Austrian Empire: Map & History
The Austrian Empire, officially known as the Empire of Austria, was a multinational European great power from 1804 to 1867, created by proclamation out of the realms of the Habsburgs.
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The Austrian Empire, officially known as the Empire of Austria, was a multinational European great power from 1804 to 1867, created by proclamation out of the realms of the Habsburgs. During its existence, it was the third most populous nation in Europe after the Russian Empire and the United Kingdom, while geographically, it was the third-largest empire in Europe after the Russian Empire and the First French Empire.
Modern Countries Once Part of Austrian Empire
At its mapped extent, Austrian Empire covered territory in 12 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Hungary1806–1867 CE · nearly all
- Czechia1806–1867 CE · nearly all
- Austria1806–1867 CE · nearly all
- Slovakia1806–1867 CE · nearly all
- Slovenia1806–1867 CE · nearly all
- Romania1806–1867 CE · most
- Croatia1806–1867 CE · most
- Serbia1806–1867 CE · a large part
- Italy1806–1867 CE · a large part
- Poland1806–1867 CE · a small part
- Ukraine1806–1867 CE · a small part
- Germany1864–1865 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Austrian Empire's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Austrian Empire in Depth
History
Changes shaping the nature of the Holy Roman Empire took place during conferences in Rastatt (1797–1799) and Regensburg (1801–1803). On 24 March 1803, the Imperial Recess (German: Reichsdeputationshauptschluss) was declared, which reduced the number of ecclesiastical states from 81 to only 3 and the free imperial cities from 51 to 6. This measure was aimed at replacing the old constitution of the Holy Roman Empire, but the actual consequence of the Imperial Recess, along with the French occupying the Electorate of Hanover in the same month and various Holy Roman states becoming allied with or against France, was the end of the empire.
Economy
The war drained the Austrian economy. The Austrian foreign trade was one-third of that of France and one-fifth of Great Britain based on 1823–37 numbers. Direct tax netto was 47,159,168 of which 37,599,496 were land-tax (1842).
Background
The background of the Austrian Empire is deeply rooted in the gradual rise and consolidation of the Habsburg monarchy, which developed over centuries as one of Europe's most powerful and enduring dynastic systems. The House of Habsburg began as relatively minor nobles in what is now Switzerland, but through a highly effective strategy of dynastic marriages, often summarized by the phrase "Bella gerunt alii, tu felix Austria nube" ("let others wage war; you, happy Austria, marry"), they expanded their influence across vast parts of Central Europe. By the 16th century, they controlled not only the Austrian hereditary lands but also territories such as Bohemia and Hungary, forming a loose but extensive composite monarchy.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Austrian Empire (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Austrian Empire: Key Facts
| Capital | Vienna |
|---|---|
| Official language | German |
| Religion | Catholic Church |
| Form of government | absolute monarchy |
| Currency | thaler |
| Founded | 11 August 1804 |
| Dissolved | 8 June 1867 |
Preceded by
- Habsburg monarchy
- Archduchy of Austria
- Kingdom of Bohemia
- Kingdom of Croatia
- Kingdom of Hungary
- Republic of Venice
Succeeded by
Facts from Wikidata Q131964 (CC0).
Austrian Empire Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Austrian Empire appears, with the other states of the time.
Austrian Empire Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 810,554 km² in 1856 CE.
Austrian Empire: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Austrian Empire exist?
The Austrian Empire is dated to 1806 CE – 1867 CE, in the Industrial era.
What was the capital of the Austrian Empire?
The capital of the Austrian Empire was Vienna.
How large was the Austrian Empire at its peak?
At its peak in 1856 the Austrian Empire covered about 810,554 km².
Other Sovereign Realms
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Industrial Era • Capital: London
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore, Delhi
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Raigad