19982006

1998–2006 describes a span of eight years that bridged the late 1990s and the mid-2000s, marked by rapid technological change, globalization, and major geopolitical developments. The period saw the maturation of the internet as a mass medium, the rise of digital communication, and shifts in economic and political power that helped shape the early 21st century.

Economic and technological developments were central to the era. The dot-com boom culminated around 2000, followed by a downturn that reshaped technology investment and business models. The euro was introduced in 1999 as a shared currency and began circulating as cash in 2002, reflecting deeper European economic integration. Internet-based services expanded quickly, with Google founded in 1998 and broadband access spreading widely. Mobile telephony advanced, laying groundwork for later smartphones, while digital media devices such as MP3 players and digital cameras became commonplace. Social media began to emerge in the mid-2000s, with Facebook launching in 2004 and YouTube in 2005, signaling a shift toward user-generated content and online communities.

Geopolitically, the period was shaped by the September 11, 2001 attacks and the subsequent global anti-terrorism campaigns. U.S.-led military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, changes in security policies, and debates over civil liberties defined international relations. The European Union expanded during this era, integrating more member states and extending the use of the euro. Energy security, globalization, and climate considerations started to gain greater prominence on political agendas.

Culturally and scientifically, digital media, online gaming, and streaming concepts began to redefine entertainment and information consumption. The period laid the groundwork for the social, economic, and technological transformations that accelerated in the following decade.