Austria

Austria, located in Central Europe, has been a leading power in European history, particularly during the Habsburg dynasty, which ruled from the 1200s until the early 1900s. The Habsburgs were major players in European politics, with Austria serving as the heart of the Holy Roman Empire for centuries.

Following the Napoleonic Wars, Austria became a force in the Austrian Empire and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which dissolved after World War I. Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938 but regained independence after World War II, becoming a neutral state.

Today, Austria is a democratic republic known for its cultural contributions in music and the arts.