Eastern Europe

1. Click for video Eastern Europe

2. GENERAL FACTS • Most of east Europe has been undergoing a political and cultural renaissance since the 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall. • After decades of Soviet dominance, the region is recovering from the collapse of an inefficient economy and the resulting environmental damage, including the accident at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986. • Internal struggles, such as those in the former Yugoslavia and Cyprus, continue. Yet today, as tourism grows and more nations in east Europe join the European Union, there is great hope the region will flourish and prosper. • SOURCE • http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/places/regions/region_easteurope.html

3. The Baltic Republics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) • All 3 of these countries gained their independence in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed • All 3 countries have moved to a free market economy • Climate includes short summers and cold, snowy winters • All still have some Russian influences

4. Estonia • Speak Estonian which is similar to Finnish. Must pass the Estonian language test to become an Estonian citizen • Not well suited for agriculture; food processing is largest manufacturing industry • Just over ¼ of population claim any religious affiliation • Combined parliamentary and presidential government • Member of U.N., E.U., and N.A.T.O. Tallinn's Toompea (Cathedral) Hill offers great views of the city, including the Old Town and the city's port. From this vantage point, the old and new architecture of the city are seen side by side. Medieval castle turrets and Renaissance church steeples contrast with modern skyscrapers in Estonia's capital city. Tallinn's Port, visible in the distance, connects the country with Finland, Sweden, and other countries on the Baltic Sea. (Tallinn, Estonia, April 2008) Dancers wearing traditional Estonian costumes participate in a national song and dance competition. Many young people in Estonia remain close to their heritage by participating in traditional song and dance. The celebration pictured focuses on the influence of arts on the country's history. (Tallinn, Estonia, February 2004)

5. Lithuania • Speak Lithuanian • Mostly Roman Catholic • Largest and most populous of Baltic Republics • Fertile Soil and milder climate leads to planting potatoes, grains, and sugar beets • Member of E.U and N.A.T.O Romanov church in Vilnius Dusk falls on the streets of Vilnius and the city's Athens-inspired cathedral. The cathedral complex artfully blends the Classical, Baroque and Gothic architectural styles.

6. Latvia • Speak Latvian which is related to Lithuanian, however many speak only Russian • ½ of the country does not identify with a religion due to oppression during Soviet rule • Have a president and prime minister • Location makes is a strong trading center Young Latvians love to participate in a wide array of sports, one of which is skateboarding. Nearly every town has a skate park where enthusiasts can hone their skills. Because entrance is free, these parks also serve as a place for young people to meet each other. (Rīga, Latvia, May 2005) Windsurfing, kiteboarding, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and other extreme sports are very popular in Latvia. Featured here is a windsurfing competition held at Babites Ezers, a Latvian lake. (Babites Ezers, Latvia, January 2006) A musician plays a dūdas (bagpipe), a popular folk instrument. There are many performing troupes who specialize in traditional Latvian music, singing, and dancing. (Lake Pīļu, Latvia, June 2008)

7. Hungary • Landlocked country with the Great Hungarian Plain in the east and the Carpathian Mountains in the north • Has rich soil and many natural resources • Goulash is a popular dish (A stew of meat, veggies, and spices) • After many years of Communist Rule, today Hungary has a free market economy • About 90 percent of Hungary’s 10 million people are descended from the Magyars. (nomads who came to area from Central Asia about 1000 years ago.) • Almost all speak the Hungarian language. • In 1867 partnered with Austria to form empire. Defeated in WWI and split from Austria. Budapest’s Chain Bridge Festival, first organized in 1999 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Chain Bridge, draws pedestrians, musicians, and street vendors. Featured here is a vendor selling typical Hungarian food: goulash and spicy salad. Hungarian food is often spicy and contains ingredients such as black pepper, paprika, and onions. (Budapest, Hungary, June 2006)

8. The Jewish Cemetery in Prague is a sobering reminder of anti-Semitic attitudes in the mid-twentieth century. Because the Jewish people were only allowed a small piece of land in which to bury their dead, some plots are up to twelve graves deep. (Prague, Czech Republic, July 2006)

9. The Balkan Countries(Romania, Bulgaria, Albania)

10. Ukraine • Brutal Soviet rule engineered two artificial famines (1921-22 and 1932-33) in which over 8 million died. • Final independence for Ukraine was achieved in 1991 with the dissolution of the USSR, democracy remained elusive as the legacy of state control and endemic corruption stalled efforts at economic reform, privatization, and civil liberties. • political crisis in the spring of 2007; New prime minister in December 2007. • mostly fertile plains (steppes) and plateaus, mountains only in the west (the Carpathians), and in extreme south • temperate continental climate; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; • Ukrainian Orthodox - Kyiv Patriarchate 50.4% Ukrainian language w/ 67% • Disaster struck the republic in 1986 with the meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Chernobyl; affected much of eastern Europe. Click photo for video

12. Moldova • It consists of hilly grassland drained by the Prut and Dniester Rivers, and the economy is mainly agricultural. • Most of Moldova was part of Romania before World War II, and Soviets annexed Moldova in 1940, and Russians and Ukrainians settled in region east of the Dniester (known as Transdniestria). • After Moldova gained independence in 1991, Transdniestria seceded, making Tiraspol its capital. Moldovans do not recognize this secession • One of the poorest nations in Europe, Moldova became the first former Soviet state to elect a Communist as its president in 2001. • Eastern Orthodox 98%, Jewish 1.5%, Baptist and other 0.5% (2000) • Languages: Moldovan (official, virtually the same as the Romanian language), two-thirds of Moldovans speak Romanian. Built in 1830, Moldova’s stunning All Saints Church sits in Armenian Cemetery in the country’s capital city, Chisinau. Photograph by Dan Herrick/Lonely Planet Images

13. Former Yugoslav Republics • In the 1990s, Yugoslavia broke apart. The nations formed out of the former Yugoslavia are Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, and Macedonia.

14. Bosnia and Herzegovina • More than 500,000 land mines left over from war (1992–95) • Hot summers and cold winters; mountain areas cooler and the coast tends to be milder. • Bosnia’s three major ethnic groups tend to be divided along religious lines. The Croats are generally Roman Catholic, the Serbs are Eastern Orthodox, and the Bosniacs are Muslim. • Bosnia’s government has a three-person presidency with a member from each of the three main ethnic groups. • Every eight months, a different member of the presidency becomes the head of state, or leader of the country. The prime minister is responsible for leading the government. • Former Yugoslavian president Slobodan Milosevic is charged with genocide and crimes against humanity. Pictured here is a now innocuous but grim reminder of the Serbian siege on Sarajevo: a Serb helicopter since vandalized by local Bosnians. Such relics from the atrocities can still be found throughout the Bosnian capital. (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, July 2006) Click picture for video

15. Croatia • The modern necktie comes from 18th-century uniforms worn by Croatian soldiers. • When Croatians give flowers to someone, the flowers are always given in odd numbers. • Croatia is situated on the Balkan Peninsula. Low mountains, plains, and islands make up Croatia’s landscape. The coast has a Mediterranean climate • Croatian is the country’s official language English and Latin are required in schools. It’s also common for Croatians to learn German or Italian. • 1990- Yugoslavia’s federation collapses; 1991 Croatia declares independence • 1992–95 Croatia fights Yugoslavia in the Balkan War • Croatia is a democratic country • The new government is working hard to bring tourists and companies back to Croatia • 88 percent of Croatians are Roman Catholic A local fruit market comes to life under a surprise summer downpour in Dubrovnik. Vibrant markets like this one are a common scene in town squares in the city. (Dubrovnik, Croatia, July 2006)

16. Slovenia • Diverse climates, from alpine to continental to Mediterranean. Dynamic geographic formations include limestone caves (around six thousand), thermal springs, sinkholes, natural bridges, waterfalls, and springs. • Slovenia has worked diligently to create a strong market economy through privatizing state-run industries, attracting foreign investment, and promoting international trade. The economy has grown steadily. • 57.8 percent of Slovenes are Roman Catholic. • Slovenia is a democratic republic.

17. Serbia • Landlocked, However, several major rivers flow through the country. The Danubian plain has fertile agricultural land. Mountains in the sw and east. The climate is central continental. • Kosovo broke away in February of 2008: Serbia does not recognize their independence • Republic divided into 29 districts • Many live in poverty; Unemployment and inflation are high; Slow reform, corruption, lack of privatization, an expanding trade gap, and a “brain drain” of skilled-labor emigrants are hindering progress.