Eastern Europe refers to those countries that emerged from Soviet rule following World War II, dismantled communism and started building democratic institutions and market-based economies – including Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia in the Balkan region.
But where to draw the line dividing East Europeans from Western Europeans remains contentious.
Geography
An understanding of a region’s topography can provide an entryway into its history and culture. Four main geographical units can easily be distinguished in Europe: coastal lowlands, interior lowlands, central uplands/platforms/plateaus, northwestern highlands/south; forests deserts tundra Alps. Europe features many climate zones including forests deserts tundras tundras as well as impressive physical regions like Mount Elbrus at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet). Tundra areas like Iceland Scandinavia Russia feature treeless environments filled with tiny mosses/lichens/ferns as well as large herds of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus).
Eastern European nations have been formed not only by their natural geography but also by powerful empires – Ottoman and Habsburg-, Fascism/Communism/National Socialism as well as nationalism; all events which left a mark on culture of peoples from this region.
Many countries in Eastern Europe are now slowly shifting toward Western European ideals such as democratic governments, open market economies and private property ownership. This trend was hastened by the fall of Soviet Union. Some countries with citizens who enjoy an unprecedented degree of freedom and economic opportunity have even been admitted to the European Union; others that still struggle towards reaching this goal have yet to fully integrate with Western European nations.
Tomek Jankowski began exploring Eastern Europe since the late 1980s. With degrees in both history and economics, he works as a senior analyst at a research firm where he has written numerous reports centered around Eastern Europe. He and his wife reside in Pembroke, New Hampshire. His books explore various aspects of regional history and culture as well as globalization/trade issues. His most recent publication “The End of the Cold War”, was released for sale in May 2015. This three-sectioned work contains four parts. The first section provides an overview of modern linguistic, geographic and religious characteristics in the region; while the second looks at its history from prehistory through Cold War. Finally, there is a third section with boxed-off anecdotes about exciting elements of Eastern European history or culture.
History
Few regions on Earth have endured more in modern history than Eastern Europe has during this century. Eastern Europeans endured war, famine, occupation and genocide as well as Fascism, Communism and Capitalism regimes throughout their recurrent cycles – yet their resilience remains undiminished despite these hardships. This remarkable book delves deeper into this often misunderstood region.
After World War II, Europe was divided between Western and Eastern nations by the Iron Curtain; following the fall of Soviet Russia these countries gradually transitioned towards Western European ideals such as democratic governance, open markets and private ownership of businesses. Some such as Russia and Hungary managed to establish themselves as stable democracies with expanding economies and are now members of the European Union; others, like Poland and Romania are still working toward improving their governance and economy.
Western and Eastern European historians have become more acquainted since the fall of Soviet Russia; however, their histories and concepts still vary significantly. This book helps bridge this divide by showing how Western and Eastern European histories can help us gain a more thorough understanding of all of Europe as an entity and its place within global politics.
Eastern Europe is a diverse region of Europe with a long and complicated history and vibrant culture, including religious beliefs that span Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Many Eastern European countries share close ties to Germany, Scandinavia, Italy as well as being heavily impacted by influences from Central and Southern Europe – as well as being historically under Ottoman rule and Mongol rule.
This guide offers an in-depth exploration of Eastern Europe’s historical and cultural context, beginning with a summary of its modern linguistic, geographical, and religious features before delving deeper into its past from its earliest beginnings through to Cold War’s conclusion and into post-Cold War period studies – something this second edition addresses for the first time!
Economy
Eastern Europe is making great strides toward democracy and market economics, though many nations still struggle. Many individuals with education or technical skills migrate elsewhere for work or better opportunities. Mineral resources in Eastern Europe include coal, iron ore, petroleum, natural gas and bauxite; poverty and unemployment remain widespread but improving.
One key reason for differences in economic performance can be found in its laws and institutions created under communism; their laws and institutions do not match up well to what would be needed in a capitalist economy; for instance, socialist ownership structures encased industry, services and (with the exception of Poland) agriculture into state hands which drastically distorted economies in these nations.
Second, transitions to market economies often necessitate considerable reallocation of resources; old industries must be replaced with ones capable of competing internationally – an extremely time-consuming and complex process. Finally, many Eastern European nations are joining the European Union, which mandates high standards of democracy and market economies as criteria for membership – increasing pressure to raise standards further.
Eastern European economies performed exceptionally well compared to their global counterparts in 2001, even amid turmoil. Czech Republic and Slovakia both saw 3 percent or greater GDP growth, and Hungary and Slovenia should also experience expansion.
Eastern European nations are making strides toward democratic governance, open markets and private ownership but still face considerable obstacles in reaching that goal. While not as industrialized as their Western European counterparts, Eastern Europeans possess vast untapped economic development potential; some have even joined the EU and established expanding economies while others continue making progress but lack political or economic stability sufficient for membership.
So far, the European Central Bank has urged Eastern European nations to accelerate economic growth. Additionally, it has put pressure on them to cut government deficits and enhance economic statistics quality. Finally, its central banks have also worked on making these countries more cost-competitive by lowering tariffs and financing costs – all goals that would boost global trade competitiveness.
Culture
While Western Europe may be seen as the center of culture in the world, Eastern European nations offer much to discover as well. From their rich heritage and centuries-old histories to the many different ways culture has permeated each society therein.
Eastern European artists have long challenged dominant artistic movements and pioneered innovative concepts and styles that stand out from Western counterparts. Their works boast a distinct quality that sets them apart, giving Eastern European cultural history a powerful legacy which will surely encourage future generations of artists to push beyond creative limits even further.
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, “Eastern Europe” has gained renewed relevance. Yet many still struggle to define its boundaries. Some believe the term refers only to former Soviet-controlled European nations while others include Albania and Yugoslavia which the UN Statistics Division classifies as Southern Europe into Eastern Europe. Many Eastern Europeans do not like being lumped together with Germany in Central Europe or Scandinavia in Northern Europe and being associated with communism which has long been embedded into their culture.
Another challenge lies with how these cultures are seen by the global art market. Persistent beliefs that Eastern and Central European art is somehow inferior or weaker than its Western European counterpart have contributed to myopic views of these art forms, which affect their practice and value directly.
East Art Map (EAM) began collecting art data from this region and working towards democratizing its research process in order to help break down these barriers. Its goal was to serve as an art-history GPS for this vast yet uncharted territory; its website encouraged public contributions that might alter or add to EAM’s current topography. By its conclusion, 24 invited art critics, curators, and scholars from Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, the former GDR Russia Slovakia Romania Bulgaria Ukraine Belarus and Balkan states had identified 250 artists/events/projects considered significant by these 24 invited art critics curators curators or scholars from Poland Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakskaia