The Republic of Austria is a landlocked country in Europe bordered by the Czech Republic , Germany , Hungary , Italy , Liechtenstein , the Slovak Republic , Slovenia and Switzerland .

Austria is divided into the provinces of Burgenland, Carinthia , Lower Austria , Salzburg , Styria, Tyrol , Upper Austria , Vorarlberg and Vienna . Vienna is the capital city.

Austria is very mountainous; the Alps run through the country. The main river is the Danube , Europe 's second longest river.

Austria has a temperate climate with cold winters and cool summers.

A large percentage of Austria 's landscape is covered with forests and woodland. Meadows and farmland also account for much of Austria 's land use.

Austria has a number of buildings of interest to students of history and architecture. Cities such as Graz , Salzburg and Vienna prospered during the centuries of Habsburg rule and their architectural splendour reflects the power of the Habsburg (Hapsburg) family.

German is Austria 's official language nationwide. Slovene is the official language in Carinthia and Croatian and Hungarian are official languages in Burgenland.

The German name for Austria is Osterreich which means " Eastern Empire ". This refers to the time when Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire .

Fast-flowing Austrian rivers, fed by glaciers, are used to produce hydroelectric power.

Austria 's largest natural lake is Lake Neusiedler .

Austria lies at the heart of Europe , and has historically been an important commercial and cultural crossroads.

Austria 's natural beauty and outstanding cultural variety make it a favoured tourist destination. Austria 's contribution to the world's musical heritage is second to none, and music-lovers can enjoy a wide range of festivals and concerts, from classical to avant-garde. Museums, castles, monuments, galleries - Austria 's cities and towns offer a wealth of opportunities to explore. In 2003, Graz , Austria 's second largest city, is the Cultural Capital of Europe - and besides featuring a packed programme of events, has launched new sites such as the Mur Island - an island made of glass and steel - and the Kunsthaus exhibition hall.