Austria

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History: Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I. Following annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938 and 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

Geographic Coordinates: 47 20 N, 13 20 E

Map References: Europe


Land Boundaries: 2,562 km

Border Countries: 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

Climate: Temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers

Terrain: In the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping

Natural Resources: iron ore, oil, timber, magnetite, lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower

Natural Hazards: landslides; avalanches; earthquakes

Population: 8,188,207 (July 2003 est.)

Bibliography

http://www.molon.de/galleries/Austria/Austria.htm Austria Photo Gallery June 22, 2003

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/europe/austria/ Austria Travel March 31, 2004

http://www.aboutaustria.org/personalities/personalities.htm Austria Celebrities March 31, 2004

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Created By: Dianna and Rachel
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