UNIT 5

 Lithuania-Speak similar language to Latvia 8 million total people in all three countries  Latvia  Estonia-Language related to Finnish

 Most Estonians and Latvians are Lutheran  Lithuanians mostly Roman Catholic  Russians make up most of population of Latvia and Estonia

 Location along the sea is important  Sometimes it has hurt them due to power struggles between countries around them  Part of Soviet Communist block

 Under soviet rule life was harsh  Strategic location important to Russia  Many people forced out by Russia  1991 gained Independence

 Ethnic diversity is a challenge  Latvians want to limit Russian influence  Privatization has gone well in the three Baltic states

 Industry is growing in the region  Estonia-service industry and mining, ship building and manufacturing  Lithuania food processing and manufacturing  Latvia produces care, pharmaceuticals and electric equipment

 Kiev the capital and has close historical ties to Russia  Ukraine has been dominated by various foreign powers: Mongols, Lithuania, and Poland  Most Ukrainians are of the Orthodox church

 Suffered harshly under Soviet rule  Many resisted the Russians

 50 million in population- reaffirmed its independence  Just smaller than Texas in size  Great farming in the region  Wheat, barley, rye and potatoes

 Difficult at times  Large Natural gas and Oil deposits