Austria

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Inception: November 12, 1918

Capital city: Vienna

Part of: Central Europe, European Union, European Economic Area

Shares border with: Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, Democratic Federal Yugoslavia

Address: Austria

Website: http://austria.gv.at

GPS coordinates: 48.00000,14.00000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:26