Balkans
The Balkans is a geographical region located in southeastern Europe, encompassing countries such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia, with a portion of Turkey also included. Known as the Balkan Peninsula, this area is bordered by several seas, including the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, and is characterized by diverse mountain ranges like the Dinaric Alps and the Rhodope Mountains. The climate in the Balkans varies significantly, ranging from Mediterranean influences in coastal areas to more continental conditions in the northeast.
Historically, the Balkans have been a crossroads of various civilizations, including ancient Greeks, Slavs, and Ottoman Turks, leading to a rich and often tumultuous history marked by conflicts such as the Balkan Wars in the early 20th century and the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. These conflicts were devastating, resulting in significant loss of life and displacement of populations. In modern times, the region has shown resilience, with nations embracing their cultural heritage, which is evident in their historic cities and unique traditions. As of the 21st century, several Balkan countries have joined NATO and are working towards stability and prosperity, while continuing to showcase their rich cultural landscapes, from Greece's ancient sites to Croatia's medieval cities.
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Balkans
The Balkans refers to the geographical region of southeastern Europe that consists of the countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Some experts consider Greece a Balkan nation, while others characterize the country as part of the Mediterranean. A portion of Turkey is also considered part of the region. The region is also referred to as the Balkan Peninsula. The Balkans is a large area bordered by several bodies of water. It also contains numerous mountain ranges. The climate varies in different areas of the Balkans.
The Balkan region has a rich history. As long as 3,000 years ago, groups began traversing the region. The Greeks, Slavs, and Ottoman Turks especially were active in the Balkans, often taking control of land. Throughout history, the region has been a violent place as empires sought more land and states fought for independence. The Balkan wars, fought in 1912 and 1913, and conflicts in the 1990s were particularly devastating. The United States has lent its support to the warring region. Modern Balkan nations are proud of their history and culture. Even after the fighting, many Balkan countries still have historic cities, feature ancient buildings, and exhibit unique cultures.
Overview
The Balkans cover about 200,000 square miles of southeastern Europe. The bodies of water that border the Balkans include the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Ionian Sea, and the Adriatic Sea. The mountain ranges in the Balkans include the Dinaric Alps, the Balkans, the Rhodope Mountains, and the Pindus. The Balkans’ climate varies from area to area. Southern and coastal areas experience a mild Mediterranean climate, the northwest has a humid subtropical climate, and the northeast has a humid continental climate. Mineral deposits such as iron ore, coal, manganese, copper, lead, and zinc can be found in the region. Much of the Balkans is agricultural, as fruits, grains, and grazing play important roles.
The Balkans region dates back to ancient times. About 3,000 years ago, the Greeks became the first to travel through the area. The Goths, Huns, and Slavs also moved through the area. The Balkans became part of the Greco-Roman civilization. In the fifth century, the Slavs began moving west and south and eventually developing the regional and religious characteristics that separate Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. From the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries, many changes occurred in the Balkans. The Latins invaded Balkan kingdoms, the Venetians established settlements, and the Ottoman Turks began advancing into the Balkans. The Ottoman Turks soon took control of Serbia and Bulgaria and created the Ottoman Empire. The empire continued to expand throughout the sixteenth century. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Turks and the Austrian Empire were active in the Balkans. Countries soon pushed for independence. Serbia gained independence in 1804. Then, in 1832, Greece gained independence. The Ottoman Empire began to weaken, and chaos in the Balkans ensued.
The First Balkan War began in 1912 when Montenegro declared war on the Ottoman Empire. Bulgaria, Greece, and Serbia soon joined Montenegro in the war. By 1913, the Ottomans were forced out of Europe. Later that year, Greece and Serbia waged war with Bulgaria in the Second Balkan War. Bulgaria was soon defeated and lost much of what it had gained in the first war. The Balkan wars were particularly bloody, as about 200,000 soldiers and countless civilians died.
Decades later, in the 1990s, war again broke out in the Balkans. Slovenia and Croatia declared their independence from Yugoslavia, which had been created at the conclusion of World War I. The Yugoslav Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina also declared sovereignty. The ensuing war was devastating. Hundreds of thousands of people died, and millions more were displaced. Then, in 1998 and 1999, violence broke out in the province of Kosovo. Much of the province's population sought independence from Serbia. Kosovo declared its independence in 2008.
The United States has supported the region, helping the region’s states strengthen peace, economic stability, and prosperity throughout the Balkans. Additionally, many of the nations joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the twenty-first century, including Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia (2004), Albania and Croatia (2009), Montenegro (2017), and North Macedonia (2020). Georgia and Kosovo also expressed interest in joining, and Bosnia and Herzegovina were invited to NATO's Partnership for Peace Program (MAP) in 2010.
In the twenty-first century, the Balkans’ rich history and culture is evident. Greece’s influence in helping shape world history can be seen in its ancient sites, including the Acropolis in Athens. In Montenegro, the city of Budva is perhaps the oldest settlement in the Balkans, while the city of Kotor contains medieval monuments and ancient city walls. Romania boasts medieval towns, Byzantine monasteries, and castles. Serbia features several medieval monasteries, and the city of Novi Sad is known for the arts. In Bulgaria, agricultural traditions have influenced the country’s festivals and music. Slovenia contains vineyards, orchards, and olive groves, and its cuisine has Italian and Hungarian influences. Croatia contains the historic cities of Trogir, Split, Zadar, Zagreb, and Dubrovnik, which was made famous by the popular series Game of Thrones (2011-2019), partially filmed in the city's iconic fortress.
Bibliography
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"The Balkans Since 1815. Map: Balkan History." New York Times, archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/specials/bosnia/context/yugo1815.GIF.html. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
“The Breakup of Yugoslavia, 1990–1992.” Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State, history.state.gov/milestones/1989-1992/breakup-yugoslavia. Accessed 20 Oct. 2024.
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