Countries of Europe. Population of Eastern Europe. Brief characteristics of the largest countries in the region Hungary Eastern or Western Europe
It is generally accepted to distinguish four regions within Europe: Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern. Eastern European countries have a lower level of economic development than their western neighbors on the continent. However, they have preserved their cultural and ethnic identity much better. What countries are included in the Eastern European region?
Eastern Europe: the problem of identifying the region
The issue of European regionalization is quite problematic. It should be noted right away that Eastern Europe is, first of all, a historical and cultural region, and not a geographical one. Indeed, by territorial standards, the eastern part of Europe can only include the expanses of the Russian Federation. And the geographical center of Europe is completely within Ukraine.
Let's try to list all the countries of Eastern Europe. In this matter, too, not everything is so simple, since Eastern Europe is the most problematic in the process of regionalization. Germany, for example, is definitely not one of them. But a country like Belarus is included, and according to all existing regional maps.
Today there are several classifications. For example, according to one of them, only Russia, Ukraine and Belarus are included in the Eastern Europe region. The two most problematic regions are the Baltic states and the Balkans. Some geographers believe that the Balkan and Baltic countries should be included in this region, while others are confident that they “do not belong” there.
It is worth noting an interesting feature in the process of European regionalization: all states of the Eastern European region previously belonged to the so-called Eastern Bloc of states. These are the countries that, after the end of World War II, one way or another fell under the influence of the USSR.
Eastern Europe: countries, list
It is interesting that before the outbreak of World War II, geographers drew the border between Eastern and Western Europe clearly along the line of demarcation between the Germanic and Slavic nations.
Today the most popular is the regionalization of Europe from the UN Statistics Division. According to this international organization, 10 countries are currently part of the Eastern Europe region. The countries (listed below) of this region are ranked by the size of the population that lives in each of them:
- European part of Russia (capital - Moscow).
- Ukraine, Kyiv).
- Poland Warsaw).
- Romania (Bucharest).
- Czech Republic, Prague).
- Hungary (Budapest).
- Belarus, Minsk).
- Bulgaria (Sofia).
- Slovakia (Bratislava).
- Moldova, Kishinev).
Almost all countries of Eastern Europe, with the exception of Hungary, Romania and Moldova, are Slavic states. Let's pay special attention to some of them.
Czech Republic - tourist mecca of the region
The Czech Republic is a small state in the very center of Europe with a population of ten million inhabitants. Has no access to the seas. The basis of the economy of this country is the metallurgical industry, chemical complex and mechanical engineering. It is here that the famous European automobile company Skoda, founded back in 1895, is located.
The Czech Republic is the country with the most developed tourism in the region. Tourists here are attracted by ancient and beautiful cities, architecture and museums of old Prague, as well as stunning ski resorts. In addition, the Czech Republic is also considered the beer capital of Europe!
Poland - a country of storks and castles
Poland is a state in Eastern Europe with a rich history and a huge number of monuments. It is the "most Catholic" country in Europe. About 39 million people live here, 85% of whom profess Catholicism. Just recently, Poland was in a deep economic crisis. However, in the 90s of the twentieth century, reforms were successfully carried out in the country, and today Poland is one of the most dynamically developing countries in Europe.
Delicious national cuisine, beautiful brick Gothic architecture, hundreds of well-preserved castles - this is what makes Poland very attractive for tourists and travelers.
Romania is the most mysterious country in Eastern Europe
When talking about Eastern Europe, one cannot fail to mention Romania. This mountainous country has always attracted attention with its mystery and mysticism. After all, it was here, in Transylvania, that the legendary Count Dracula lived, and Romania today successfully uses this moment to attract tourists to the country.
Romania's economy is largely dependent on oil. Moreover, the country both extracts this natural resource and produces high-quality equipment for the oil industry. Income from tourism is also growing every year. Since the early 2000s, exports to Romania have been steadily increasing, but the state remains in dire need of investment.
Finally...
Thus, the countries of Eastern Europe today are ten independent states. All of them are very colorful, original and have preserved the richest cultural heritage on their lands.
Option 1
Part 1
Which country does not belong to the Northern Europe region?
Denmark 3) Sweden
Iceland 4) UK
Which state disappeared from the map of Europe in the 90s?
Hungary 3) Austria
GDR 4) Bulgaria
Select the option that correctly indicates the “country-religion” pair
Poland - Catholicism
Italy - Orthodoxy
Greece - Protestantism
Ireland - Islam
In which country is the Rhine-Ruhr megalopolis located?
in Great Britain 3) in Austria
in Germany 4) in Denmark
Select the option that correctly indicates the country and the agglomeration located on its territory.
Czech Republic – Lyon
Poland – Upper Silesian
Bulgaria – Milan
Germany - London
Which country is not a member of the EU and NATO?
UK 3) Estonia
France 4) Switzerland
In which country does hydroelectric power generation dominate?
in France 3) in Poland
in Italy 4) in Norway
Which country leads in steel production per capita?
Germany 3) Luxembourg
UK 4) Bulgaria
Which industrial area of Europe is old (depressed)?
Ruhr 3) London
Milanese 4) Parisian
Identify the country by its brief description.
Country of Eastern Europe. Religion – Catholicism. The country is one-ethnic, the people belong to the Slavic group. The country specializes in the production of marine vessels, perfumes, and shoes.
France 3) Hungary
Poland 4) Bulgaria
Which country is the car shop of Europe?
Italy 3) Germany
UK 4) France
What industry is typical for the following European cities: Lancashire, Lodz, Milan, Lyon?
metallurgy
textile
mechanical engineering
chemical
Match the country with the mineral deposit
Germany A. Lorraine
France B. Ruhr
Sweden V. Kiruna
G. Upper Silesian
14. Identify the country by its brief description
This country is located in the center of Europe. It is the most populated country in this region. Federal Republic. The capital is not the largest city in the country. There is a large coal basin on its territory.
Part 2
1.Indicate at least two reasons for the transformation of foreign Europe into a hotbed of labor migration.
2. Why in Italy and Germany the capital is not the largest city, unlike the capitals of France and Great Britain?
Administrative test on geography in 11th grade
Option 2
Part 1
Please indicate a country that is not part of the Eastern Europe region.
Poland 3) Moldova
Ukraine 4) Austria
Which state collapsed at the end of the 20th - beginning of the 21st century. for 6 republics?
Czechoslovakia 3) Yugoslavia
USSR 4) Germany
Select the option where the country-religion pair is incorrect
Italy - Catholicism
Albania - Islam
Greece - Orthodoxy
Ireland - Protestantism
Indicate an incorrect match?
German group - English
Roman group - Italians
Slavic group - Poles
German group - Finns
Name a land country in Eastern Europe.
Bulgaria 3) Czech Republic
Austria 4) Croatia
Which country has the highest natural population growth?
Norway 3) Ukraine
Latvia 4) Albania
In which country does nuclear power generation dominate?
in Lithuania 3) in Iceland
in Sweden 4) in Finland
Indicate the country in which a large metallurgical plant was built in the seaport of Taranto?
Great Britain
Romania
Italy
Spain
Which industrial region of Europe is an area of new development?
Upper Silesian 3) London
North Sea 4) Ruhr
Which industry is leading in most foreign European countries?
metallurgy
forest
mechanical engineering
mining
Which country produces Mercedes cars?
France 3) Sweden
Spain 4) Germany
Which country is the leader in the production of potash fertilizers?
Norway 3) Germany
Italy 4) France
Match the country with the form of government.
Finland A. republic
Denmark B. Duchy
Luxembourg V. kingdom
G. principality
Identify the country by its brief description
The form of government is monarchy. On its coat of arms are the words: “Our strength is in unity.” There are two peoples living in the country: the Flemings and the Walloons.
Part 2
Why do Italians call the newly created metallurgical and petrochemical plants in the south of the country “cathedrals in the desert”?
Why did Rotterdam become the seaport of Europe? (Please provide at least two reasons)
Answers:
1 option
Part 1
10-2
11-3
12-2
13- BAV
14- Germany
Part 2
aging population and depopulation, the influx of cheap labor, especially qualified personnel, is beneficial; immigrants are attracted by high wages
are located at a distance from the main axis of development of Europe and are not centers of highly developed areas, i.e. the EGP of Rome and Berlin is less favorable than the EGP of cities in the west of Germany and the north of Italy. The capital of Germany is Berlin during the second half of the 20th century. was divided into two parts by a wall
Option 2
Part 1
10-3
11-4
12-3
13-AVB
14-Belgium
Part 2
The factories of the South are not connected with the interior regions of the country; they work on imported raw materials and export products to other countries and to other regions of the country.
Rotterdam is not only a seaport, but also a major transport hub, located at the mouth of the largest river in Germany, the Rhine. The rivers of Europe connect ports with the hinterlands of countries, which, in turn, are connected to each other by shipping canals
Evaluation criteria:
For the correct answer to tasks of part 1 from 1 to 12, 1 point, 13-14 - 2 points (if there is a complete answer), part 2 of tasks 14-15 - 2 points each (if there is a complete answer)
Total points: 20 points
18-20 points – score “5”
14-19 points – score “4”
10 – 13 points – score “3”
The video lesson allows you to get interesting and detailed information about the countries of Eastern Europe. From the lesson you will learn about the composition of Eastern Europe, the characteristics of the countries of the region, their geographical location, nature, climate, place in this subregion. The teacher will tell you in detail about the main country of Eastern Europe - Poland.
Topic: Regional characteristics of the world. Foreign Europe
Lesson: Eastern Europe
Rice. 1. Map of subregions of Europe. Eastern Europe is highlighted in red. ()
Eastern Europe- a cultural and geographical region that includes states located in eastern Europe.
Compound:
1. Belarus.
2. Ukraine.
3. Bulgaria.
4. Hungary.
5. Moldova.
6. Poland.
7. Romania.
8. Slovakia.
In the post-war period, the industry actively grew and developed in all countries of the region, with non-ferrous metallurgy relying mainly on its own raw materials, and ferrous metallurgy on imported ones.
The industry is also represented in all countries, but is most developed in the Czech Republic (primarily machine tool manufacturing, production of household appliances and computer equipment); Poland and Romania are distinguished by the production of metal-intensive machines and structures; In addition, shipbuilding is developed in Poland.
The chemical industry of the region lags far behind that of Western Europe due to the lack of raw materials for the most advanced branches of chemistry - oil. But we can still note the pharmaceuticals of Poland and Hungary, the glass industry of the Czech Republic.
Under the influence of scientific and technological revolution, significant changes occurred in the structure of the economy of the countries of Eastern Europe: the agro-industrial complex emerged, and specialization of agricultural production took place. It was most clearly manifested in grain farming and in the production of vegetables, fruits, and grapes.
The economic structure of the region is heterogeneous: in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland, the share of livestock farming exceeds the share of crop farming, while in the rest the ratio is still the opposite.
Due to the diversity of soil and climatic conditions, several zones of crop production can be distinguished: wheat is grown everywhere, but in the north (Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) rye and potatoes play an important role, in the central part of the subregion vegetable growing and horticulture are cultivated, and the “southern” countries specialize on subtropical crops.
The main crops grown in the region are wheat, corn, vegetables, and fruits.
The main wheat and corn regions of Eastern Europe were formed within the Middle and Lower Danube lowlands and the Danube hilly plain (Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria).
Hungary has achieved the greatest success in grain growing.
Vegetables, fruits, and grapes are cultivated almost everywhere in the subregion, but there are areas where they primarily determine the specialization of agriculture. These countries and regions also have their own specialization in terms of product range. For example, Hungary is famous for its winter varieties of apples, grapes, and onions; Bulgaria - oilseeds; Czech Republic - hops, etc.
Animal husbandry. The northern and central countries of the region specialize in dairy and meat and dairy cattle breeding and pig breeding, while the southern countries specialize in mountain pasture meat and wool animal husbandry.
In Eastern Europe, which lies at the crossroads of routes that have long connected the eastern and western parts of Eurasia, the transport system has been developing over many centuries. Nowadays, railway transport is the leader in terms of transportation volume, but road and sea transport are also intensively developing. The presence of major ports contributes to the development of foreign economic relations, shipbuilding, ship repair, and fishing.
Poland. The official name is the Republic of Poland. The capital is Warsaw. Population - 38.5 million people, of which more than 97% are Poles. The majority are Catholics.
Rice. 3. Historical center of Warsaw ()
Poland borders Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania and Russia; in addition, it borders the sea areas (zones) of Denmark and Sweden.
About 2/3 of the territory in the north and center of the country is occupied by the Polish Lowland. In the north there is the Baltic ridge, in the south and southeast - the Lesser Poland and Lublin Uplands, along the southern border - the Carpathians (highest point 2499 m, Mount Rysy in the Tatras) and the Sudetes. Large rivers - Vistula, Odra; dense river network. The lakes are mainly in the north. 28% of the territory is under forest.
Minerals of Poland: coal, sulfur, iron ore, various salts.
Upper Silesia is a region of concentration of industrial production in Poland of pan-European significance.
Poland generates almost all its electricity at thermal power plants.
Leading manufacturing industries:
1. Mining.
2. Mechanical engineering (Poland occupies one of the leading places in the world in the production of fishing vessels, freight and passenger cars, road and construction machines, machine tools, engines, electronics, industrial equipment, etc.).
3. Ferrous and non-ferrous (large-scale zinc production) metallurgy.
4. Chemical (sulfuric acid, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, perfumes and cosmetics, photographic products).
5. Textile (cotton, linen, wool).
6. Sewing.
7. Cement.
8. Production of porcelain and earthenware.
9. Production of sporting goods (kayaks, yachts, tents, etc.).
10. Furniture production.
Poland has a highly developed agriculture. Agriculture is dominated by crop production. The main grain crops are rye, wheat, barley, oats.
Poland is a large producer of sugar beets (over 14 million tons per year), potatoes, and cabbage. The export of apples, strawberries, raspberries, currants, garlic, and onions is important.
The leading branch of livestock farming is pig farming, dairy and beef cattle breeding, poultry farming (Poland is one of Europe's largest suppliers of eggs), and beekeeping.
Homework
Topic 6, P. 3
1. What are the features of the geographical location of Eastern Europe?
2. Name the main areas of specialization in Poland.
Bibliography
Main
1. Geography. A basic level of. 10-11 grades: Textbook for educational institutions / A.P. Kuznetsov, E.V. Kim. - 3rd ed., stereotype. - M.: Bustard, 2012. - 367 p.
2. Economic and social geography of the world: Textbook. for 10th grade educational institutions / V.P. Maksakovsky. - 13th ed. - M.: Education, JSC "Moscow Textbooks", 2005. - 400 p.
3. Atlas with a set of outline maps for grade 10. Economic and social geography of the world. - Omsk: FSUE "Omsk Cartographic Factory", 2012. - 76 p.
Additional
1. Economic and social geography of Russia: Textbook for universities / Ed. prof. A.T. Khrushchev. - M.: Bustard, 2001. - 672 p.: ill., map.: color. on
Encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books and statistical collections
1. Geography: a reference book for high school students and applicants to universities. - 2nd ed., rev. and revision - M.: AST-PRESS SCHOOL, 2008. - 656 p.
Literature for preparing for the State Exam and the Unified State Exam
1. Thematic control in geography. Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade / E.M. Ambartsumova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 80 p.
2. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Astrel, 2010. - 221 p.
3. The optimal bank of tasks for preparing students. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Textbook / Comp. EM. Ambartsumova, S.E. Dyukova. - M.: Intellect-Center, 2012. - 256 p.
4. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2010. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2010. - 223 p.
5. Geography. Diagnostic work in the format of the Unified State Exam 2011. - M.: MTsNMO, 2011. - 72 p.
6. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography. Collection of tasks / Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 272 p.
7. Geography tests: 10th grade: to the textbook by V.P. Maksakovsky “Economic and social geography of the world. 10th grade” / E.V. Baranchikov. - 2nd ed., stereotype. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2009. - 94 p.
8. Textbook on geography. Tests and practical assignments in geography / I.A. Rodionova. - M.: Moscow Lyceum, 1996. - 48 p.
9. The most complete edition of standard versions of real Unified State Examination tasks: 2009. Geography / Comp. Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: AST: Astrel, 2009. - 250 p.
10. Unified State Exam 2009. Geography. Universal materials for preparing students / FIPI - M.: Intellect-Center, 2009. - 240 p.
11. Geography. Answers on questions. Oral examination, theory and practice / V.P. Bondarev. - M.: Publishing house "Exam", 2003. - 160 p.
12. Unified State Exam 2010. Geography: thematic training tasks / O.V. Chicherina, Yu.A. Solovyova. - M.: Eksmo, 2009. - 144 p.
13. Unified State Exam 2012. Geography: Model exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2011. - 288 p.
14. Unified State Exam 2011. Geography: Model exam options: 31 options / Ed. V.V. Barabanova. - M.: National Education, 2010. - 280 p.
Materials on the Internet
1. Federal Institute of Pedagogical Measurements ().
2. Federal portal Russian Education ().
Eastern Europe
General information about the region
Economic-geographical location
The countries of Eastern Europe began to be identified as a socio-political and economic entity in the 90s of the 20th century. This is due to the collapse of the former USSR and the socialist system and the formation of independent states. The region covers 7 countries (table).
The economic and geographical position of Eastern Europe is distinguished by the following features:
Borders in the west with highly developed countries, and in the east and southeast with Russia and the countries of South-Eastern Europe - potential markets for Eastern Europe;
Passage of trans-European transport routes of meridional and latitudinal directions through the region. The first of them connect the Scandinavian countries and Finland with the countries of the Danube basin and Southern Europe, and the second provide a connection between the east and west of the continent;
Access to the Baltic Sea, which provides direct benefits for transport and trade relations;
Second half of the 80s, XX century. entered the history of these countries as a period of radical socio-political changes. In Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and the USSR, the political regimes created after the Second World War on the model of the Stalinist administrative-command system experienced the collapse. The ruling communist and workers' parties, one after another, lost their monopoly on power, most of them disintegrated.
Political and socio-economic changes influenced the formation of the modern political map of Eastern Europe.
Table
Eastern European countries
As a result of the collapse of the USSR, independent states were formed: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia.
In the process of profound revolutionary changes, the countries of Eastern Europe entered a period of political and economic reforms, actively asserting the principles of real democracy, political pluralism, and a market economy. A multi-structured economy with equal forms of ownership, including private ownership, is being formed.
All countries in the region are members of the UN.
Natural conditions. The relief clearly shows: lowlands, hilly plains and mountains. The territory is predominantly flat. Mountain ranges are mostly located along the edges of the region - the Sudeten, Bohemian and Carpathian mountains.
The highest mountain system in the region is Carpathians, which form a convex arc to the northeast, almost 1500 km long. Average heights are 1000 m, the highest is 2655 m (Gerlachovsky Štit in the Tatras). The Carpathian mountain system includes the Western and Eastern Carpathians, the Beskids, the Southern Carpathians, the Western Romanian Mountains, and the Transylvanian Plateau. There are many thermal springs.
Three quarters of the region's territory is occupied by plains. Most of the low-lying areas are located in coastal areas and river beds: the Middle Danube, Black Sea, Severopol, and Dnieper lowlands.
The river network in the region is quite dense. The plain Danube, Vistula, Oder, Tisza and their tributaries are predominantly full-flowing, have a calm flow and therefore relatively low energy.
Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic do not have access to the World Ocean.
There are also many lakes here. In Lithuania alone there are almost 4,000 of them. In Poland there are huge areas of marshy areas, the most famous are the Pripyat marshes.
There are healing mineral springs in Hungary, Lithuania (Druskininkai), and the Czech Republic (Karlovy Vary).
Climate. The predominant part of the territory is temperate continental, average January temperatures are -3...-5 C, July +20...+23 ° C, precipitation falls up to 500-650 mm. Tropical air masses come mainly from the Mediterranean Sea in summer and determine cloudless and hot weather, warm (+2...+4° C) and humid in winter.
Natural resources. The region has significant mineral resources. He fully satisfies his needs in coal(Upper Silesian (Poland), Kladno, Ostrava-Karvinsky (Czech Republic), brown coal, which is mined in all countries mainly by open-pit mining - the central regions of Poland, northern Hungary). Peat lies in Poland, Lithuania, largest reserves oil shale- in Estonia (Kohtla-Jarve). Countries are forced to import a significant portion of fuel and energy resources, especially oil and gas.
Ore minerals presented copper ores (Lower Silesian basin in Poland), bauxite(northwest Hungary). Among non-metallic minerals there are important reserves of rock salt (lower Vistula in Poland), sulfur (southeast and Carpathian region in Poland, amber (Latvia), phosphorites (Estonia).
Forest resources the largest in Poland and Slovakia. The bulk of forest areas are plantations that protect water, fields, the sea coast, landscape, as well as groves and parks in recreational areas.
Population
Demographic features. The demographic situation is quite complex, which is due to the consequences of the Second World War, the growth of urbanization and the associated industrial development of states.
As in most other European countries, natural population growth has decreased significantly in recent decades, primarily due to a sharp decline in the birth rate, and in all countries except Slovakia it has become negative. The number of people in older age groups (65 years and older) has noticeably increased, amounting to 14%, while the number of young people (under 14 years old) has decreased - 18% of the total population. The gender composition of the population is dominated by women (53%).
Racial composition. Among the inhabitants of the region, representatives of the transitional (Central European) group of the Caucasian race predominate with moderately intense skin pigmentation, varied eye colors (blue, gray, green, brown), hair of all shades: from blond to dark chestnut and black. On the Baltic Sea coast live groups of northern Caucasians who are distinguished by significant depigmentation of their skin, eyes and hair.
Ethnic composition. Countries have mostly heterogeneous ethnic composition. In many of them, Russians predominate among national minorities, for example in Latvia (34%), Estonia (30%), Lithuania (9%). In other countries: Hungarians - in Slovakia, Roma - in Hungary and Slovakia, Slovaks - in the Czech Republic. The only mononational country is Poland, where Poles make up 98.5% of the population.
The population belongs mainly to two language families: Indo-European - the most numerous, as part of the Slavic group (Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, Poles, Czechs, Slovaks) and the Baltic group (Latvians, Lithuanians); Ural, represented by the Finno-Hungarian group (Hungarians, Estonians).
Religious composition. The region is dominated by Christianity, represented by all directions: Catholicism is professed in Poland, Lithuania, Protestantism (Lutheranism) - in Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, approximately 60% of the population are Catholics, the rest are Protestants.
The region has a very dense network of urban settlements, most of which have existed for several centuries. Unique not only for Poland, but also for Europe in general is the Upper Silesian agglomeration (3.4 million people), which represents a continuous urban settlement of over 30 cities and working towns within the Upper Silesian coal basin. The center of the agglomeration is the city of Katowice. The vast majority of urban residents are concentrated in the metropolitan agglomerations: Budapest (2.5 million), Warsaw (2.3 million).
The urban lifestyle is largely characteristic of rural areas Western countries of the region (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary). The rural population has different types of settlement: group (villages) - in the center, south and east of the region; farmstead - in the Baltic states and Poland.
Since the mid-90s of the XX century. In the countries of Eastern Europe, economic emigration of the population in search of work and permanent income has increased significantly. Intra-regional migration from the eastern regions to the economically developed western countries of the same region - Poland, the Czech Republic - is also noticeable.
Europe is a part of the world located in the Northern Hemisphere and forms the continent of Eurasia with Asia. On its territory there are 46 officially recognized states and 5 unrecognized ones. It is generally accepted to divide Europe into four parts: Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern. A brief overview of the population of Eastern Europe and the countries that form it will be presented to your attention below.
Characteristics of Eastern Europe
The development of Eastern Europe was greatly influenced by the geographical location of the part of the world. Historically, the region continually finds itself at the intersection of two warring factions. Over the last 100 years alone, the outlines have changed several times. Some countries disappeared, others appeared. All these processes inevitably left scars on the economy and politics.
The countries of Eastern Europe are characterized by a level of economic development that is lower than that of their Western “neighbors.” However, countries are also characterized by a high level of ethnic and cultural identity. The population of Eastern Europe is 135 million people.
Eastern European countries
Previously, geographers drew a line dividing Eastern and Western Europe along the border, thus classifying only the Slavs as Eastern Europe. But after World War II, the UN drew a new border for the region, according to which Eastern Europe includes 9 countries and part of Russia.
Eastern European countries:
- Ukraine.
- Poland.
- Czech Republic.
- Romania.
- Belarus.
- Hungary.
- Bulgaria.
- Slovakia.
- Moldova.
You already know the total population of Eastern Europe. Most of the residents are concentrated in Ukraine and Poland. The average population density of Eastern Europe is 30 people per square kilometer.
After World War II, all the countries listed above came under the influence of the USSR in one way or another, and in fact, this played a decisive role in moving the borders of the region. Of all the states of Eastern Europe, only three are not Slavic - Romania, Hungary and Moldova.
Almost all countries in Eastern Europe are resource-scarce, although the region itself is not resource-poor. The fact is that the issue of “incompleteness” of resources is acute here (each country has large reserves of one or two minerals and absolutely no others). Numerous transit routes passing through the region and active trade between countries prevent the economic situation from reaching a critical level.
The states themselves differ greatly in size, population, standard of living, ecology, etc. It is impossible to get a clear picture of the region by considering only a few of them.
Czech
The Czech Republic is a small state with a population of 11 million people (7% of the population of Eastern Europe). The number has remained virtually unchanged for almost twenty years. It reached its post-war maximum in 1991, after which a steady decline in numbers was observed.
Since 2006, the population of the state has been gradually increasing, largely due to migrants from the countries of the former USSR. At the end of 2008, for example, almost 500 thousand foreigners lived legally in the Czech Republic. Most of them came from Ukraine (31%), Slovakia (17%), as well as Poland, Russia and Vietnam. Vietnamese (13%), Russians (6%), Poles (5%) and Germans (4%). The remaining 24% are representatives of other nationalities.
Most of the residents - 70% - are young and mature people aged 25 to 50 years, 13% are children under 15 years old, the rest of the population - 16% - are elderly. The dependency ratio for the Czech Republic is 42.4%. This means that the number of able-bodied citizens is almost twice as large as the number of those who are still or are no longer able to work and provide for themselves independently. The child load factor (the ratio of the number of children under 15 years of age to the adult population) is 19%, the pension ratio (the ratio of the number of pensioners to working-age citizens) is 23%.
The national composition of the Czech Republic is 95% represented by ethnic Czechs. This includes Czechs directly (81.3%), as well as people from Silesia and Moravia (13.7%).
Poland
Poland is the most religious country not only in the region, but throughout Europe. Of the 39 million people (which is 29% of the population of Eastern Europe), 85% profess Catholicism. Like the Czech Republic, Poland is considered very attractive for tourists. Travelers are attracted by low prices, a large number of medieval castles and delicious national cuisine.
In the middle of the last century, Poland experienced severe economic decline, which greatly affected the quality of life of the population. However, after joining the UN and reforms carried out in the 90s, the state began a rapid rise. At the moment, Poland is considered one of the most dynamically developing countries in Europe. It attracts a large number of migrants from Ukraine.
Poland's demographic indicators worsened after the country joined the Union. The reason was the massive migration of the working-age population to more developed (at that time) states. As a result, the birth rate has decreased, and an annual population decline is observed, albeit small (-0.06).
In terms of national composition, Poland is one of the most mononational states in the world. 97% of the population consider themselves Poles, other nationalities are represented by Roma, Germans, Ukrainians and Belarusians.
Romania
Romania is an industrial country with a developing economy. The state's economic focus is on oil (which is in abundance here) and high-quality oil refining equipment. Almost 60% of the population are able-bodied citizens. Of these, 40% are employed in the service sector, 30% in agriculture and the same amount in the industrial sector.
Romania today is experiencing a population decline. The main reason for negative demographic phenomena is considered to be migration outflow. For example, in 1991, population decline (migration) was 18%, in 2001 - 25%, and in 2007, after the country joined the European Union - 22%. In recent years, the migration loss was somehow covered by migrants from Moldova, who arrived en masse in Romania, which provides citizenship. However, since 2013 the country has not received natural
Ukraine
Ukraine is an industrial-agrarian country with just over 40 million inhabitants. The country greeted the twentieth century with the highest population growth rates in Europe. Its numbers were subsequently affected by the First and Second World Wars, the Civil War, the collapse of the Soviet Union and the political crisis, which, having begun in 2014, has not yet ended. The population situation is far from the best.
Hungary
Hungary is a small country with a rapidly growing economy. The state places the main emphasis on mechanical engineering and industry. The population in 2013 was 9 million people. The number of citizens is growing steadily, although there is a negative natural increase.
The population of the state is characterized by mono-ethnicity, because the majority of the inhabitants are Hungarians. Significant Hungarian communities also live in neighboring countries.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a small country with a weak economy, population just over 7 million (5% of the population of Eastern Europe). The Bulgarian economy has gone through many dramatic moments and is currently in decline. The country has coal and gas reserves, but in general there are very few resources. Bulgaria places great emphasis on agriculture (especially tobacco and winemaking).
Most of the population lives in cities, although the number of urban residents has previously grown very slowly. The predominant number of citizens are employed in the service sector, with a slightly smaller number in the industrial sector. Only 10% of the population is engaged in agriculture.
Slovakia
Slovakia is a small country with a population of only 5 million people (about 4% of the population of South-Eastern Europe). The country is considered comparatively the most developed. The stable pace of development of the state was also reflected in the population - the natural increase in 2016, for example, amounted to 5.2 thousand people.
In addition, the country is also distinguished by its national composition: on the territory of Slovakia there are more than 15 districts with a high concentration, and Russian-speaking citizens live mainly in the Presov region. Slovaks make up 85% of the population, other ethnic groups are represented by the following nationalities:
- Hungarians (10%);
- gypsies (2%);
- Czechs (0.8%);
- Russians and Ukrainians (0.6%);
- other nationalities (1.4%).
Moldova
Moldova is the country with the lowest population in Eastern Europe. At last count, just over 3 million people live here. This is only 2% of the population of Eastern Europe. However, this country has a very high population density. It is 131 people per square kilometer. This is the highest population density in Eastern Europe.
The number of citizens has been declining since the nineties. Although, according to statistics, for every 15 births there are 12 deaths. The number of residents of Moldova is decreasing due to migration processes - many citizens decide to try their luck abroad.
The economy in the country is very weak, the main emphasis is on agriculture, where most of the residents are employed (65%). There are almost no mineral resources on the territory of the state, so resources have to be purchased mainly from neighbors. Despite the large number of attractions, tourism is poorly developed.
Belarus
Belarus is a medium-sized country with a population of 10 million people. The economy of the state is built on the basis of social orientation. The main emphasis is on light industry, agriculture and mechanical engineering.
The population of the republic currently amounts to 9.5 million people. The number of deaths exceeds the number of births quite a long time ago. The population of Belarus has been steadily declining since 1993. Most of the population then lived in cities (67%), today this figure is even higher - 76%.
The average life expectancy in the country is 72 years. This is slightly higher than in neighboring Russia and Ukraine, but much lower than in European countries.