Balkans

The Balkans is a geographical area in southeastern Europe. The region is named after the Balkan Mountains, which stretch across Bulgaria. The Balkans are bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the northwest, the Ionian Sea to the southwest, the Aegean Sea to the south, the Turkish straits to the east, and the Black Sea to the northeast.

The idea of the Balkan Peninsula was introduced by a German geographer named August Zeune in 1808. Back then, the term referred to parts of Europe that were under the Ottoman Empire. Over time, the meaning of the Balkans has changed and is sometimes used in a way that can sound negative.

Today, the exact borders of the Balkans are not always agreed upon. Most people agree the Balkans include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, parts of Croatia, mainland Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, parts of Romania, parts of Serbia, and a small part of Turkey called East Thrace. Some wider definitions may also include parts of Slovenia, Hungary, Moldova, and more of Romania and Serbia. However, places like the province of Trieste in Italy are usually not considered part of the Balkans.

Name

The word "Balkan" has an unclear origin. It might be linked to a Turkish word for "mud" or "swampy forest." During the time of the Ottoman Empire, it referred to a chain of wooded mountains.

In ancient times, the region we now call the Balkans was part of a very old European civilization known as the Danube civilization. The local Thracian people called the Balkan Mountains "Haemus." Greek myths say this name came from a Thracian king turned into a mountain by Zeus.

The name "Balkan" began to be used in the 14th century and became more common in the 19th century. It was used to describe the area between the Adriatic and Black Seas. Today, the region is also often called Southeast Europe.

Main article: Southeast Europe

In different languages, the region has various names:

• Slavic languages:
  • Bulgarian and Macedonian: Балкански Полуостров
  • Bosnian, Montenegrin, and Serbian: Балканско полуострво
  • Bosnian and Croatian: Balkanski poluotok
  • Slovene: Balkanski polotok
• Romance languages:
  • Aromanian: Peninsula Balcanicã or Balcani
  • Romanian: Peninsula Balcanică or Balcani
  • Italian: Penisola balcanica or Balcani
• Other languages:
  • Albanian: Gadishulli Ballkanik and Siujdhesa e Ballkanit
  • Greek: Βαλκανική χερσόνησος
  • Hungarian: Balkán-félsziget or Balkán
  • Turkish: Balkan Yarımadası or Balkanlar

Definitions and boundaries

The Balkan Peninsula is surrounded by water on three sides. To the west lies the Adriatic Sea, to the south the Mediterranean Sea including the Ionian and Aegean seas, and to the east the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. The northern edge of the peninsula is often marked by rivers like the Danube, Sava, and Kupa. It covers an area of about 470,000 km².

The term "Balkans" is used in many different ways, and what it includes can vary. Most often, it includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia (south of certain rivers), mainland Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania (a small part), Serbia (south of the Danube river), and a small area in Turkey called East Thrace. Some definitions also add parts of Slovenia, Romania, Serbia, Hungary, and Moldova, depending on history and culture. Italy holds a small area around Trieste, but this is usually not included in the Balkans.

The term "Western Balkans" started being used in the early 1990s to talk about Albania and the countries that were once part of Yugoslavia, except Slovenia. This area includes the land of the Dinaric Alps. These countries aim to join the European Union in the future and are connected to programs that help them prepare for membership. Croatia, which is part of this group, joined the EU in July 2013.

Nature and natural resources

The Balkans are mostly covered with mountain ranges that run from the northwest to the southeast. Key mountain ranges include the Balkan Mountains, which stretch along the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria, and others such as the Dinaric Alps in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro. The highest peaks are in Rila in Bulgaria and Mount Olympus in Greece.

The climate varies: it is Mediterranean along the Adriatic and Aegean coasts, humid subtropical and oceanic on the Black Sea coast, and humid continental inland. Winters are cold and snowy in the north and mountains, while southern winters are milder. Forests have decreased over time, but different types of trees and plants still grow depending on the region. The area has some natural resources like coal and hydropower from many dams.

History and geopolitical significance

The Balkan region was important in early European history. It was one of the first places in Europe where people began farming during the Neolithic era, around 7000 BC. The Balkans were home to many ancient groups, including Greeks, Illyrians, Paeonians, Thracians, and Dacians.

Later, the area became part of the Roman Empire, which brought Latin culture and language. After the Romans, the Balkans saw many changes, including the arrival of Bulgars and Slavs. The region was also ruled by the Byzantine Empire and later the Ottoman Empire, which brought new cultures and influences.

During the 20th century, the Balkans saw two world wars begin here and later faced conflicts in the 1990s as the country of Yugoslavia broke apart. Today, many Balkan countries aim to join organizations like the European Union and NATO.

Economy

Currently, all of the countries in the Balkans are republics, but before World War II, they were monarchies. Most of these republics have parliamentary systems, except Romania and Bosnia, which have semi-presidential systems. All of these countries have open market economies. Most are in the upper-middle-income range, earning between $4,000 and $12,000 per person each year. However, Croatia, Romania, Greece, and Slovenia have high-income economies, earning over $12,000 per person each year.

The economy of the Balkans has been changing. In the 1990s, as these countries opened up to private investment, small and medium-sized businesses helped boost economic growth. These businesses now make up most of the active companies in the region. However, the Western Balkans face challenges with limited bank credit, which affects businesses trying to grow. Despite these challenges, the region continues to develop economically.

Statistics

Demographics

The Balkans are home to many different groups of people, including Albanians, Aromanians, Bulgarians, Bosniaks, Croats, Gorani, Greeks, Istro-Romanians, Macedonians, Hungarians, Megleno-Romanians, Montenegrins, Serbs, Slovenes, Romanians, Turks, and others.

The region is where many religions meet, including Eastern Orthodoxy, Sunni Islam, and Roman Catholicism. Eastern Orthodoxy is the most common religion there. Islam is also important, especially in places like Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina. There are also small Jewish communities with a long history.

The Balkans have many languages, including Slavic and Romance languages, as well as Albanian, Greek, Turkish, Hungarian, and others. Romani is spoken by many Roma people across the region.

Religion

Languages

Main article: Languages of the Balkans

Further information: Balkan sprachbund

Urbanization

Most Balkan countries have many people living in cities. Bosnia and Herzegovina has the fewest city dwellers, with about half of its people in urban areas.

Time zones

The Balkans have different time zones. Some places, like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia, are in the UTC+01:00 time zone. Other places, such as Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania, are in the UTC+02:00 time zone. And Turkey is in the UTC+03:00 time zone.

Culture

The Balkans have a rich and interesting culture. You can explore the delicious foods in the Cuisine of the Balkans, enjoy the unique sounds of Balkan music, and learn about sports events like the Balkan Athletics Championships and the Balkan Athletics Indoor Championships. There are also many ways to discover the history and ideas behind the region in resources such as Imagining the Balkans.

Historiography

See also: List of Slavic studies journals

The Balkans have a rich history that has been studied by many scholars. People have written about the region from different points of view, helping us understand its past better. This area has seen many changes over time, and learning about how historians talk about it can give us useful insights.