Terrain
The west and south mostly mountains (Alps); along the eastern and northern margins mostly flat or gently sloping
Climate
Temperate; continental; cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain and some snow in lowlands and snow in mountains; moderate summers with occasional showers
People
Nationality: Austrian(s)
Population: 8,223,062 (July 2014 est.)
Languages: German (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 census)
Religions
Roman Catholic 73.6%, Protestant 4.7%, Muslim 4.2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 2%, none 12% (2001 census)
Economy
With its well-developed market economy, skilled labor force, and high standard of living, Austria is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's. Its economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector. Following years of solid foreign demand for Austrian exports and record employment growth, the international financial crisis of 2008 and subsequent global economic downturn led to a sharp but brief recession.
Living Conditions
After World War I (1914–18), the population shifted somewhat from the country to larger towns and cities. As a result, housing in rural or country areas remained plentiful and cheap. Most city-dwellers live in one or two-room flats (apartments) with a separate kitchen. Fewer than one-fourth of these city people live in homes with four or more rooms. Housing costs are relatively low; Austrians spend less on housing than on recreation.
Government
Federal republic
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