The Austrian Empire was a multi-ethnic state in Central Europe that existed from 1804 to 1867. It emerged from the Holy Roman Empire and was ruled by the Habsburg dynasty. The empire included various territories, such as Austria, Hungary, and parts of Italy and Poland, reflecting a diverse population with different languages and cultures. In 1867, the empire transformed into the Austro-Hungarian Empire, granting greater autonomy to its Hungarian territories. This change aimed to address rising nationalist sentiments among various ethnic groups. The empire played a significant role in European politics until its dissolution after World War I in 1918.