Human

Geography
Eastern Europe & Russia
Ethnic Groups
• Most Eastern Europeans are ethnically Slavs
• There are West Slavs and South Slavs
• They all share a common ancestry and root
language
• West Slavs
• Poles, Czechs, and Slovaks

• South Slavs
• Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Macedonians

• East Slavic
• Russians
Language
• Eastern Europe
• Their language is traced to the same Indo-
European roots
• The words and grammar vary by country
• Russia
• Majority speak Russian
• Different ethnic groups within Russia
speak their own native language
Population Distribution
• Eastern Europe
• Population distribution is influenced by physical factors
• Flat fertile lands support larger populations
• Mountainous terrain in the Balkan Peninsula support
smaller population

• Russia
• 80% of Russians live west of the Ural Mountains
• In the Northern European Plain
• Due to the rich soil and milder climate
Religion
• Religious differences have led to conflict in Eastern Europe
• Tension between the Serbs and Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Muslims
• Led to armed violence and ethnic cleansing

• Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Roman Catholicism, and Judaism are

practiced in Eastern Europe
• During the Soviet Era, the Soviet government activity promoted atheism
• After the Soviet Union fell, millions began to rediscover their
religious faiths and traditions
Education
• Almost all Eastern Europe was a part of the Soviet bloc
• So they have a recent history of free education
• However, since transitioning to democratic governments they have struggled
• Lack of funds has affected education negatively
• Still have good literacy rates
• Russia’s education was free and mandatory during the Soviet Era
• The focus was on math, science, and engineering
• Since then curriculum has changed to be more balanced
• Russia’s economy is limiting funding for schools