Carinthia (province) - Definition and Overview

Carinthia (Slovenian Koroška) is an informal province in the north of Slovenia. It consists of the towns of Dravograd, Slovenj Gradec, Ravne, Črna, Mežica, Prevalje, Mislinja, Muta and Radlje.

Carinthia was historical region of Austria-Hungary and populated by ethnic German-Austrians and a significant number of Slovenians. The Carinthian Plebiscite on October 20, 1920, determined the lines of division between Austria and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. After the Plebiscite, Carinthia was divided between the two states with Austria receiving the larger section of the region.

With the break up of Yugoslavia in 1991 the Yugoslav section of Carinthia became a part of independent Slovenia. The area is often referred to as Slovenian Carinthia in English to distinguish it from the Austrian federal state of Carinthia.

History

Carinthia was settled by Slavic tribes around the 6th century. They formed a new people, called Karantanians and Carinthia became the central part of the duchy of Karantania, the first state of Old Slovenians and also the first stable Slavic state ever. Karantania lost autonomy in the early 9th century when it fell under Frankish power. Carinthia was later controlled by Austrian Habsburgs (1335 - 1918). After World War I military forces of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes occupied southern Carinthia. Those parts which are today Slovenian territory were annexed withouth referendum. However, in those regions where a referendum was hold (see Carinthian Plebiscite), popular vote determined that those parts should join the newly founded Republic of Austria.

See also

• Karantania, Carinthia, Austrian Carinthia.