Damon Mcknight
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe, sharing its borders with several other European countries. The country is predominantly mountainous, with the Alps and the Danube Valley as notable geographical features. Austria's neighbours include Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. The country's unique landscape, shaped by its geographical location, contributes to its diverse culture and history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Countries that share borders with Austria | Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy |
| Austria's border length with each country | Switzerland (158 km), Liechtenstein (34 km), Germany (801 km), Czech Republic (402 km), Slovakia (105 km), Hungary (331 km), Slovenia (330 km), Italy (404 km) |
| Total border length | 2,534 km or 1,574 mi |
| Austria's location | Central Europe |
| Type of country | Landlocked, mountainous |
| Area | 83,871 sq km or 32,383 sq mi |
| Population density | 93 inhabitants per sq km |
| Capital | Vienna |
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What You'll Learn
Austria borders Germany to the north
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is predominantly mountainous, with the Alps and the Danube Valley as key geographical features. The country has a total area of 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi). Austria's landscape is incredibly diverse, with its length extending from Lake Constance in the west to the Neusiedler See on the Austrian-Hungarian border in the east.
Austria shares its longest border with Germany, with the border stretching 784km or 497 miles. To the north, Austria also borders the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Germany, however, also shares a border with Austria to the west, along with Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Austria's southern border includes Slovenia and Italy, with the Brenner Pass in the Italian border being an important route for north-south transit. To the east, Austria shares a border with Hungary.
Austria's geographical position in Central Europe has historically been an important avenue of east-west transit. The country's location between Germany and Italy has been a significant route for transit between these two highly industrialised regions. The opening of Eastern Europe in 1989 also saw Austria resume its historical role as a key transit country, with an increase in people and vehicles crossing its eastern frontiers.
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Austria borders Switzerland to the west
Austria is a landlocked country located in Central Europe. It is predominantly mountainous and has a total area of 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi). The country measures almost 600 km (370 mi) in length, extending from Lake Constance in the west to the Neusiedler See in the east.
Austria shares national borders with Switzerland to the west. The border with Switzerland is 158 km (98 mi) long. The country also shares a border with the principality of Liechtenstein to the west, which is approximately 34 km (21 mi) or 35 km long.
Austria's other neighbours include Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, and Slovenia and Italy to the south. The westernmost third of the country consists of a narrow corridor between Germany and Italy, while the rest of Austria lies to the east. The Semmering Pass on the provincial border of Lower Austria and Styria provides northeast–southwest access to Styria and Slovenia, and, via Carinthia, to Italy. The most important pass in the Austrian Alps is the Brenner Pass, located on the Austrian-Italian border in Tyrol.
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Austria shares a border with the Czech Republic
Austria and the Czech Republic have a long shared history. From 1253 to 1276, they were united under the rule of Ottokar II of Bohemia, and later, along with Hungary, they formed a major European power under the Habsburg dynasty from 1526 until 1918. During this time, Vienna served as the capital of the centralized monarchy, which led to tensions with the Czechs and Germans as nationalism rose in Central Europe in the 19th century. The Czechs demanded to be ruled by a government in their kingdom's capital, Prague, instead of Vienna.
After the fall of the empire in 1918, German Austria and Czechoslovakia disagreed over the German districts in Bohemia and Moravia, where over 3 million German residents wished to join the State of German Austria. This led to the Czechs occupying these districts to maintain the integrity of the Bohemian lands, and the Treaty of St. Germain in 1919 recognized their rights to do so. In 1934, when Austria entered dictatorial rule, Austrian Social Democrats like Otto Bauer and Julius Deutsch sought refuge in the Czechoslovak Republic and established the ALÖS, the foreign bureau of Austrian Social Democrats, in Brno.
Austria and the Czech Republic have maintained neighborly relations as members of the European Union. Austria supported the Czech Republic's membership in the EU, although the Czech Republic is a member of NATO while Austria is not. The two countries share a mountainous landscape, with the Alps and the Danube River influencing their geography and culture. The Alps, in particular, have contributed to the development of distinct regional subcultures within both countries.
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Austria's eastern border is with Hungary
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a total area of 83,871 square kilometres (32,383 sq mi). It shares borders with several countries, including Hungary to the east. The border between Austria and Hungary is approximately 366 kilometres long, beginning at the River Danube, opposite the Slovakian town of Šamorín. The border has a mostly north-south orientation, with a significant westward deviation at the level of the village of Tárnokréti in Hungary, creating a protrusion of Hungarian territory into Austrian land. The border ends near the village of Felsőszölnök, at the Austria-Hungary-Slovenia tripoint.
The Austria-Hungary border was established in 1921 after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and has remained unchanged since. This border is significant for cross-border cooperation and has contributed to the strong growth of tourism in the region. The Karawanken Tunnel, for example, connects Austria and Slovenia, serving as a special toll road in both countries. Additionally, Lake Neusiedl, situated on the border, is a symbol of the calm and positive relationship between the two countries.
The border crossing between Austria and Hungary features numerous road crossings, with the most famous ones being approximately 45-50 minutes away from Vienna, Austria's capital. These crossings include highway crossings and rural roads that are less significant for international traffic. Due to border checks, toll checks, and construction zones, waiting times at these crossings can vary from 5 minutes to over an hour, with congestion being more common during peak travel times.
To drive on the highways of Austria and Hungary, drivers are required to purchase a vignette or toll pass. In Hungary, all motor vehicles need a digital vignette called the E-Matrica, which can be purchased online before the trip. Austria also has a vignette requirement for vehicles up to 3.5 tons, with different validity periods available. For vehicles over 3.5 tons, a route-based toll must be paid, which is automatically charged via an onboard unit.
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Italy is a southern neighbour of Austria
The Italian province of South Tyrol, also known as Alto Adige, was once part of Austria. After the First World War, South Tyrol was ceded to Italy under the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919. At the time, the majority of the population spoke German and identified with Austrian or German nationality. However, the Italianisation of South Tyrol significantly modified the local demographics. Today, South Tyrol is the wealthiest province in Italy, and its political framework conditions have improved due to Austria's accession to the European Union.
The Semmering Pass, located on the provincial border of Lower Austria and Styria, provides northeast-southwest access to Styria, Slovenia, and Italy via Carinthia. The province of Carinthia, located on the border with Slovenia, is also home to Austria's southernmost point. The Southern Calcareous Alps, which run along the Carinthia-Slovenia border, are predominantly composed of limestone and dolomite.
Austria and Italy have had diplomatic exchanges regarding the autonomy of South Tyrol. In 1969, negotiations resulted in a comprehensive model for a resolution, known as the "South Tyrol Package," which included measures to benefit the German-speaking ethnic group in South Tyrol. The dispute was officially settled in 1992 with the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Austria continues to exercise a protective function concerning South Tyrol's autonomy and maintains regular exchanges with the region.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria shares its borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Austria shares its longest border with Germany, with 784km or 497 miles of border between the two countries.
Austria's shortest border is with Liechtenstein, with just 34km or 21 miles of border between the two countries.
The Brenner Pass is the most important pass in the Austrian Alps. Located on the Austrian-Italian border, it is one of the lowest Alpine passes at 1,370m.
The Danube Valley has historically been an important avenue of east-west transit, connecting Central Europe with the Balkan Peninsula.
