A republic in South Central Europe since 1918, Austria, which was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1938, regained full sovereignty in 1955. Austria is a federal state of nine provinces. Over 65 per cent of the country is mountainous. The Danube is the main rever.Forestes cover about 40 per cent of the land, a greater proportion than in any other European country, apart from Sweden and Finland.The highest mountain is the Grossglockner(12,465').

Economy depends mainly on mining,manufacturing,trade and services.Mian agricultural products: livestock,forest products,grains,sugar beets,potatoes.

Austria is rich in mineral and energy resources, and both mining and energy production are nationalized industries. Thecountry is the world's largest producer of magnesite,used in the chemical industry.Other materials mined include iron ore, lignite(brown coal), graphite, salt, quartz and clay. Austria is the world's fifth largest exporter of coniferous sawn timber. Austrian capital houses UN organisations like UNIDO and IAEA and international bodies like OPEC. Tourism is highly developed. Services account for the largest share(60%) of GDP. Austria joined the EU in Jan,1995.

Austria Mission In India: Embassy of Austria, EP-13, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110 021, Tel: 26889050 , Fax: 26886929,E-mail : new-delhi-ob@bmaa.gv.at

Indian Mission In Austria: Embassy of India and Permanent Mission of India to the UN Offices in Vienna, kaerntnerring2, A-1015 Vienna, Austria. Phone : 00-43-1-5850795, Fax: 00-43-1-5059219 , E-mail : indemb@eoivien.vienna.at, URL: www.indiaembassy.at