lAutriche

The Republic of Austria, commonly called Austria, is a landlocked nation in Central Europe. The French name l'Autriche is used in Francophone contexts. Its capital and largest city is Vienna. The official language is German. About 9 million people live in roughly 83,800 square kilometers. Austria is a federal parliamentary republic; the President is the ceremonial head of state, and the Chancellor is the head of government. It uses the euro and joined the EU in 1995; neutrality has prevailed since 1955.

Geographically, Austria is dominated by the Alps in the west and south, with eastern plains along the Danube. It borders eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Major rivers include the Danube, Inn, and Enns. Climate ranges from alpine to continental.

Historically, Austria was the core of the Habsburg Monarchy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I it became a republic. In 1938 it was annexed by Nazi Germany. Postwar occupation ended in 1955 with neutrality. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.

Economically, Austria is a high-income, export-oriented economy with a strong services sector and tourism. Key industries include machinery, vehicles and parts, chemicals, and electronics. Tourism concentrates in the Alpine regions and cultural cities. The country emphasizes renewable energy, especially hydropower, and maintains a high standard of living.

Culturally, Austria is renowned for its musical heritage, particularly in Vienna with composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Strauss. It hosts numerous museums and opera houses, and its historic center and Schönbrunn Palace are UNESCO sites. Austrian cuisine features dishes like Wiener schnitzel and apfelstrudel.