Eastern Europe

The Powder Keg

How Has It Changed

Czechoslovakia is dividedYugoslavia is broken upAustria-Hungary are separate countries

Poland

Physical featuresNorthern European Plains (most of the country)Carpathian Mountains (in the south)

Human characteristicsStrong attachment to landRoman Catholic

Poland

PeoplePoland used to have large Jewish populationGermans fled Poland when the border expanded after

WWII Government/Economy

Communist government supported by USSR after WWIIStarted a democracy in the early 90s when the USSR

collapsed Human Environment Interaction

Many people farm in the plains in the northMining in the southern mountains

Hungary

Hungary is the descendents of MagyarsHungary used to be communist

Communist from 1945-1989When USSR started to lose control Hungary

changed to democracy

EconomicsCalled the Breadbasket of Europe because it

produces most of Europe's agricultural productsIn the west they mine for coal and iron ore

Czech and Slovak Republics

Used to be CzechoslovakiaCommunist from 1945-1989Velvet Revolution

No bloodshed (peaceful)Separated into two countries

Czech RepublicSlovakia

Economy of both countries is struggling

Czech Republic

Mostly mountainousMining in the west

Coal, iron ore, copper, lead and quartzSteel industries in the eastLittle to no agricultureLots of pollution

Water pollution56% of their forests are destroyed by acid rain

Slovakia

Danube plains in the south they farmFruits, vegetables and grains

North they grow oats and potatoesIndustry emerged under communism but is

now struggling

Balkan Peninsula

CountriesSloveniaRomaniaBulgariaAlbania

CountriesMacedoniaCroatiaSerbiaBosnia-Herzegovina

Balkan Physical Features

Balkan Mountains in the southDinaric Alps in south westTransylvanian Alps and Carpathian

Mountains in the north eastDanube River surrounded by Danube plains

going through the middle

Balkan Human Characteristics

All are descendants of the SlavsSerbs – Orthodox in religion – speak Serbo-

Croatian – write in CyrillicCroats – Catholic in Religion – speak Croatian

– alphabet is similar to oursMuslims – Muslim in religion – speak Bosnian

– alphabet is similar to ours

Balkan Human Characteristics

PoliticallyMost of the countries, following WWI and WWII were

communistOnly way to control the many different ethnic groups

When USSR collapsed most changed to democracy

EconomicallyEconomies have been suffering after the fall of

communism

There has been a history of political turmoil since the fall of communism

Lingering Problems in the Balkans

Many of the nine countries have had economic troublesAlbania – they are dealing with old equipment,

lack of raw materials and uneducated work force

Romania – people don’t have the money to move to private ownership

Civil Wars in the former YugoslaviaBuildings destroyedWorkers killed or left