
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.
This neutrality, once ingrained as part of the Austrian cultural
identity, has been called into question since the Soviet collapse
of 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995. A
prosperous country, Austria entered the European Monetary Union
in 1999. . LOCATION:
Central Europe, north of Italy
and Slovenia LOCATION: Temperate;
continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands
and snow in mountains;
cool summers with occasional showers BORDERS:
Czech Republic 362 km, Germany
784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy 430 km, Liechtenstein 35 km, Slovakia
91 km, Slovenia 330 km, Switzerland 164 km Lying
right in the heart of Europe, Austria occupies an area of 83,854
square kilometres and is home
to 8.1 million people. The Alps make up the southern and western
parts of the country and peak at the Grossglockner’s 3797-metre
summit. The powerful Habsburg family ruled Austria from 1278 right
up until World War I. Under this mighty dynasty Austria became
one of the most dominant political forces in central Europe. The
hills of Austria are genuinely alive with the sound of music. The
country attracted countless European composers in the 18th and
19th centuries because of the generous patronage offered by the
Hapsburgs. Beethoven, Brahms, Hayden, Mozart, Schubert and the
Strausses all came to Austria at some stage in their careers. Today,
this rich musical heritage lives on in the form of the Vienna Philharmonic,
the unrivalled Vienna Boys’ Choir, the Musikverein and the
Konzerthaus.