Where does the eastern edge of Europe begin according to geography?
The Ural Mountains stand as a stone wall between continents, marking the eastern edge of Europe. No such clear line exists to the west.
Questions about Eastern Europe
Short answers, pulled from the story.
When did the Great Schism divide Christianity into Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches?
In 1054, the Great Schism formally divided Christianity into Western Catholic and Eastern Orthodox branches. This religious cleavage shaped the cultural identity of much of Eastern Europe for over nine hundred years.
What happened to serfdom in Russia during the nineteenth century?
Russia abolished serfdom in 1861, but ex-serfs paid annual cash payments to former masters for decades. Before 1870, industrialization lagged far behind Northwestern Europe and the United States.
Who delivered the Sinews of Peace address on the 5th of March 1946?
Winston Churchill delivered his Sinews of Peace address on the 5th of March 1946, at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. He described an iron curtain descending across the continent, dividing East from West.
Which countries joined the European Union by 2013 after the fall of the Iron Curtain?
By 2004, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovenia, and Slovakia joined the European Union. Bulgaria and Romania followed in 2007, while Croatia entered in 2013.