Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It has a long and rich history, having been part of the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the German Confederation.
The area that is now Austria was first settled by Celtic tribes in the 4th century BC. In 15 BC, the Romans conquered the region and it became part of the Roman Empire. During the Middle Ages, the area was part of the Holy Roman Empire, and in 1278, it became an independent duchy.
In 1804, the Austrian Empire was established, and it became one of the most powerful countries in Europe. In 1867, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed, and it lasted until the end of World War I in 1918. After the war, Austria became a republic and joined the League of Nations.
During World War II, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany and was part of the Third Reich until 1945. After the war, Austria was occupied by the Allied forces and declared its neutrality in 1955. In 1995, Austria joined the European Union. Today, Austria is a prosperous and stable country with a strong economy.