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Austria Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Austria?

Geography - note

Landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; the major river is the Danube; the population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere

Climate

Temperature extremes in Vienna vary between summer highs of 95°F and - 4°F in winter. October may be damp and rainy, and light snowfalls occur in November and December. Snow, sometimes heavy, and frost can occur from January until mid-March. April, May, and early June offer pleasant spring weather, and summers are often delightful.

Vienna sometimes becomes uncomfortably hot in July and August, especially in the city's center, but the suburbs, particularly those which are elevated, are pleasant. The city is subject to rapid and marked changes in atmospheric pressures with accompanying winds. One such wind, the foehn, carries warm air from the south. It has a special meaning for the Viennese since many people blame it for peculiar human behavior. The average annual precipitation in Vienna is 21.02 inches.

The mountainous regions have long, cold winters with heavy snowfall and bright, crisp days. The Danube Basin usually has less snow, is damper, and therefore has more gray and overcast days than the higher altitudes.

Austria Use of Natural Resources

Austria Environment

Climate:

Temperature extremes in Vienna vary between summer highs of 95°F and - 4°F in winter. October may be damp and rainy, and light snowfalls occur in November and December. Snow, sometimes heavy, and frost can occur from January until mid-March. April, May, and early June offer pleasant spring weather, and summers are often delightful.

Vienna sometimes becomes uncomfortably hot in July and August, especially in the city's center, but the suburbs, particularly those which are elevated, are pleasant. The city is subject to rapid and marked changes in atmospheric pressures with accompanying winds. One such wind, the foehn, carries warm air from the south. It has a special meaning for the Viennese since many people blame it for peculiar human behavior. The average annual precipitation in Vienna is 21.02 inches.

The mountainous regions have long, cold winters with heavy snowfall and bright, crisp days. The Danube Basin usually has less snow, is damper, and therefore has more gray and overcast days than the higher altitudes.

Terrain:

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

Natural Resources:

Oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower

Natural Hazards:

Landslides; avalanches; earthquakes

Irrigated Land:

452 Square Miles
1,170 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

Some forest degradation is caused by air and soil pollution; soil pollution results from the use of agricultural chemicals; air pollution results from emissions by coal- and oil-fired power stations and industrial plants and from trucks transiting Austria between northern and southern Europe

Environment - International Agreements:

Party To: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Austria Geography

Geographic Location Europe
Total Area 32,383 Square Miles
83,871 Square Kilometers
Land Area 31,832 Square Miles
82,445 Square Kilometers
Water Area 551 Square Miles
1,426 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries 1,592 Miles
2,562 Kilometers
Irrigated Land 452 Square Miles
1,170 Square Kilometers
Border Countries The 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
Geographic Coordinates 47 20 N, 13 20 E
Terrain In the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
Highest Point 3,798 Meters
Highest Point Location Grossglockner 3,798 m
Lowest Point 115 Meters
Lowest Point Location Neusiedler See (Lake Neusiedl) 115 m
Natural Resources Oil, coal, lignite, timber, iron ore, copper, zinc, antimony, magnesite, tungsten, graphite, salt, hydropower
Time Zone UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
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