Central Europe and Northern Eurasia

Central and Eastern Europe

Poland

The Flag of Poland Red and white have long been associated with Poland and its coat of arms. White is said to represent the hope for peace Red still recalls the symbolic reference to socialism

National Identity and Physical Characteristics Capital: Warsaw Population: 37.95 million National Identity- A sense of what characteristics make up the nation. Most of Poland is covered by the Northern Plain. At one point thick forests covered most of the flat lands. The trees were cut down to make way for agriculture.

Poland in World War II Today less than 9,000 Jews live in Poland. Before World War II more than 3,000,000 lived in Poland. Poland is where the Nazis built the 6 extermination centers including the most famous Auschwitz.

The Czech Republic

The flag of the Czech Republic Identical to the Czechoslovikian flag ( which was against a prier agreement)

Czech facts Capital: Prague Population: 10.56 million Founded: January 1, 1993 Language: Czech

Path to Nationhood The nation of Czechoslovakia was created in 1918 at the end of World War I by the Allies In the 20 years between the creation of this new multiethnic nation and it being conquered by Hitler and Nazi Germany it developed one of the most stable, democratic governments in the region. In the late 1930`s Hitler used the fact that many Germans lived in northwestern Czechoslovakia as a reason to invade the republic.

After Nazi Control After the Soviet Union defeated the Nazi forces in Czechoslovakia, and with the help of the Russian Government, communists party members were elected to power and Czechoslovakia joined the Soviet Union.

A Peaceful Divorce After the Soviet Union fell apart starting in the early 1980s, Czechoslovak leaders came together and and decided to separate from the Soviet Union in a “velvet revolution” (a revolution without bloodshed) In 1993 the leaders of Czechoslovakia came together and decided to “Divorce” the two countries creating the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Slovakia

The Flag of Slovakia The colors stand for Slavic unity and independence and can be seen in the flags of most Slavic nations

Slovakian Facts Capital: Bratislava Population: 5.429 million Founded: January 1, 1993 Language: Slovak

Slovakia`s Split Economy Slovakia has a mixed economy relying on both agriculture and manufacturing. Farms: Fruits, Vegetables, and grains are still grown on the Danube River. When the Communist took control in 1948 they set up collective farms (Government Owned Farms). Slovakia is still in the process of returning these to the people Factories: Most industries started in the regions were started by the Communists after World War II.

Hungary

Flag of Hungary The white is said to symbolize Hungary’s rivers, the green its mountains, and the red the blood shed in its many battles

Hungary’s Facts Capital: Budapest Population: 9.8 million Founded: 895 (1000) AD Language: Hungarian

Hungary`s Past Started around the year 1000 when the Pope crowned King Stephen. The landscape of Hungary is divided into two parts by the Danube River. The Eastern half: Consists of broad plains, with fertile soil. This fertile soil earned the region the nickname of the “breadbasket” of Europe

Hungary`s Western Half: Also known as Transdanubia (land across the Danube) Contains large deposits of coal and iron ore 90% of Hungarians are decedents of the Magyars (a group that settled the area in the 800’s)

Ukraine

The Flag of Ukraine The blue represents peace, the sky above and the country's streams and yellow represents prosperity and the color of the country's wheat fields

Ukraine’s Facts Capital: Kiev Population: 45 million Founded: August 24, 1991 Language: Ukrainian

Since Independence Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine has reaffirmed itself as an independent nation. Ukraine has long been the “Breadbasket” of Eastern Europe. Ukraine`s farmers grow Wheat, Barley, and Potatoes. Also important for farm productivity is rich, black- earth soil called chernozem.