Austria

Austria, officially the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. As the majority of its population speaks Germen, historically, Austria had been closely linked to Germany.

In 18 Century, Austria was one of powerful country in Europe. Its peak was Austrian dominated Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed at the end of WWI due to its defeat.

On 12 March 1938 German troops occupied the country and Hitler proclaimed its Anschluss with Germany, annexing it to the Third Reich, Austria thus ceased to exist.

After the WWII, Austria, as with Germany, was also divided into a British, a French, a Soviet and an American Zone. However, Austria was treated slightly different than Germany. It was treated as though, originally, it had been invaded by Germany.

On 15 May 1955, Austria regained its independence by concluding the Austrian State Treaty with the Four Occupying Powers and was declared by the Federal Parliament to be neutral.