Anhalt, a duchy of the German empire, situated on both banks of the Elbe and the Saale, and bounded by Prussian Saxony, Brandenburg, and Brunswick; area, 897 sq. m.; pop. in 1871, 203,354. It was formerly divided into four duchies, called Anhalt-Dessau, Anhalt-Bernburg, Anhalt-Zerbst, and Anhalt-Kothen, after the principal towns, but was in 1793 united into three, in 1853 into two, and finally in 1863 into one. The soil is mostly level and fertile, and here and there wooded and picturesque. It produces corn, flax, tobacco, hops, and fruits. There are iron, lead, and copper mines. The Anhalt family trace their lineage to Esico von Ballenstedt, who flourished in the 10th century. They have been generally of martial spirit, and in the history of Germany they have furnished various distinguished generals in the service of the emperors and of the kings of Prussia. From Anhalt-Zerbst came Catharine II., empress of Russia. The present duke, Frederick, born April 29, 1831, succeeded his father May 22, 1871. Capital, Dessau.