The Province of East Prussia refers to a historical region located in northeastern Europe. It was a territorial division of the German Empire from 1878 until the end of World War II in 1945. East Prussia bordered Russia's Kaliningrad Oblast to the east, Lithuania to the south, and the Baltic Sea to the north.
This province, also known as Ostpreußen in German, covered an area of approximately 36,993 square kilometers and was home to a diverse population, including Germans, Poles, Lithuanians, and Russians. The region's capital was Königsberg (now Kaliningrad), a significant cultural and political center.
Before the end of World War II, East Prussia experienced profound changes. Following the war, the province was divided between Soviet Russia and Poland. The Soviet Union incorporated the majority of the territory into the Kaliningrad Oblast, while Poland received a smaller portion. Consequently, the province of East Prussia, as a distinct political entity, ceased to exist.
Today, the region formerly known as East Prussia holds historical significance and is a topic of interest and research among scholars, historians, and individuals interested in the history of Germany, Poland, and Russia. The remnants of East Prussia can be observed in the cultural, architectural, and linguistic influences within the current Kaliningrad Oblast and its surrounding areas.
