Austria | Facts, People, and Points of Interest

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data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria">Austria</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/place/Austria">Introduction & Quick Facts</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref33387"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria#ref33387">Land</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33388"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria#ref33388">Relief</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33389"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria#ref33389">Drainage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33390"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Climate">Climate</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33391"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Climate#ref33391">Plant and animal life</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref33394"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Climate#ref33394">People</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33395"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Climate#ref33395">Ethnic groups</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274940"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages">Languages</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274941"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages#ref274941">Religion</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33393"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages#ref33393">Settlement patterns</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33396"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages#ref33396">Demographic trends</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref33397"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Languages#ref33397">Economy</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274936"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Agriculture-and-forestry">Agriculture and forestry</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33398"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Agriculture-and-forestry#ref33398">Resources and power</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33399"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Agriculture-and-forestry#ref33399">Manufacturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33401"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Finance">Finance</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33400"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Finance#ref33400">Trade</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274937"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Finance#ref274937">Services</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274938"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Finance#ref274938">Labour and taxation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33402"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications">Transportation and telecommunications</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref33403"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications#ref33403">Government and society</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33404"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications#ref33404">Constitutional framework</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274939"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications#ref274939">Local government</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33407"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Transportation-and-telecommunications#ref33407">Justice</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33406"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Political-process">Political process</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33408"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Political-process#ref33408">Security</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33410"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Political-process#ref33410">Health and welfare</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33409"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Education">Education</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref33413"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Education#ref33413">Cultural life</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33414"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Education#ref33414">Cultural milieu</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274933"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Education#ref274933">Daily life and social customs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274934"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/The-arts">The arts</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33415"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions">Cultural institutions</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref274935"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions#ref274935">Sports and recreation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33416"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions#ref33416">Media and publishing</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref129458"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions#ref129458">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33330"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Cultural-institutions#ref33330">Prehistory and Roman times</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33331"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Early-Middle-Ages">Early Middle Ages</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33332"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Early-Middle-Ages#ref33332">Germanic and Slavic settlement</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33333"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Early-Babenberg-period">Early Babenberg period</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33334"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Later-Babenberg-period">Later Babenberg period</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33335"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Late-Middle-Ages">Late Middle Ages</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33336"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Late-Middle-Ages#ref33336">Contest for the Babenberg heritage</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33337"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Accession-of-the-Habsburgs">Accession of the Habsburgs</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33338"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Division-of-the-Habsburg-lands">Division of the Habsburg lands</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33339"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Burgundian-and-Spanish-marriages">Burgundian and Spanish marriages</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33340"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Burgundian-and-Spanish-marriages#ref33340">Reformation and Counter-Reformation</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33341"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Burgundian-and-Spanish-marriages#ref33341">Acquisition of Bohemia</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33342"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Advance-of-Protestantism">Advance of Protestantism</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33343"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Advance-of-Protestantism#ref33343">Rudolf II and Matthias</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33344"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/The-Bohemian-rising-and-the-victory-of-the-Counter-Reformation">The Bohemian rising and the victory of the Counter-Reformation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33345"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/The-Bohemian-rising-and-the-victory-of-the-Counter-Reformation#ref33345">Struggle with Sweden and France</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33346"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Austria-as-a-great-power">Austria as a great power</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33347"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/War-of-the-Spanish-Succession">War of the Spanish Succession</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33348"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/War-of-the-Spanish-Succession#ref33348">Problem of the Austrian succession</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33349"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/New-conflicts-with-the-Turks-and-the-Bourbons">New conflicts with the Turks and the Bourbons</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33350"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Social-economic-and-cultural-trends-in-the-Baroque-period">Social, economic, and cultural trends in the Baroque period</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33351"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/From-the-accession-of-Maria-Theresa-to-the-Congress-of-Vienna">From the accession of Maria Theresa to the Congress of Vienna</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33352"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/From-the-accession-of-Maria-Theresa-to-the-Congress-of-Vienna#ref33352">War of the Austrian Succession, 1740–48</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33353"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/First-reforms-1748-56">First reforms, 1748–56</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33354"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/First-reforms-1748-56#ref33354">Seven Years’ War, 1756–63</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33355"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Reforms-1763-80">Reforms, 1763–80</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33356"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Reforms-1763-80#ref33356">Foreign affairs, 1763–80</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33357"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Early-reign-of-Joseph-II-1780-85">Early reign of Joseph II, 1780–85</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33358"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Late-reign-of-Joseph-II-1785-90">Late reign of Joseph II, 1785–90</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33359"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Conflicts-with-revolutionary-France-1790-1805">Conflicts with revolutionary France, 1790–1805</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33360"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Conflicts-with-Napoleonic-France">Conflicts with Napoleonic France</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33361"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/The-Age-of-Metternich-1815-48">The Age of Metternich, 1815–48</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33362"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Revolution-and-counterrevolution-1848-59">Revolution and counterrevolution, 1848–59</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33363"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Neoabsolutist-era-1849-60">Neoabsolutist era, 1849–60</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33364"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Constitutional-experimentation-1860-67">Constitutional experimentation, 1860–67</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref33365"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Austria-Hungary-1867-1918">Austria-Hungary, 1867–1918</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33366"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Austria-Hungary-1867-1918#ref33366">Ausgleich of 1867</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33367"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Domestic-affairs-1867-73">Domestic affairs, 1867–73</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33368"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/International-relations-the-Balkan-orientation">International relations: the Balkan orientation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref33369" class="has-children"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/place/Austria/Domestic-affairs-1879-1908">Domestic affairs, 1879–1908</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h4"><li 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Author of <i>Looking at Germany </i>and others.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> George Hall Kirby</span><span class="text-gray-700 mx-5">•</span><a class="see-all border-gray-700 gtm-byline" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria/additional-info#contributors">All</a> </div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2024-11-23T00:00:00CST" >Nov 23, 2024</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm 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</button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies multiple medialist slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100" data-type="other"><div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex"><div class="rw-track d-flex align-items-center"><div class="position-relative rw-slide col-100 px-20 "><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="212409" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/191120-050-B6C0B7E9/village-Hallstatt-Alps-Austria.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/44183/212409"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/191120-050-B6C0B7E9/village-Hallstatt-Alps-Austria.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/191120-050-B6C0B7E9/village-Hallstatt-Alps-Austria.jpg?w=300" alt="Hallstatt, Austria" data-width="1000" data-height="667" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/191120-050-B6C0B7E9/village-Hallstatt-Alps-Austria.jpg" data-href="/media/1/44183/212409">Hallstatt, Austria</a><span>Hallstatt village in the northern Alps, Austria.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div></div><button disabled="true" class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span></button><button disabled="true" class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue-dark m-20"><span class="material-icons" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span></button></div><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref409238"></span>Austria</strong>, largely mountainous <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/landlocked-country" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">landlocked country</a> of south-central <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Europe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Europe</a>. Together with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Switzerland</a>, it forms what has been <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="characterized" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/characterized" data-type="EB">characterized</a> as the neutral core of Europe, notwithstanding Austria’s full membership since 1995 in the supranational <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/European-Union" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">European Union</a> (EU).</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="208457" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/183587-050-379FCD4F/World-Data-Locator-Map-Austria.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/44183/208457"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/183587-050-379FCD4F/World-Data-Locator-Map-Austria.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/183587-050-379FCD4F/World-Data-Locator-Map-Austria.jpg?w=300" alt="Austria" data-width="2000" data-height="1916" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/87/183587-050-379FCD4F/World-Data-Locator-Map-Austria.jpg" data-href="/media/1/44183/208457">Austria</a><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">A great part of Austria’s prominence can be attributed to its geographic position. It is at the centre of European traffic between east and west along the great <span id="ref409239"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Danube-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Danubian</a> trade route and between north and south through the magnificent <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Alps" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alpine</a> passes, thus embedding the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/nation-state" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">country</a> within a variety of political and economic systems. In the decades following the collapse in 1918 of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Austria-Hungary" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Austria-Hungary</a>, the multinational empire of which it had been the heart, this small country experienced more than a quarter century of social and economic turbulence and a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nazi-Party" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Nazi</a> <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="dictatorship" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/dictatorship" data-type="EB">dictatorship</a>. Yet the establishment of permanent neutrality in 1955, associated with the withdrawal of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Allied-Powers-international-alliance" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Allied</a> troops that had occupied the country since the end of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/event/World-War-II" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">World War II</a>, enabled Austria to develop into a stable and socially progressive nation with a flourishing cultural life reminiscent of its earlier days of international musical glory. Its social and economic institutions too have been characterized by new forms and a spirit of cooperation, and, although political and social problems remain, they have not erupted with the intensity evidenced in other countries of the Continent. The capital of Austria is historic <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Vienna" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Vienna</a> (Wien), the former seat of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Holy-Roman-Empire" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Holy Roman Empire</a> and a city renowned for its <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="architecture" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/architecture" data-type="EB">architecture</a>.</p><div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="qf-title font-weight-bold font-14 mb-10 text-center"> Quick Facts</div> <div class="m-n10 "> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 media-slider card-snap-slider col-100"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex col-100"> <div class="rw-track w-100"> <div class="pt-10 d-inline-flex col-100"> <div class="w-100"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/6073-050-4D6FDAF6/Flag-Austria.jpg" data-href="/media/1/44183/62124" class="media-overlay-link card-media d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-20" > <div class="position-relative"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/6073-050-4D6FDAF6/Flag-Austria.jpg" alt="Austria" class="cropped-false w-100 " /> <em class="material-icons qf-zoom" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </div> </a> <div class="card-body text-center pt-5 pb-10 font-14"> <span>See article: <a href="/topic/flag-of-Austria">flag of Austria</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-lg btn-blue btn-blue-dark" aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <audio src="https://cdn.britannica.com/48/145648-005-9ED3051A/instrumental-national-anthem-Austria.mp3" type="audio/mpeg" controls=""></audio> <div class="text-center font-12 mt-5"> <span>Audio File:</span> National anthem of Austria</div> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Also Known As: </dt> <dd>Republic of Austria</dd> <dd>Österreich</dd> <dd>Republik Österreich</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Head Of Government: </dt> <dd>Chancellor: Karl Nehammer</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Capital: </dt> <dd><a href="/place/Vienna">Vienna</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population: </dt> <dd>(2024 est.) 9,295,000</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Currency Exchange Rate: </dt> <dd>1 USD equals 0.937 euro</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Head Of State: </dt> <dd>President: Alexander Van der Bellen</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Form Of Government: </dt> <dd>federal state with two legislative houses (Federal Council [61]; National Council [183])</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Language: </dt> <dd>German</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Religion: </dt> <dd>none</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Official Name: </dt> <dd>Republik Österreich (Republic of Austria)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Km): </dt> <dd>83,884</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Total Area (Sq Mi): </dt> <dd>32,388</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Monetary Unit: </dt> <dd>euro (€)</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population Rank: </dt> <dd>(2023) 99</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Population Projection 2030: </dt> <dd>9,113,000</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Density: Persons Per Sq Mi: </dt> <dd>(2024) 287</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Density: Persons Per Sq Km: </dt> <dd>(2024) 110.8</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Urban-Rural Population: </dt> <dd>Urban: (2024) 59.8%</dd> <dd>Rural: (2024) 40.2%</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Life Expectancy At Birth: </dt> <dd>Male: (2022) 79.1 years</dd> <dd>Female: (2022) 83.8 years</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Literacy: Percentage Of Population Age 15 And Over Literate: </dt> <dd>Male: 100%</dd> <dd>Female: 100%</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000): </dt> <dd>(2023) 502,931</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="facts-item-none d-none"> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Gni Per Capita (U.S.$): </dt> <dd>(2023) 55,070</dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/Austria"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> <button class="facts-list-show-more-btn mt-15 p-0 mx-auto btn font-14 d-block font-weight-normal"> <span class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></span> <span class="show-more-label">Show More</span> </button> </div><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref33387"><h2 class="h1"><span id="ref409240"></span>Land</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="62126" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/6076-050-F567A6E3/features-Austria.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/44183/62126"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/6076-050-F567A6E3/features-Austria.jpg"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/6076-050-F567A6E3/features-Austria.jpg?w=300" alt="Austria" data-width="1600" data-height="1120" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/6076-050-F567A6E3/features-Austria.jpg" data-href="/media/1/44183/62126">Austria</a><span>Physical features of Austria.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Austria is bordered to the north by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Czech-Republic" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Czech Republic</a>, to the northeast by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Slovakia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Slovakia</a>, to the east by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Hungary" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Hungary</a>, to the south by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Slovenia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Slovenia</a>, to the southwest by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Italy" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Italy</a>, to the west by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Switzerland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Switzerland</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Liechtenstein" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Liechtenstein</a>, and to the northwest by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Germany" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Germany</a>. It extends roughly 360 miles (580 km) from east to west.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span> <section data-level="2" id="ref33388"><h2 class="h2">Relief</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Mountains and forests give the Austrian landscape its character, although in the northeastern part of the country the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Danube-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Danube River</a> winds between the eastern edge of the <span id="ref409241"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Alps" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Alps</a> and the hills of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bohemia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bohemia</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Moravia" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Moravia</a> in its journey toward the Alföld, or <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hungarian-people" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Hungarian</a> Plain. Vienna lies in the area where the Danube emerges from between the mountains into the drier plains.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The Austrian Alps form the physical <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="backbone" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/backbone" data-type="EB">backbone</a> of the country. They may be subdivided into a northern and a southern limestone range, each of which is composed of rugged mountains. These two ranges are separated by a central range that is softer in form and outline and composed of crystalline rocks. The Alpine landscape offers a complex geologic and topographical pattern, with the highest elevation—the <span id="ref409242"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Grossglockner" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Grossglockner</a> (12,460 feet [3,798 metres])—rising toward the west. The western Austrian <em>Länder</em> (states) of <span id="ref409245"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Vorarlberg" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Vorarlberg</a>, <span id="ref409246"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Tirol-state-Austria" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Tirol</a>, and <span id="ref409247"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Salzburg-state-Austria" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Salzburg</a> are characterized by the majestic mountains and magnificent scenery of the high Alps. This high Alpine character also extends to the western part of the state of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Karnten" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Kärnten</a> (Carinthia), to the <span id="ref409248"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Salzkammergut" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Salzkammergut</a> region of central Austria, and to the Alpine blocks of the state of <span id="ref409249"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Steiermark" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Steiermark</a> (Styria).</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/guess-the-country-by-its-neighbors-quiz" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/247338-131-37776892/passport-visas-stamps-world-map.jpg" alt="Opened passport with visas, stamps, seals, world map. (travel, tourism)" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Guess the Country by Its Neighbors Quiz</div> </div> </a><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">North of the massive Alpine spur lies a hilly subalpine region, stretching between the northern Alps and the Danube and <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="encompassing" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/encompassing" data-type="MW">encompassing</a> the northern portion of the state of <span id="ref409250"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Oberosterreich" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Oberösterreich</a> (Upper Austria). To the north of the river is a richly wooded foothill area that includes a portion of the <span id="ref409251"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bohemian-Massif" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bohemian Massif</a>, which extends across the Czech border into the state of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Niederosterreich" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Niederösterreich</a> (Lower Austria). This part of Austria is furrowed by many valleys that for centuries served as passageways leading to the east and southeast of Europe and even—in the case of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="medieval" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medieval" data-type="MW">medieval</a> pilgrims and Crusaders—to the Holy Land. The lowland area east of Vienna, together with the northern part of the state of <span id="ref409252"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Burgenland" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Burgenland</a>, may be regarded as a western extension of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Little-Alfold" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Little Alföld</a> (Little Hungarian Plain).</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span></section> <section data-level="2" id="ref33389"><h2 class="h2">Drainage</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Austria is a land of lakes, many of them a <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="legacy" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legacy" data-type="MW">legacy</a> of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/Pleistocene-Epoch" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Pleistocene Epoch</a> (i.e., about 2,600,000 to about 11,700 years ago), during which glacial erosion scooped out mountain lakes in the central Alpine district, notably around the Salzkammergut. The largest lakes—lying partly in the territory of neighbouring countries—are <span id="ref409243"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Constance" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Lake Constance</a> (Bodensee) in the west and the marshy <span id="ref409244"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Neusiedler-Lake" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Neusiedler Lake</a> (Neusiedlersee) in the east.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=black-friday-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="1475" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/20284-050-832240CF/Vineyards-Danube-River-Wachau-Austria-region.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/44183/1475"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/20284-050-832240CF/Vineyards-Danube-River-Wachau-Austria-region.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/20284-050-832240CF/Vineyards-Danube-River-Wachau-Austria-region.jpg?w=300" alt="Danube River" data-width="1315" data-height="1323" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/84/20284-050-832240CF/Vineyards-Danube-River-Wachau-Austria-region.jpg" data-href="/media/1/44183/1475">Danube River</a><span>Vineyards along the Danube River in the Wachau region, Austria.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">Nearly all Austrian territory drains into the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Danube-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Danube River</a> system. The main watershed between the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Black-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Black Sea</a> and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/North-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">North Sea</a> runs across northern Austria, in some places lying only about 22 miles (35 km) from the Danube, while to the west the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="watershed" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/watershed" data-type="EB">watershed</a> between the Danube and the river systems emptying into the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Atlantic</a> and the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mediterranean-Sea" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mediterranean</a> coincides with the western political boundary of Austria. In the south the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Julian-Alps" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Julian</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Carnic-Alps" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Carnic</a> (Karnische) Alps and, farther to the west, the main Alpine range mark the watershed of the region draining into the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Po-River" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Po River</a> of northern Italy.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span></section> </section><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":51,"pageId":44183,"pageLength":835,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"A","adLeg":"A","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"COUNTRY_PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Austria | Facts, People, and Points of Interest | Britannica