The House of Habsburg was a prominent royal family in Europe, known for its influence from the late Middle Ages through the early 20th century. Originating in what is now Switzerland, the Habsburgs expanded their power through strategic marriages and territorial acquisitions, ruling over vast regions including the Holy Roman Empire, Austria, and Spain. The dynasty produced many notable rulers, including Charles V, who governed a vast empire, and Maria Theresa, the first female ruler of the Habsburg dominions. The family's legacy includes the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which lasted until the end of World War I in 1918.