highest possible degree of autonomy for South Tyrol. These negotiations resulted in the Paris Agreement of 1946, which forms part of the peace treaty with Italy. The last measures of the agreement were implemented in 1992, officially settling the dispute. Austria continues to exercise a protective function concerning South Tyrol's autonomy.
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Countries bordering Austria to the west and southwest: Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Austria is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Except for Switzerland and Liechtenstein, all of these countries are part of the European Union.
Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Switzerland and Liechtenstein border Austria to the west and southwest. Switzerland is a non-European Union member state, sharing a 98-mile border with Austria. The Swiss-Austrian border is marked by Lake Constance in the west, which is also shared by Germany. Switzerland is known for its majestic mountains and is often associated with winter sports.
Liechtenstein, a small country nestled between Switzerland and Austria, is also a non-EU member state. It is a German-speaking constitutional monarchy with a mountainous landscape, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. The Austria-Liechtenstein boundary is 21 miles long.
Together, Switzerland and Austria form a neutral core in the heart of Europe, despite Austria's membership in the European Union since 1995. This neutrality is a significant aspect of their geographic position, which has historically made them crossroads for trade routes between major European economic and cultural areas.
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Countries that share a border with Austria to the northwest: Germany
Austria is bordered by eight countries in total. To the northwest, it shares a border with Germany. The border between the two countries is 801 km or 497 miles long. Germany is a country in Western Europe, with a population of 83 million people. It is one of the largest countries in Europe, with an area of 357,588 square km. Germany is known for its diverse landscape, including lowlands in the north and uplands in the central and southern regions. The country has a rich history and culture, with many famous cities such as Berlin, Munich, and Frankfurt. Germany has played a significant role in European politics and economics and is known for its technological achievements and automotive industry.
Austria, on the other hand, is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of around 9 million people. It is a much smaller country compared to Germany, with an area of 83,879 square km. Austria is known for its mountainous landscape, with the Austrian Alps forming the physical backbone of the country. The Alps make many areas of Austria uninhabitable, and only about a quarter of the country can be considered low-lying. However, the Alps also contribute to the country's beauty and attract tourists from all over the world.
The relationship between Austria and Germany goes back a long way. Both countries have historically been important transit routes between Eastern and Western Europe. The fall of the Western Roman Empire and the presence of the Alps have influenced the political boundaries and cultural development of both countries. Despite their proximity and shared history, Austria and Germany have distinct cultures and languages, with German being the official language in Germany and Austrian German being the official language in Austria.
The border between Austria and Germany is not just a line on a map but also a cultural and economic exchange zone. Cross-border cooperation and collaboration between the two countries have benefited both sides. The shared border has facilitated trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. Additionally, the border regions have developed their unique identities and communities due to the proximity of the two countries. The Austria-Germany border is a testament to the interconnectedness and cooperation between these two European nations.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria shares its borders with eight countries: Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy.
The Austria-Italy boundary is about 251 miles long.
Germany has the longest border with Austria, at 497 miles.
Italy and Slovenia border Austria to the south.
Hungary, Slovakia, and Liechtenstein are landlocked along with Austria.
