Austria

Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and subsequent occupation by the victorious Allies in 1945, Austria's status remained unclear for a decade. A State Treaty signed in 1955 ended the occupation, recognized Austria's independence, and forbade unification with Germany. A constitutional law that same year declared the country's "perpetual neutrality" as a condition for Soviet military withdrawal. The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 have altered the meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic country, Austria entered the EU Economic Monetary Union in 1999.

Languages & Population

Approximate Population: 8,199,783 (July 2007 est.)

Nationality (Noun): Austrian(s)

Nationality (Adjective): Austrian

Official Language(s): German

Major Languages Spoken: Croatian, German, Serbian, Slovenian, Turkish

Country Facts

Country Name (long form): Republic of Austria

Country Name (short form): Austria

Country Name (local long form): Republik Oesterreich

Country Name (local short form): Oesterreich

Name of Capital: Vienna

UTC Time Difference (from capital): C+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Countries Near by, and Bordering Austria: Switzerland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary

Land Area: 82444 sq km

Water Area: 1426 sq km

Comparative Area: slightly smaller than Maine

Total Land Boundry: 2,562 km

National Holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality

International Phone Code: 43

Currency Code: euro (EUR)

Internet Country Code: .at

US Embassy Location: Boltzmanngasse 16, A-1090, Vienna

US Embassy Mailing Address: use embassy street address