EastEurope

East Europe is a term used to describe the eastern part of Europe. Its boundaries vary by context, but the designation commonly includes countries in Central and Eastern Europe such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), and parts of the Balkans. The region lies between Western Europe to the west, the Caucasus and Russia to the east, and the northern and southern fringes of Europe to the south.

Historically, East Europe has been shaped by Slavic and Baltic peoples, by Byzantine and Ottoman influence in the south, and by shifting borders among empires. After World War II, many states joined the Soviet-led Eastern Bloc with centralized economies and limited political freedoms. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 spurred democratization and market reforms, with several countries later joining the European Union and NATO.

Today political systems range from parliamentary republics to semi-presidential structures. Several states are EU and NATO members, while others remain in transition. Economies vary from highly industrialized and export-oriented to agriculture-based or resource-driven, with growth in services, manufacturing, and IT. Regional energy transit routes influence economies, especially oil and gas from the east.

Demographically, the region is diverse, with Slavic, Baltic, and Uralic language families and multiple religious traditions, including Orthodox Christianity, Catholicism, and Islam. Urban centers such as Warsaw, Kyiv, Prague, Bucharest, and Budapest are hubs of culture and education, while rural areas preserve traditional practices.