Located in the middle of Europe, Austria is no longer dominant political force it once was under the Hapsburg dynasty, having been reduced to a small republic after defeat in World War I. Austria remains strategically important as it sits on the key Danube trade route and acts as a bridge between East and West. After annexation by Germany in 1938 and the Allied occupation, Austria's 1955 State Treaty declared the country "permanently neutral". The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 and Austria's entry into the European Union in 1995 have altered the meaning of this neutrality. A prosperous, democratic and stable country, in the past decade Austria has become home to many immigrants seeking a better quality of life. 

Austria was invited to take part in the first Eurovision Song Contest, but missed the deadline for submitting an entry. The Austrians made their debut a year later finishing last. Austria achieved its only Eurovision win in 1966 when Udo Jürgens sang his own song "Merci Cherie" to victory. This is the only time that Austria has finished in the Top 3 in the competition. The Austrians have sent many novelty entries to Eurovision, but through the years they have taken several breaks from the competition and chose not to compete in Athens in 2006, returning in 2007 and failing to make the final.

Official name: Republic of Austria

Total area: 83,871 km².

Population: 8.1 million (UN, 2005)

Capital: Vienna

Major language: German

Major religion: Christianity

Life expectancy: 79 years 

Monetary unit: 1 Euro = 100 cents

GNI per capita: US $36,980 (World Bank, 2006)

Human Development Index ranking: 14th

Internet domain: .at

International dialling code: +43

1956: Did not enter

1957: "Wohin, Kleines Pony?" - Bob Martin (10th)
1958: "Die Ganze Welt Braucht Liebe" - Liane Augustin (5th)
1959: "Der k. u. k. Kalypso Aus Wien" - Ferry Graf (9th)
1960: "Du Hast Mich So Fasziniert" - Harry Winter (7th)
1961: "Sehnsucht" - Jimmy Makulis (15th)
1962: "Nur In Der Wiener" - Luft Eleonore Schwarz (13th)
1963: "Vielleicht Geschieht Ein Wunder" - Carmela Corren (7th)
1964: "Warum Nur, Warum?" - Udo Jürgens (6th)
1965: "Sag Ihr, Ich Lass' Sie Grüßen" - Udo Jürgens (4th)
1966: "Mercie Chérie" - Udo Jürgens (1st) 
1967: "Warum Es Hunderttausend Sterne" - Peter Horten (14th)
1968: "Tausend Fenster" - Karel Gott (13th)

1969-1970: Did not enter
1971: "Musik" - Marianne Mendt (16th)
1972: "Falter Im Wind" - Milestones (5th)

1973-1975: Did not enter
1976: "My Little World" - Waterloo & Robinson (5th)
1977: "Boom Boom Boomerang" - Schmetterlinge (17th)
1978: "Mrs. Caroline Robinson" - Springtime (15th)
1979: "Heute in Jerusalem" - Christina Simon (18th)
1980: "Du Bist Musik" - Blue Danube (8th)
1981: "Wenn Du Da Bist" Marty Brem (17th)
1982: "Sonntag" - Mess (9th)
1983: "Hurricane" - Westend (9th)
1984: "Einfach Weg" - Anita (19th)
1985: "Kinder Dieser Welt" - Gary Lux (8th)
1986: "Die Zeit Ist Einsam" - Timna Brauer (18th)
1987: "Nur Noch Gefühl" - Gary Lux (20th)
1988: "Lisa, Mona Lisa" - Wilfried (21st)
1989: "Nur Ein Lied" - Thomas Forstner (5th)
1990: "Keine Mauern Mehr" - Simone (10th)
1991: "Venedig Im Regen" - Thomas Forstner (22nd)
1992: "Zusammen Geh'n" - Tony Wegas (10th)
1993: "Maria Magdalena" - Tony Wegas (14th)
1994: "Für Den Frieden Der Welt" - Petra Frey (17th)
1995: "Die Welt Dreht Sich Verkehrt" - Stella Jones (13th)
1996: "Weil's Der Guat Got" - George Nussbaumer (10th)
1997: "One Step" - Bettina Soriat (21st)

1998: Relegated
1999: "Reflection" - Bobbie Singer (10th)
2000: "All To You" - The Rounder Girls (14th)

2001: Relegated
2002: "Say A Word" - Manuel Ortega (18th)
2003: "Weil Der Mensch Zählt" - Alf Poier (6th)
2004: "Du Bist" - Tie-Break (21st)
2005: "Así" - Global.Kryner (21st in Semi-final)
2006:  Did not compete

2007:  "Get A Life - Get Alive" - Eric Papilaya (27th in Semi-final)

 

Liane Augustin in 1958. 

Udo Jurgens winning in 1966.

The Milestones in 1972. 

Waterloo & Robinson in 1976. 

Thomas Forstner in 1989.