Chapter 15 Sec. 4: The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary

History Lie south of Germany Lie south of Germany Slavic: Slovakia and Czech Republic Slavic: Slovakia and Czech Republic Magyars: Hungary Magyars: Hungary once part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire (independence after WWI) once part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire (independence after WWI) Czech and Slovakia formed one country Czech and Slovakia formed one country complementary region: both had economic advantages complementary region: both had economic advantages

History Cont. Area was taken over by Germans and Soviets during WWII (Soviets control 1993) Area was taken over by Germans and Soviets during WWII (Soviets control 1993) Czech and Slovakia separated in 1993 Czech and Slovakia separated in 1993

Czech and Slovakia Czech made up of regions Bohemia and Moravia (Roman Catholic) Czech made up of regions Bohemia and Moravia (Roman Catholic) Prague is capital Prague is capital American culture is thick in Prague (movies, sports, and fast food) American culture is thick in Prague (movies, sports, and fast food)

Cont. Rich in supplies of iron ore, coal, uranium (produce steel and glass products) Rich in supplies of iron ore, coal, uranium (produce steel and glass products) Market economy: NATO in 1999 and EU in 2004 Market economy: NATO in 1999 and EU in 2004

Slovakia Slovakia: poorer eastern half, unemployment is high Slovakia: poorer eastern half, unemployment is high joined EU in 2004 joined EU in 2004 capital Bratislava on the Danube River capital Bratislava on the Danube River Good folk culture Good folk culture

Hungary Also has rich folk tradition Also has rich folk tradition Budapest is Capital (1/4 population) Budapest is Capital (1/4 population) Rural areas are less advanced Rural areas are less advanced farming important to economy (potatoes, sugar beets) farming important to economy (potatoes, sugar beets) economy hurt after comminutes rule economy hurt after comminutes rule moving to market economy moving to market economy joined NATO-1999 and EU-2004 joined NATO-1999 and EU-2004

Budapest

Prague Prague is full of old legends, mysteries, and ghost stories. Prague is full of old legends, mysteries, and ghost stories. You can leisurely and safely enjoy your safe visit to Prague in daylight, but in the evening, especially around midnight, be careful - for surprises can meet you around each corner! After night falls, Prague’s ghosts and spirits run amok in the streets, and if you are not careful, you could find yourself face-to-face with the Headless Horsemen, or other legendary apparitions. Old Town Square Clock You can leisurely and safely enjoy your safe visit to Prague in daylight, but in the evening, especially around midnight, be careful - for surprises can meet you around each corner! After night falls, Prague’s ghosts and spirits run amok in the streets, and if you are not careful, you could find yourself face-to-face with the Headless Horsemen, or other legendary apparitions. Old Town Square Clock

Bratislava: on the Danube River