Austria, Federal republic in Central Europe with nine states and high mountain ranges.
Description
Austria is a federal republic in Central Europe composed of nine states, with alpine mountains covering most of its terrain. The territory extends across 32,386 square miles (83,879 square kilometers), with the Eastern Alps occupying more than sixty percent of the landmass, while the Danube River flows through the northern lowlands and alpine valleys characterize the southern and western areas.
History
Following the collapse of the Habsburg Empire in 1918, the First Republic formed from German-speaking territories. Annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 ended with Allied occupation after 1945, while the State Treaty of 1955 restored sovereignty and established permanent neutrality that remains in force today.
Culture
German serves as the primary language of administration and daily life, while Croatian, Slovenian, and Hungarian enjoy constitutional protection as minority languages in designated regions where they maintain official status in schools and local government.
Practical
Rail and highway systems connect Vienna, Graz, Linz, and Salzburg through mountain passes and valley corridors throughout the year. International airports serve the capital and other population centers, while public transport networks reach remote alpine areas even in winter months.
Did you know?
Eight nations border the territory, positioning it as a crossroads between Western, Eastern, and Southern Europe. This central location has shaped trade routes, political relationships, and cultural exchanges between different European regions for centuries, influencing development patterns throughout the continent.
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Austria extends well beyond Vienna and Salzburg. Away from major tourist routes lie natural monuments and historical sites that reveal the country's geological and cultural heritage. From the Eisriesenwelt ice caves near Werfen to medieval castles such as Hochosterwitz in Carinthia, this collection...
The Austrian Alps bring together history and nature in one region. Castles and fortresses sit on hilltops and overlook valleys, like Salzburg Fortress and Hohenwerfen Castle near Werfen. Grand palaces such as Mirabell and Hellbrunn showcase the architecture and gardens of earlier centuries. For...
Austria is home to some of the largest ski areas in the Alps. These resorts stretch across several valleys and peaks, connected by lifts and cable cars that let skiers make runs without repeating the same slope twice. There are gentle slopes for beginners, forested routes, high-altitude glaciers,...
Zugspitze
234.7 km
Schönbrunn Palace
173.1 km
Grossglockner
142.3 km
St. Stephen's Cathedral
177.9 km
Red Bull Ring
104.1 km
Neusiedl Lake
206 km
Belvedere
178.3 km
Prater
179.7 km
University of Vienna
177 km
Hofburg Palace
177.3 km
Vienna State Opera house
177.6 km
Vienna Central Cemetery
182.1 km
Wachau
113.9 km
Kunsthistorisches Museum
177 km
Imperial Crypt
177.7 km
Grossglockner High Alpine Road
134.2 km
Hohenwerfen Castle
83.7 km
Karawanks Tunnel
164.9 km
Hundertwasserhaus
179.4 km
Melk Abbey
102.2 km
Burgtheater
177.1 km
Vindobona
177.7 km
Hoher Dachstein
65.5 km
Haidach gas storage
57.3 km
Ernst-Happel-Stadion
181.4 km
Adolf-Hitler-Geburtshaus
77.1 km
Wiener Riesenrad
179.7 km
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