Austria

Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe.

It occupies an area of 83,879km2 and has a population of nearly 9 million people.

Austrian German is the country's official language.

It is composed of nine federated states:

1. Tyrol
2. Styria
3. Salzburg
4. Carinthia
5. Vorarlberg
6. Burgenland
7. Lower Austria
8. Upper Austria
9. Vienna (capital and largest city)

Austria is bordered by:

 Hungary to the east

 Slovakia to the northeast
 Germany to the northwest
 Slovenia and Italy to the south
 The Czech Republic to the north
 Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west

Austria emerged as a margraviate around 976 and developed into a duchy and archduchy.
In the 16th century, it served as the heart of the Habsburg Monarchy and the junior branch
of the House of Habsburg – one of the most influential royal dynasties in history.
In the 19th century, Austria established its own empire.

Austria was involved in WWI following the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand.

In 1919 the First Austrian Republic became the legal successor of Austria.
In 1938, the Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, achieved the annexation of Austria by the Anschluss.
Following the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 and an extended period of Allied occupation,
Austria was re-established as a sovereign democratic nation known as the Second Republic.