East Francia was a medieval kingdom that emerged in the 9th century as part of the division of the Carolingian Empire. It encompassed regions that are now part of modern-day Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The kingdom was characterized by a patchwork of duchies and principalities, each ruled by local leaders. In 962, Otto I was crowned Emperor of the Romans, marking the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire, which evolved from East Francia. The kingdom played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of Central Europe and laid the foundation for the future German nation.