
Austria
Austria is a largely mountainous country due to its location at the eastern end of the Alps. This mountain range dominates the western and southern parts of Austria while the country’s lower-lying eastern provinces are in the Danube basin.
The most important sectors of Austria’s economy in 2014 were wholesale and retail trade, transport, accommodation and food services (22.8 %), industry (22.1 %) and public administration, defence, education, human health and social work activities (17.7 %).
Austria’s main export partners are Germany, Italy and the US, while its main import partners are Germany, Italy and Switzerland.
Capital:
Vienna
Geographical size:
83 879 km²
Population:
8 576 261 (2015)
Population as % of total EU:
1.7 % (2015)
Gross domestic product (GDP):
€ 337.162 billion (2015)
Official EU language(s):
German
Political system:
federal parliamentary republic
EU member country since:
1 January 1995
Seats in the European Parliament:
18
Currency:
Euro. Member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999
Schengen area member?
Yes, Schengen Area member since 1 December 2007.
Presidency of the Council:
Austria has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU twice: in 1998 and 2006. The next time will be in 2019.