The Illyrian Provinces were territories established by the French Empire in the early 19th century, specifically from 1809 to 1814. They included parts of modern-day Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The provinces were created after the defeat of the Austrian Empire and were intended to serve as a buffer zone against Austria. The administration of the Illyrian Provinces aimed to promote French culture and governance in the region. The provinces were divided into several administrative units, with Zagreb as a significant center. However, the provinces were short-lived, dissolving after the fall of Napoleon in 1814.