Austria is a small country in Central Europe, sharing borders with multiple countries. It has a rich history, from Celtic and Roman occupation to Habsburg dynasty rule and involvement in World War I. Today, Austria is a democratic country and a popular tourist destination, known for skiing, cultural attractions, and natural sites. It is easily accessible by flights, buses, and trains.
Austria is a small country in Central Europe. It covers 32,400 square miles (83,900 square km), making it somewhat larger than the state of Maine. It shares borders with the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland.
The region that is now Austria has been inhabited for millennia by various tribal groups. The land was extensively occupied by the Celts, and was later ruled by the Romans. Slavs made their way into the region in the 7th century and Bavarians in the 8th century. Charlemagne conquered the region in the late 8th century, finally losing control to the Magyars in the early 10th century.
Otto the Great, the first Holy Roman Emperor, retook the lands in the mid-10th century. During the following centuries the lands would be extensively developed and settled, with fortified towns and large churches and monasteries built. In the mid-12th century Austria was established a Duchy within the Holy Roman Empire. The Babenberg dynasty controlled the region for most of this time, until they died out and were eventually replaced by the Habsburgs in the late 13th century.
The Habsburgs went on to acquire many other estates to add to their Duchy over the following centuries and to consolidate their dynastic power. By the end of the 15th century, mainly through marriage, the Habsburgs had gained control over Spain and its various possessions. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the Habsburg power continued to grow and with it the Austrian one. From the 16th century onwards, nearly every Holy Roman Emperor would be a Habsburg. In the early 18th century the Habsburgs lost control of Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession, but gained numerous other possessions in Europe, including large parts of Belgium and the Austrian Netherlands. Austria maintained its power during the remainder of the 18th century despite a tumultuous succession and escalating wars with a number of other European powers and Prussia.
Following several defeats at the hands of Napoleon, the Holy Roman Empire finally collapsed in the early 19th century, leaving only the Habsburgs as emperors of Austria. In the mid-19th century, after a period of relative despotism, Austria began to liberalize. In the late 19th century a weakened Austria joined forces with Hungary to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which continued to implement liberal policies by creating a Parliament and bill of rights.
When Archduke Franz Ferdinand, a Habsburg, was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist, events spiraled out of control and eventually led to World War I. The Central Powers, including the Austro-Hungarian Empire, were eventually defeated and the Empire was dissolved. Austria reformed as German Austria and the new state did relatively well in the aftermath of the war compared to Hungary and Germany.
Austria began to move drastically towards fascism in the 1930s and was eventually annexed by Nazi Germany. At the end of the war, Austria was occupied by Allied forces and divided in a manner similar to that of Germany. Austria during this period pushed democratic practices and moved towards independence over the next decade. In 1955 the country again gained independence. Since independence, Austria has remained democratic and has promoted a number of liberal reforms, joining the European Union in 1995.
Austria is an ideal destination for tourists throughout the year. Skiing in the Alps during the winter is one of the nation’s top attractions, drawing visitors from all over Europe and beyond. Vienna is a wonderful city, rich in culture and history, with a music and art scene that is like no other. Natural sites such as the Eisriesenwelt caves, the largest ice caves in the world, or the three-level Krimml waterfalls complete the experience.
Flights arrive daily in Vienna from cities all over the world. Traveling by bus also connects Austria with the rest of Europe and is much cheaper. Trains also connect the country to points beyond.
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