Austria. Geography and History

Austria is a small, landlocked country in central Europe. It shares boundaries with Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia to the north, Hungary to the east, and Slovenia and Italy to the south.

Austria's scenic beauty attracts millions of visitors each year. Skiers enjoy the Austrian Alps and a host of other winter sports. In addition to the majestic snowcapped Alps and their foothills, which stretch across the western, southern, and central parts of the country, Austria has many crystal-clear lakes, and thick forests cover much of the land. Many of Austria's picturesque villages nestle in the broad, green valleys.

People also come to Austria to enjoy the many impressive sights and sounds of one of the great cultural centers of Europe. Austria has made outstanding contributions in the fields of architecture, literature, painting, and, above all, music. Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Strauss, and Johann Strauss, jr., are among the great composers Austria has produced, and the country's musical tradition continues today, as thousands flock to its concerts, operas, and music festivals.

Vienna, Austria's capital and largest city, is also the country's leading cultural, economic, and political center. About 20 per cent of Austria's people live in Vienna. The city's historical section contains many art galleries, churches, theaters, and other beautiful buildings. Many people gather at the sidewalk cafes to enjoy the view and sample some of the delicious pastries and coffee with whipped cream for which Vienna is famous.

Although Vienna lost much of its political importance after World War I (1914-1918), its many land- marks, including the Schonbrunn Palace, recall Austria's former position as one of the most powerful countries in Europe. Austria was the center of a huge empire ruled by the royal Habsburg family from the 1200's until the empire collapsed in 1918. Austria then became a republic, and a long period of economic difficulty and political unrest followed.

The Republic of Austria, map above, is divided into nine provinces: Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria, Vienna, and Vorarlberg. About 75 per cent of the country is covered by mountains, and much of the remainder consists of rolling hills and broad valleys. Most of Austria's people live in the eastern part of the country just south of the Danube River

By the early 1950's, however, industry had in- creased, and Austria's economy began to recover. The country also achieved political stability. Today, as a neutral nation, Austria often serves as a meeting place where representatives of different countries gather to exchange ideas. For example, Vienna hosted meetings of the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT) between the United States and what is now the former Soviet Union. In addition, the Austrian capital is home to several United Nations agencies. In a nationwide election held in June 1994, Austrians voted to join the European Union (EU). The country became an EU member on Jan. 1, 1995.