The Leitha (Hungarian: Lajta ; Czech: Litava ) is a Rivière of Central Europe. It is formed by the meeting of two torrents (the Schwarza and Pitten ). Between Ebenfürth and Leithaprodersdorf and between Bruck year der Leitha and Gattendorf, Leitha is used today as border between the Low-Austria and the Burgenland. Before 1921, it formed the border between the Austria and the Hungary.

Close to Nickelsdorf, the river penetrates in current the Hungary. It is thrown close to Mosonmagyaróvár in the Arm of Moson, an arm of the the Danube. The main cities sprinkled by Leitha are Bruck year der Leitha and Mosonmagyaróvár.

Several channels and drains are diverted of Leitha. These channels were formerly used to make turn of the spinning mill S; today, they feed from the hydroelectric installations. Between Seibersdorf and Hof amndt Leithaberge, most of water of Leitha are diverted to this end. So the river runs really only during its high waters. The bed of the river is almost always dry downstream from Katzelsdorf.

Historical importance

The names of Lajtabánság, Cisleithanie and Transleithanie come all from that of Leitha. The Austria-Hungary was created in 1867 and Leitha was then used to delimit the Austria Royaume of Hungary. The Viennois called Transleithanie (" beyond Leitha") the Hungary while they used Cisleithanie (" on this side of Leitha") for the Austria. These names reflettent the Austrian visions and Vienneses of the Empire, Vienna being on this side while the Hungary was on this side. Thus, the Galicie and the Bucovine belonged to the Cisleithanie although they are located well at the east of the Hungary. In the north of Leitha, the Morava then formed the continuation of the border by separating the Austrian Moravie from the Hungary (of the Slovakia today).

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