Carinthia (German Kärnten) was a duchy of the Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806, and a crownland of Austria-Hungary until it dissolved in 1918.
In the 7th century it was part of the Principality of Karantania (Koroshka), and was part of the empire of Charlemagne from 788 to 843, when it became part of the eastern Frankish kingdom of Louis the German. From 889 to 927 the Mark of Carinthia was part of the duke of Bavaria's territories before passing to the Holy Roman Empire. It was part of the Habsburg crown lands until the 20th century.
Following the end of the First World War and the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, the Carinthian Plebiscite was held on October 10, 1920 to determine the fate of Carinthia. The province was subsequently divided into a larger part that became part of Austria, while a smaller part became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, today in Slovenia.
Carinthia (Kärnten) is now a federal state of Austria, while Carinthia (Koroška) is an informal province in Slovenia.
The Canal Valley in Italy around Tarvisio also belonged to this duchy.
Dukes of Carinthia
See also: Carinthia, Karantania, Karantanians
