Austria is a landlocked country in the heart of Central Europe, bordered by Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and several other nations. It is celebrated for its stunning Alpine scenery, classical music heritage, and rich imperial history. The country was once the center of the vast Habsburg Empire, which shaped much of European culture and politics for centuries.
- Capital
- Vienna
- Continent
- Europe
- Region
- Central Europe
- Area
- 83,871 km²
- Coordinates
- 47.33333333° N, 13.33333333° E
Country facts
- Austria is the birthplace of composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Schubert.
- German is the official language of Austria, spoken by the vast majority of its population.
- The Austrian Alps cover a large portion of the country and are a major destination for skiing and hiking.
- Austria joined the European Union in 1995 and adopted the euro as its currency in 1999.
- The edelweiss, a white Alpine flower, is one of Austria's most recognizable national symbols.
Capital facts
- Vienna has been continuously settled since at least the 1st century AD, when the Romans established a military camp called Vindobona there.
- The Ringstrasse, a grand circular boulevard lined with monumental buildings, was developed under Emperor Franz Joseph I in the 19th century.
- Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, served as the summer residence of the Habsburg imperial family.
- The Vienna Philharmonic, based in the city, is one of the most prestigious orchestras in the world.
- Vienna is home to the historic Naschmarkt, an open-air market that has operated in the city for over 400 years.