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The Federal Republic of Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It borders both Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west.

Austria is a largely mountainous country due to its location in the Alps. The total area of Austria is 32,000 sq. miles and the capital is Vienna. Most of the country lies in a cool and temperate climate zone. With an estimated 8.3 million people living in Austria, 90 percent speak German as their native language. Given its alpine mountainous terrain, passes and valleys, alpine skiing and winter sports are a popular leisure. Entry into Austria as a visitor is relatively easy, but attaining legal residency and citizenship require one to reside within the country for a long period of time.

Austria is one of the 10 richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita, has a well-developed social market economy, and a very high standard of living. Though previously nationalized, in recent years much privatization of Austria’s largest industry firms has occurred. In addition to the highly developed industry sector, international tourism is the most important part of the national economy.

Since it’s inclusion into the European Union in 1995, Austria has grown with the other European Union economies. Austria serves as a high investment profiled country drawing an influx of foreign investors attracted by Austria’s access to the European market and proximity to EU growing economies, especially in the banking and insurance sectors. It is also one of six European countries declaring permanent neutrality and one of the few countries that includes the concept of everlasting neutrality in its constitution.