Austria is a predominantly mountainous, landlocked country located in south-central Europe. Alongside Switzerland, it constitutes what has been described as the neutral core of Europe, despite Austria’s full membership in the European Union (EU) since 1995.
The strategic significance of Austria is largely due to its geographic position. Positioned at the center of European traffic, it serves as a crucial link between east and west along the Danubian trade route and between north and south through the impressive Alpine passes. This situates the country within a complex web of political and economic systems. Following the collapse of Austria-Hungary in 1918, the multinational empire of which it was the heart, Austria underwent over a quarter century of social and economic upheaval, including a period of Nazi dictatorship.
The establishment of permanent neutrality in 1955, marked by the withdrawal of Allied troops that had occupied the country since the end of World War II, allowed Austria to evolve into a stable and socially progressive nation. It has cultivated a flourishing cultural life reminiscent of its earlier days of international musical glory. Austria’s social and economic institutions reflect new forms and a spirit of cooperation. Although political and social challenges persist, they have not erupted with the same intensity witnessed in other countries on the Continent. The capital of Austria is the historic city of Vienna (Wien), formerly the seat of the Holy Roman Empire and renowned for its architecture.
