Central Europe and the Balkan States

1991, Croatia and Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia Macedonia also declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992 but it is recognized only by a few countries Some of these countries, such as Albania avoided any tourism contact with the West in the past and are now opening to tourism

Central Europe and the Balkan States Function of its location and physical geography Nations of Central Europe today share a long history of political and cultural evolution

Central Europe and the Balkan States European Plain of Poland and the mountainous peninsula occupied by Yugoslavia and Albania helps explain the present cultural fragmentation which is partially reflected in the political boundaries of the region

Modern States of Central Europe and the Balkan States Countries of the region range in size from Poland (largest in population and area) to Macedonia (smallest in population area) Development of industry came late to this region General pattern of industrial development is from north to south, with the Czech Republic and Poland still having the highest level of industrialization

Modern States of Central Europe and the Balkan States Ethnic divisions in the region that led to the breakup of Yugoslavia and the division of Czechoslovakia Conflict in Bosnia and Kosovo continues to create problems to the economic infrastructure of the region

Physical Geography Four Broad regions :- North European Plain Central Mountains Plains of the Danube River Mountains and Coasts of the South

Physical Geography Extension of the major landform feature of Western Europe that extends on to Russia as the Russian Plain First zone lies adjacent to the Baltic Coast Hills or ridges extend in an arc across the North European Plain from Denmark through Lithuania to Russia

Physical Geography Located north of the mountains that form the southern margin of the European Plain is a fertile plain Poles, largest cultural group in Central Europe developed their distinctive cultural characteristics in the various zones of the North European Plain

Climate Transitional between maritime climates of Western Europe, the Mediterranean climate of Southern Europe and the continental climate of Russia North in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, the climate is primarily humid continental Summer temperatures tend to be in the 70s or low 80s for the daytime maximums

Climate Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have winter temperatures that rarely drop below 20 degrees F Highest temperatures found in the region are recorded in the coastal areas of Croatia, Albania, and southern Bulgaria

Tourism Physical and cultural geography of the region European cities and towns are central to tourism in Central Europe

Tourism Major industrial cities remain the primary economic centers of the individual countries from Warsaw in Poland to Prague in the Czech Republic to Budapest in Hungary to Belgrade in Yugoslavia, the old cities remain dominant

Tourism Close association of government and church is manifested in the role the church played in selecting the kings, crowning them, and providing them with skilled administrative staff

Tourism Coastal town, whether along the Baltic or the Mediterranean coast is related to merchant trade of the late Middle Ages Calculated construction of these overcrowded ghettos during WWII destroyed much of the uniqueness of the ghettos of Central Europe

Tourism Old Jewish cemeteries and tabernacles still exist in some communities, adding to the character of the communities Turkic Ottoman Empire had an influence on Bulgaria, parts of Romania, south of Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Albania for many centuries

Tourism Most international tourism in the past was characterized by planned movements of groups between the eastern European countries themselves Overthrow of Communism has transformed the character of tourism to the region

Tourism Western tourism has increased dramatically since the breakup of the communists block Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary are the primary destinations with nearly 47 million visitors in 1999

Tourism Poland Capital : Warsaw Government : Democratic Republic Size :120,728 square miles Ethnic Division : 98.7% Polish Religion : 95% Roman Catholic Peak Tourist Season : May through Sept

Tourism Currency :Zloty Population:38.6 million(2001)

Physical Characteristics Part of the European Plain that continues to Ural Mountains Bordered on the north by the Baltic Sea and Carpathian Mountains to the south along the Czech border Moderately severe in the winters, with mild, cool summers with frequent showers and thundershowers

Tourism Characteristics Greatest cultural attractions of Central Europe, handicapped by the fact that it lacks the major attractions for tourists – sun, sea and sand

Tourism Characteristics Tourism to Poland was estimated at 18 million in 1999, but an even greater number of visitors come as day-trippers from neighboring Germany to take advantage of lower prices on nearly on all consumer goods