FACTS

Location: Central Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia

Area (only Total) total: 83,870 sq km

Climate: temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers

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

Population: 8,205,533 (July 2008 est.)

Main Language (only first): German

Government type: federal republic

Capital (Name): Vienna

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+1

Independence: 976 (Margravate of Austria established); 17 September 1156 (Duchy of Austria founded); 11 August 1804 (Austrian Empire proclaimed); 12 November 1918 (republic proclaimed)

National holiday: National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality