PO 107 / WC 107 Central European Nations: Books

A contemporary analysis of the people, cultures, and society within the regions that make up Eastern Europe. * Discusses the geography, history, political development, and economy of nations such as Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Albania, and many others * Includes historical profiles of significant people such as Konstantin Päts and Lydia Koidula, cultural events such as the Song Festival, and key events such as the sinking of the ferry Estonia * Presents maps of the entire region and each of the 16 countries, including Latvia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, and Greece * Includes discussions of Eastern European languages

First published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

On the stroke of midnight on 1 January 2013, the inhabitants of Slovakia celebrated a major milestone in their history: two decades of democratic government and personal freedom. This is so far the longest period of such rule in their history. This anniversary surpasses by a few months their only previous, generation-long, experience, namely in the First Czecho-Slovak Republic (1918-1938). The difference, of course, is that the Slovaks no longer share a state with another nation but run their own affairs. Slovakia is now an accepted and recognized member in the family of nations whose athletes, artists, and other notable personalities are acknowledged around the world. It is a member of international organization's and multilateral institutions and participates in efforts to maintain peace and enhance prosperity around the world.