1. EASTERN EUROPE Dominated by the USSR until 1990 Europe’s Poorest Region Influenced by Russia political and economic instability common

2. UNDERLYING FORCES FORCES THAT CAN DIVIDE A COUNTRY Religious, linguistic, ethnic, or ideological differences FORCES THAT UNITE AND BIND A COUNTRY TOGETHER A strong national culture, shared ideological objectives, and a common faith

3. THE BALTIC STATES POLAND, LITHUANIA, LATVIA, ESTONIA, BELARUS BELARUS: Still strongly influenced by Russia Traditionally a Farming Region Fishing and shipping on the Baltic Sea

4. CENTRAL EUROPE  CZECH REPUBLIC  The region’s most westernized country  SLOVAKIA  Less Developed, More Rural than Czech Republic  HUNGARY  landlocked; strategic location

5. THE BLACK SEA COUNTRIES BULGARIA: Freed from Russia in 1878. ROMANIA: Formerly Roman MOLDOVA: Agrarian (Farming) UKRAINE: Agrarian (Farming); largest and most populated of these countries

6. THE BALKANS Most of these countries formed when Yugoslavia broke apart SLOVENIA: First to Become Independent. Ethnically Most Homogeneous CROATIA: Booming Tourism BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA: Centrally Located SERBIA: Core State of Former Yugoslavia MONTENEGRO: Pollution of Coastal Waters MACEDONIA: Mountainous territory with deep basins and valleys ALBANIA: 70% Muslims; Lowest Economic Ranking in Europe KOSOVO : Europe’s Newest Country