Geography (Austria)
===================


     Total area:
         83,850 km2
     Land area:
         82,730 km2
     Comparative area:
         slightly smaller than Maine
     Land boundaries:
         2,591 km total; Czechoslovakia 548 km, Germany 784 km, Hungary 366 km, Italy
         430 km, Liechtenstein 37 km, Slovenia 262 km, Switzerland 164 km
     Coastline:
         none - landlocked
     Maritime claims:
         none - landlocked
     Disputes:
         none
     Climate:
         temperate; continental, cloudy; cold winters with frequent rain in lowlands
         and snow in mountains; cool summers with occasional showers
     Terrain:
         mostly mountains with Alps in west and south; mostly flat, with gentle
         slopes along eastern and northern margins
     Natural resources:
         iron ore, crude oil, timber, magnesite, aluminum, lead, coal, lignite,
         copper, hydropower
     Land use:
         arable land 17%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 24%; forest and
         woodland 39%; other 19%; includes irrigated NEGL%
     Environment:
         because of steep slopes, poor soils, and cold temperatures, population is
         concentrated on eastern lowlands
     Note:
         landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many
         easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube