Austria is located in southern Central Europe. Geographically, its territory encompasses both the Eastern Alps (which cover some two thirds of its surface area) and the Danube Region. Austria has a land surface of 83,858 square kilometres (32,369 square miles). Given its location, it has since time immemorial been a cross-roads of travel routes between the major European economic and cultural regions. Austria has common borders with eight other countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Austria is a federal state consisting of nine independent federal states: Burgenland, Carinthia, Lower Austria, Salzburg, Styria, Tyrol, Upper Austria, Vienna and Vorarlberg.
Climate
This European heartland combines a wide variety of landscapes, climatic conditions and flora. Austria´s landscapes range from the peaks of the Alps to hill country and plains. The foothills of the Alps and the Carpathians, the Vienna Basin and the Austrian segment of the Pannonian Plain in the East are the principal areas of settlement and economic activity. Austria´s highest mountain is the Grossglockner (3,797 metres / 12,530 feet). Its longest river is the Danube, which flows through Austria for a length of some 350 kilometres (220 miles).
Austria is located within a temperate climatic zone. In the west and northwest the influence of the temperate Atlantic climate is felt more strongly, in the east the influence of the continental climate. Precipitation levels vary significantly along a west-east axis and rise with altitude. The diversity of topographical and climatic conditions accounts for the country´s abundant flora and fauna. Austria is one of Europe´s most heavily wooded countries (47% of its surface area).
Population
The Austrian population totals 8.032,926 according to the census of 2001, some 98% of whom are German-speaking. The six ethnic groups officially recognised in Austria are concentrated on the east and south of the country. Burgenland is home to Croats and Hungarians, many of whom have migrated to Vienna. Slovenes are found in the Gail, Rosen and Jaun valleys of southern Carinthia and in some villages in the southern part of Styria. Many Czechs and Slovaks live in Vienna and in Lower Austria, particularly in the Marchfeld and Tullnerfeld regions. Romany and Sinti, who were recognized as ethnic groups in 1993, live above all in Burgenland and to some extent in Vienna.
The Ethnic Groups Act of 1976 only recognizes indigenous ("autochthonous") ethnic groups, which term applies to those who have lived in Austria for at least three generations and who are Austrian citizens.
The mean life expectancy (for a new-born of 2001) stands at 81.7 years for females and at 75.9 years for males.
Religion
According to the census of 2001 73.6% of the population is Roman Catholic, a further 4.7% Protestant (mainly Augsburg Confession). The number of muslims has increased to 4.2%, due to immigration in the past decade. Some 3.5% of the population belong to another faith, 12 % are non-denominational, and 3.5% provided no information.
The following rights are guaranteed by the State to the legally recognized churches and religious communities:
*Public worship.
*Right (legal protection of "designations," entitlement to exclusive pastoral responsibility for their members).
*Status as public law corporations.
*Autonomous organization and administration of their "internal" affairs.
*Protection of their institutions, foundations and funds against secularization.
*The right to found confessional private schools.
*Entitlement to religious instructions in public schools.
*According to Austrian law ("law on the religious education of children"), every young person over the age of fourteen can freely choose his or her religion.
Religious education in Austrian schools is not restricted to the Roman Catholic confession: children belonging to smaller churches and religious communities receive religions education in their own confession. Their teachers are paid by the State.
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