1. Eastern Europe Geography

2. Quick Facts 16 independent countries make up the region of Eastern Europe Eastern Europe is made up of four separate subregions – Central Europe, the Baltic States, the Western Balkans, and the Eastern Balkans

4. Central Europe Made up of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. Poland is largest country in Central Europe –Thousands of lakes –Great European Plain covers much of Poland –Vistula River brings water to agricultural areas and provides transportation

5. More about Poland... Carpathian Mountains form Poland's southern border –Home to brown bears, wolves, and lynxes Most of the people in Poland live in cities and work in service or manufacturing jobs 1/4 th of economy comes from agriculture Big pollution problem – mostly from burning coal

7. More about Central Europe... Czech Republic –economy is based mostly on industry –Prague is capital, popular spot for visitors –Bohemian Forest, Elbe River, Sudety Mountains Slovakia –Carpathian and Tatra Mountains –Danube River causes fertile soil for farming

9. More about Central Europe... Hungary –Rich farmland – fruits, vegetables, and peppers for making paprika –More than 1,000 lakes and thermal springs – tourists travel to Hungary to bathe and relax in springs

11. The Baltic States Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia border the Baltic Sea Low-lying coastal plain and mild climate Thick forests Farming, forestry, and fishing Nearly 90% of world's amber comes from Lithuania

13. The Baltic States Latvia's forests cover about 40% of the land –Home to elk, deer, brown bears, and wolves –Sells much of its timber and wood products to other countries Estonia has more than 1,400 lakes and 10% of land area is made up of 800 islands in Baltic Sea

15. The Western Balkans Balkan Peninsula sits between the Adriatic and Black Seas Balkan means “mountain” in Turkish Slovenia is northernmost country – half is covered with forests –Limestone caverns and caves Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Macedonia, Albania

17. The Eastern Balkans Clustered around western shore of the Black Sea Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova Rivers define borders of countries Most of land is mountainous 60% of Europe's bears and 40% of its wolves live in Romania