Mediterranean and Eastern Europe
Rome, Italy
Mediterranean Europe has greatly influenced the cultural landscape of Europe and the world. The roots of western culture can be traced to Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. These societies formed the foundation of western art, architecture, philosophy, and democracy. Latin, the language of Ancient Rome, split and evolved into several distinct languages, called Romance languages. They include Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, and others. Some of these languages have spread beyond Europe. For example, the Spanish and Portuguese Empires spread their cultures and languages to many parts of the world.
Eastern Europe also has a long and rich history. However, this region experienced dramatic changes during the twentieth century. The legacy of communism still permeates this region of Europe. After the fall of communism, some nations split along ethnic lines. This includes the former nations of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia. Some post-communist countries have struggled to catch up with the rest of Europe economically. Others have successfully adapted and even joined the European Union.