Mediterranean and Eastern Europe
Mediterranean Europe
Mediterranean Europe is also called Southern Europe. It is located on the southern part of the European continent, near the Mediterranean Sea. This region is dominated by a Mediterranean climate, and includes the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan Peninsulas. In this interactivity, you will explore the different nations of Mediterranean Europe. Click the player to begin.
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Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe is located on the eastern part of the continent, near Russia. During the Cold War, this region was aligned with the Soviet Union and ruled by communist governments. In the 1990s, the communist governments of Eastern Europe collapsed. They were replaced with democratic and capitalist societies. In this interactivity, you will learn about some of the major countries in Eastern European. Click the player to begin.
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Cultural Influences of Mediterranean and Eastern Europe
The populations of Mediterranean and Eastern Europe are composed of various ethnic groups. These groups of people often have different customs, practice different religions, and speak different languages. This diversity has helped shape the European cultural landscape. In this interactivity, you will explore the cultural influences of Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. Click the player to begin.
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Political Divisions Based on Ethnicity
The flags of Slovakia, Czech Republic, and the EU
When communist governments began to fall across Europe, some countries broke up and formed new countries. Most of these new countries were created based on ethnic identity. Some nations were able to peacefully establish their independence. Many fought for their independence in wars and other conflicts.
The former nation of Czechoslovakia was formed by ethnic Czechs and Slovaks after the fall of Austria-Hungary. In 1989, the communist government of Czechoslovakia was overthrown in a non-violent revolution, called the Velvet Revolution. In 1993, Czechoslovakia separated into two nations. The Czech population formed the Czech Republic. The Slovak population formed Slovakia. This peaceful separation became called the Velvet Divorce.
Memorial cemetery in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The former nation of Yugoslavia was established after World War I. The nation combined several different ethnic groups, including Slovenes, Croats, Bosniaks, Montenegrins, Albanians, Serbs, Macedonians, and Hungarians. The country was ruled by a communist government until the 1990s. When the government collapsed, Yugoslavia’s various ethnic groups wanted their own nation. Like Czechoslovakia, the country separated into new nations based on ethnicity. Unlike Czechoslovakia, the transition was violent and fighting erupted throughout the region. The conflict was one of the deadliest since the Second World War, and even involved cases of ethnic cleansing. UN peacekeeping forces were unable to stop the killing, and NATO was forced to intervene. Today, an uncomfortable peace exists in parts of the region. Geographers use the term Balkanization in reference to a break-up of a nation along ethnic lines.
Economic Characteristics of Mediterranean and Eastern Europe
Steel mill in Ukraine
Eastern European economies deal with the legacy of decades of communism. Under communism, the government controls all production. This includes resources, prices, job placement, and more. There are no private businesses or entrepreneurs, which means there is no economic competition. Without competition, there is less efficiency and less innovation. As a result, Eastern Europe has a lower level of economic development compared to other parts of Europe.
By the 1990s, communist governments in Eastern Europe had collapsed. Post-communist countries had limited or poorly developed infrastructure. The new governments often maintained a large role in the economy. In some cases, former members of the communist government remained in control. These challenges made it difficult for some nations to shift to capitalism. Despite this, several nations were able to adapt and recover relatively quickly. Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Slovenia have all experienced strong economic growth since the 1990s.
Mediterranean Europe is made up of mostly industrial and technological nations. However, these nations face some economic challenges. In Italy, the northern part of the country is highly diverse and developed. In contrast, the southern part of the country remains underdeveloped and agricultural. Spain experienced a long recession that began in 2008. The country has gradually recovered, but continues to deal with high unemployment among the youth. Greece has struggled with high debt, unemployment, and other financial problems. The European Union has provided major financial aid to Greece to help.
Plowed chernozem soil
Agriculture is also an important contributor to the economies of Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. The Mediterranean climate is ideal for growing grains, citrus fruits, olives, grapes, and a variety of vegetables. Many areas of Eastern Europe have black soil called chernozem. Chernozem is extremely fertile and great for growing crops. It has a similar composition to the soil found in the North American Great Plains.
Mediterranean and Eastern Europe Review
Now that you have learned about the major regions, cultural influences, and economic characteristics of Mediterranean and Eastern Europe, review your knowledge in this interactivity. Click the player to get started.
