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Britannica Sources used in this answer

Where was the historic region of Prussia located in Europe?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Historical map showing the unification of Germany by Prussia in the late 19th century. The map highlights in green the Kingdom of Prussia as of 1866, and in yellow the additional territories that formed the German Empire by 1871-1918, encompassing most of north-central Europe. Neighboring countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Switzerland are labeled, with major regions and states within the empire clearly marked.
Prussia The unification of Germany by Prussia, which brought most of north-central Europe into one kingdom.

The historic region of Prussia was located in eastern and central Europe. Its geographical definition evolved significantly over time:1

  • Original Region: The land of the Prussians was situated on the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea, specifically in the forested territory between the lower Vistula and Neman rivers.1
  • Kingdom of Prussia: By the 18th and 19th centuries, the kingdom—ruled by the Hohenzollern dynasty from its capital in Berlin—expanded to include Brandenburg and vast territories across northern Germany and western Poland.1
  • Later Divisions: Following the 15th-century conflicts, the region was divided into areas such as Royal Prussia (under Polish sovereignty) and East Prussia, which remained a fief of the Polish crown. After World War II, the territory was partitioned, with northern East Prussia annexed by the Soviet Union and the remainder transferred to Poland or divided among Allied occupation zones.12