LocationCentral Europe, north of Italy and Slovenia Geographic coordinates47 20 N, 13 20 E Map referencesEurope Areatotal:83,858 sq km Area - comparativeslightly smaller than Maine Land boundariestotal:2,562 km Coastline0 km (landlocked) Maritime claimsnone (landlocked) Climatetemperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers Terrainin the west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping Elevation extremeslowest point:Neusiedler See 115 m Natural resourcesiron ore, oil, timber, magnesite, lead, coal, lignite, copper, hydropower Land usearable land:17% Irrigated land40 sq km (1993 est.) Natural hazardsNA Environment - current issuessome forest degradation 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 agreementsparty to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Geography - notelandlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere |
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Source: CIA World Factbook | |