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Here is a quick guide to Baltics and Balkans countries with a map:
Let’s start with the map of the Baltics and Balkans as this is the easiest way to see their differences.
Baltics countries are in the north of Europe and Balkans countries are located in the South-Eastern part of Europe.
Baltics countries are Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. All three Baltics countries are part of the EU.
All three Baltics countries used to be all part of the Soviet Union until their independence in 1991.
Balkans countries are Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania.
In total, the Balkans incorporate 11 countries.
To clarify, the first 7 countries used to be part of Yugoslavia until the early 1990s when Yugoslavia split into independent states.
As you can see on the map, the Balkans is a much bigger region in Europe and includes countries that are part of the EU as well as some countries hoping to join the EU soon (Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia).
The name for Baltics comes from the Baltic Sea. All three Baltics countries are located on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea.
The Balkans are named after the Turkish word Balkan, which means mountains. Naturally, this region has plenty of mountains.
The Baltic countries have three individual languages ( Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian), but because they were part of the Soviet Union, Russian is widely understood, especially among the older generation.
As for the Balkans, there are many languages spoken in this region, in fact, is almost impossible to give you a simple answer. Thinks Slovene, Croatian, Albanian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, and Romanian to name a few.
The climate is also different between Baltics and Balkans countries. Naturally, the three countries in the Baltics are known for very cold and snowy winters, but their summer days are enjoyable.
As for the Balkans, this is a region with a much warmer climate, especially during the summer months. But as there are plenty of mountains, you can always escape the heat.
And that’s it for our quick guide to explain how the Baltics and Balkans countries are different. You might also be interested in our blog that explains how Slovakia and Slovenia differ or Iran vs Iraq, what is the difference.
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2 Comments. Leave new
Thank you for simplifying the balkans and baltics and explaining how the names came about
I’m sorry, but to every official organization that matters out there, Greece is NOT in the Balkans club.
Greece is the South-Easternmost part of our Old Continent, Europe. She’s a category on her own, that’s it.
Even during the Ottomans, only a small part of Northern Greece was considered, “Balkans”.
Lastly, I studied 6 years in a very relevant topic, so I’d like to make known my background and where those I’m saying are coming from. In short, I’m not talking randomly. Historically alone, every Balkan State at some point in time were mortal enemies of Greece and the native Greeks. The fact today we try to be friends, doesn’t make us Balkans, again. After the last Balkan Wars, Greece withdrew completely from the area. A little later, only the Greek intelligence agency have had active measures in order to prevent Greece being surrounded again by Muslim States. When Greece joined the EU, in 1981, she withdrew even those active measures. Greece belongs in NATO’s Southern Flank with Italy and Spain, Headquarters in Naples. Only now Greece is back in the Balkans Theater. We signed with Bulgaria and Romania treaties for infrastructure and closer cooperation. The transfer of goods/help in case any of the 3 gets attacked, say, by Turkey, will help each other. In a way, Greece now belongs in the NATO’s Eastern Flank as well, but with much fewer responsibilities and authority.
Lastly, in order to avoid any misunderstanding, we currently like many Balkan countries. We’re not against them in any way, the opposite, but simply, Greece is not Balkans.
Thank you for your consideration and understanding.