Central and Eastern Europe
By Abraham Gonzalez
The Czech Republic
More than 10 million people live in the Czech Republic. They are former communists but after the a velvet revolution in the 1980s they became a free society. A velvet revolution is a revolution without bloodshed. Bohemia contains most of the regions mines and industries. Moravia's old coal and steel industries are too inefficient to compete in the world market. There is too much air and water pollution in Bohemia as well as in Moravia.
Slovakia
Slovakia became independent in 1993. Over 5 million people live in Slovakia. On collective farms the government paid workers and they shared profits from their goods. the country has many problems with Hungary.
Hungary
About 90% of Hungary's population descend from Magyars. Hungary is a former communist country. Hungary is about the size of Indiana. The nickname of the country is Europe's breadbasket. Since they were once a communist country they now have trouble adapting to a free market system.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is called the garden of eastern Europe. Bulgaria was once a communist country. they have problems because they are not used to having a free market system
Romania
Romania is populated by more then 23 million people. Romania's second communist leader was Nicolae Ceausescu. During the time he was leader hey could only air television for two hours each night because of the economy. An American soft drink maker spent 150 million dollars to build up operations in Romania.The Multiplier effect is an effect in economics in which an increase in spending produces an increase in national income and consumption greater than the initial amount spent. They started making bottles for the soft drinks. Romania had many problems with economy.
Albania
About 3.5 million people live in Albania. Albania's nickname is Europe's hermit. Isolation left Albania one of the poorest nations in Europe. After the end of communism Albania has been receiving billions of dollars from foreign countries.
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia means the land of the southern slavs. After the end of communism in Yugoslavia other countries grew restless and nervous thinking that their wealth woul attract Yugoslavians. All other Balkan nations became independent so Yugoslavia was broken apart.
Serbia & Montenegro
A lot of mountains make up Montenegro and plains in Serbia. There was more than 50% of unenployment.
Croatia
Almost 5 million people live in Croatia. Croats and Serbs have different religions.
Slovenia
About 2 million people live in Slovenia. Industrial development took place earlier in Slovenia.
Macedonia
Greece and Albania complicated trade patterns and hampered the Macedonian economy.
Bosnia/Herzegovina
They declared independence in 1991. Of every six residents two were Serbs, one was Croat and three called themselves Bosniaks. Resources in Herzegovina and Bosnia include iron ore and lead.