Austria

Austria is a landlocked country in southern Central Europe, located in the Eastern Alps and It consists of nine federal states. Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria. Austria borders Germany to the northwest, the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia to the northeast, Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west. Austria has an area of ​​83,879 km2 (32,386 square miles) and a population of about 9 million. Austrian German is the official language of the country, but many Austrians communicate informally in various Bavarian dialects.

Austria initially emerged as a Margrave around 976 and developed into a Principality and a Grand Duchy. In the 16th century, Austria began to serve as the junior branch of the Habsburgs, the center of the Habsburg empire and one of the most influential dynasties in history. As a Grand Duchy, it was the main component and administrative center of the Holy Roman Empire. At the beginning of the 19th century, Austria established its own empire, became a major power of the German Confederation and took the initiative, but after being defeated in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, it had its own course independent of other German states. Pursued. In 1867, a compromise with Hungary established the Austrian and Hungarian dual monarchy.

Austria was involved in World War I under Emperor Franz Joseph after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, who is presumed to be the heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After the defeat and dissolution of the monarchy, the German-Austrian Republic was declared intended for a coalition with Germany, but the Allies did not support the new state, which remained unrecognized. In 1919 the First Republic became the legal successor to Austria. Austria-born Adolf Hitler, who became Prime Minister of the German Empire in 1938, achieved the annexation of Austria by Anschluss. After the defeat of Nazi Germany and the long-term occupation of the Allies in 1945, Austria was rebuilt as a ruler and autonomous democracy known as the Second Republic.

Austria is the representative democracy of the parliament, with the directly elected president being the head of state and the prime minister being the head of the federal government. Austria's major urban areas include Vienna, Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck. Austria is consistently ranked in the top 20 of the world's wealthiest countries in terms of GDP per capita. The country has achieved a high standard of living and was ranked 20th in the world in the Human Development Index in 2018. Vienna is consistently ranked at the top internationally for quality of life indicators.

The Second Republic declared permanent neutrality in foreign political affairs in 1955. Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 1955 and joined the European Union in 1995. He hosts the OSCE and OPEC and is a founding member of the OECD and OECD. Interpol. Austria also signed the Schengen Agreement in 1995 and adopted the euro currency in 1999.