(Banovina of Croatia)The Habsburg dynasty ruled as Emperor of Austria[2] over the western and northern half of the country that was the Empire of Austria (Cisleithania or Lands represented in the Reichsrat)[1] and as King of Hungary[2] over the Kingdom of Hungary (Transleithania or Lands of St Stephen's Crown)[1] which enjoyed self-government and representation in joint affairs (principally foreign relations and defence).[3]
The two capitals of the Monarchy were Vienna for Austria and Budapest for Hungary.[1] Austria–Hungary was geographically the second largest country in Europe after the Russian Empire (621&_160;538&_160;km², or 239,977 sq. m in 1905 [4]), and the third most populous (after Russia and the German Empire). Today, the territory it covered has a population of about 69 million.
As a multinational empire and great power in an era of national awakening, it found its political life dominated by disputes among the eleven principal national groups.
