Duchy of Anhalt

Duchy of Anhalt
Herzogtum Anhalt
1863–1918
Flag of Anhalt
Flag
Coat of arms of Anhalt
Coat of arms
The Duchy of Anhalt within the German Empire
The Duchy of Anhalt within the German Empire
Map of the Duchy of Anhalt (1863-1918)
Map of the Duchy of Anhalt (1863-1918)
Status
CapitalDessau (when united)
Common languagesGerman, Low German
Religion
Evangelical Church of Anhalt
GovernmentDuchy
Duke 
• 1863–1871
Leopold IV (first)
• 1918
Joachim Ernst (last)
Historical eraMiddle Ages
• Counties3 raised to duchies
1806
• Köthen and Bernburg lines extinct; duchies united under Dessau line
1863
• German Revolution
1918
Area
• Total
3,800 km2 (1,500 sq mi)
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Principality of Anhalt
Anhalt-Bernburg
Anhalt-Köthen
Free State of Anhalt
Today part ofGermany
  1. 13th century partition into Anhalt-Aschersleben, Anhalt-Bernburg and Anhalt-Zerbst.
  2. 17th century partition into Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Dessau, Anhalt-Köthen, Anhalt-Plötzkau and Anhalt-Zerbst.
  3. The three counties raised to duchies by Napoleon in 1806 were Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Dessau and Anhalt-Köthen.

The Duchy of Anhalt (German: Herzogtum Anhalt) was a historical German duchy. The duchy was located between the Harz Mountains in the west and the River Elbe and beyond to the Fläming Heath in the east. The territory was once ruled by the House of Ascania, and is now part of the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt.