Balkan.

Geography.

Balkans is the historic and geographic name used describe parts of southeastern Europe. This region has a combined area of ​​550,000 km ² and a population of approximately 53 million.
This area gets its name from the Balkan Mountains which crosses the center of Bulgaria into eastern Serbia.

Definitions and Border. 

Peninsula. 

Sometimes referred Balkan Balkan peninsula surrounded on the Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean, Marmara and Black Sea from the southwest, south and southeast.
Currently there is no model of the peninsula because it has no isthmus to connect it to the mainland of Europe, this definition is often used to denote a wider area.

Balkans. 

The introduction is clear from the Balkans to provide as much common history were broken and often harsh terrain of the mountain geography. The region was perennially on the edge of a large empire, its history dominated by wars, rebellions, invasions and clashes between empires, from the Roman Empire to the Yugoslav war in the last days.
Tendency to splinter into rival political entities led coined the term Balkanization (or balkanizing). The term Balkan commonly connotes a relationship with violence, religious strife, ethnic clannishness and understanding of the countryside.

South-Eastern Europe. 

European regions. 

Because connotations the term "Balkan", many people prefer Southeast Europe. In slow growing use of the term; European Union initiative of 1999 is called the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, and the online newspaper Balkan Times renamed itself Southeast European Times in 2003.
The use of this term to mean the Balkan peninsula (and only that) technically ignores the geographical presence Romania and western Ukraine, which is also located in the southeastern part of the continent of Europe.

Ambiguity and Controversial. 

Northern border of the Balkan peninsula is generally considered to be the line that formed the Danube, Sava and Kupa Kupa and the segment that connects the Gulf of Kvarner.
There is also another definition of the northern border of the Balkans:
line Krka (river in Slovenia) - Vipava - the northern border the Gulf of Trieste
line Dniester - Timişoara - Zagreb - Triglav (mountains).
Sava line - Ljubljansko Polje - Idrijca river - the River Soca.

Balkan Peninsula (according to the definition of the Danube-Sava line-Kupa)
A common use of the northern border of the Danube-Sava-Kupa arbitrarily used on fisiografik characteristics, can be easily recognized on the map. Historically may be justified because the area called (along with Romania and negate Montenegro, Dalmatia, and the Ionian Islands) is the most European territories of the Ottoman Empire from the end of the century 15-19. Kupa form a natural border between Slovenia and Croatia southeast, Sava divides 2 Croatia and Serbia and the Danube, which is the second largest river in Europe (after the Volga), form a natural border between Bulgaria, Serbia and Romania. In the north it extends the Pannonian plains path and (in the case of Romania) Karpathia Mountains.
Although Romania (with the exception of Dobrudja) is not part of the geography of the Balkans, including conventionally as the 'successor states' ancient Ottoman Empire. Romanian culture contains many elements of Balkan and Romanian languages, including Balkan linguistic union.
According to the commonly used border, lies to the north of Slovenia are considered part of the Balkans and Central Europe. Historically and culturally, as well as more linked to Central Europe, although the Slovenian culture also incorporate elements of the culture of the Balkans.
However, as has been established, the northern border of the Balkan peninsula can also be drawn on the contrary, are however also at least a small part of Slovenia and parts of Italy (Province of Trieste) may also include the Balkans.
Slovenia is sometimes also considered as the Balkans because of its association with the former Yugoslavia. When the Balkan geopolitical area is described as the 20th century, including the whole of Yugoslavia (hence, Slovenia, Istria, Dalmatia Islands, Croatia and Vojvodina northern entrance as well).
The historical justification for Sava-Kupa northern border including the usual blocking Croatia (which is by the region and the largest part of the Habsburg Monarchy and the Republic of Venice during the Ottoman conquest). Other causes include previous history and culture also binds Croatia, like Slovenia, to Central Europe and the Mediterranean region more than they bound to the Balkans. However, a typical form of geography has been the nature of the grouping with the area of ​​Bosnia and Herzegovina is a part of, such as the recent history of Yugoslavia and so on.

Current General Definitions. 

In most accounts of the English language, the western world, the countries commonly included the Balkan region including:
Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Greece
Republic of Macedonia
Serbia and Montenegro
Turkey, however, only the European part thereof including Istanbul (traditionally called Rumelia or Eastern Thrace)
Romania and Slovenia sometimes makes this list as well.
Many regions in this country are registered as the Balkan countries can be in many respects quite clear from the rest of the region, the country which places a limit line (often a far cry from the Balkan mountains themselves) are usually not referred to so-called Balkan countries. A prime example is Romania and Slovenia, sometimes also Croatia and Greece.

Related countries. 

Other countries do not include the Balkan region close to her and / or play or have meminkan important role in regional geopolitics, culture and history:
Cyprus
Hungary
Austria
Italy
Russia

Nature and natural resources. 

Most of this area is a mountain range stretching from the southwest to the northeast. The main line of the Dinaric Alps in Slovenia is, Croatia and Bosnia, Sar mountains spread from Albania to the Republic of Macedonia and the Pindus range, extending from southern Albania into central Greece. In Bulgaria there are ranges running from east to west: the Balkan mountains and the Rhodope mountains at the border with Greece. Musala is the highest mountain (2925 m) in the Rila Mountains in southwestern Bulgaria.
In the wet coastal climate is subtropical, Mediterranean and sea, in inland continental moderate. In the northern part of the peninsula and the mountains, winters are frosty and snowy, while summers are hot and dry. In the southern part winters milder.
For centuries, wood has been cut down and replaced with bush. In the south and the coast there is evergreen vegetation. In the inland there are woods typical of Central Europe (oak, and in the mountains, fir). 3 lanes in the mountains with an altitude of 1800-2300 m unfolds.
Generally the land is barren, except on land where areas with natural grass, fertile soils and warm summers provide an opportunity for farming. Elsewhere, land cultivation mostly unsuccessful because of the mountains, the summers are hot and barren soil, although other plants such as olives and grapes flowering.
Rare energy source. There are several coal deposits, especially in Bulgaria, Serbia and Bosnia. Lignite deposits are more widespread. Petroleum is scarce, although there is a small deposit in Serbia, Albania and Croatia. Natural gas deposits are also rare. Hydropower stations are largely used in the energy.
Metal ore more usual than other raw materials. Iron ore is rare but in some countries there is a lot of copper, zinc, tin, chromium, manganese, and bauxite magnets. Some metals are exported.

Meaning of History and Geopolitics. 

Balkan region was the first area of ​​Europe to experience the arrival of farming cultures in the Neolithic period. The practice of planting grain and cattle raising came in the Balkans from the Fertile Crescent through Anatolia, and spread west and north into Pannonia and Central Europe.
In the pre-classical antiquity and classical, this area is where the Greeks, Illyrians, Paeonia, Thracians, and other ancient groups. Later the Roman Empire conquered the whole region and spread Roman culture and the Latin language but significant parts still remained under classical Greek influence. During the Middle Ages, the Balkans became the stage a series of wars between the Byzantine Empire, Bulgaria and Serbia, as countries were struggling to build control over this key area.
From the late 16th century, the Ottoman Caliphate into force supervisor in this area, although surrounded Anatolia. In the past 550 years, as many times fought the Ottoman Turks in Europe and around the Balkans, and the comparative Ottoman isolation from the mainstream economy continuation (representing a shift in the center of European trade and political heavier toward the Atlantic), the Balkans has been a part of Europe that less developed.
Balkan nations began to regain 'independence' in the 19th century, and between the Balkan League 1912-1913 reduces the extent of present day Turkey in the Balkan War. World War I erupted in 1914 by the assassination in Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina) of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.
After World War II, the Soviet Union and communism played a very important role in the Balkans. During the Cold War, most countries in the Balkans were ruled by communist governments that supported the Soviet Union.
However, despite being under communist governments, Yugoslavia (1948) and Albania (1961) fell from the Soviet Union. Yugoslavia, led by marshal Josip Broz Tito (1892-1980), first propped up then rejected the idea of ​​merging with Bulgaria, and instead sought closer relations with the West, later even joining many third world countries in the Non-Aligned Movement. Albania on the other hand leaning on Communist China, then took a position of isolation.
Non-communist countries were Greece and Turkey, which were (and still are) part of NATO.
In the 1990s, the region was gravely affected by the armed conflict in the former Republic of Yugoslavia, leading to the intervention of NATO forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and the Republic of Macedonia. The status of Kosovo and ethnic Albanians in general remains unresolved.
Balkan countries control the direct land routes between Western Europe and Southwest Asia (Asia Minor and the Middle East). Since 2000, all Balkan countries are friendly towards the EU and the United States.
Greece has been a member of the European Union since 1981. Slovenia and Cyprus since 2004. Bulgaria and Romania started to become a member in 2007. Croatia is also expected to become a member of the organization, because very little cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in the manhunt for fugitive general Ante Gotovina, in March 2005 has been postponed acceptance. Turkey initially applied for in 1963 and 2004 and additional negotiations have not yet begun, although some indigenous consent has been signed. In 2004 Bulgaria, Romania and Slovenia are also members of NATO.
All other countries have expressed a desire to join the EU but at some time in the future.
Composition of Population by Nationality and Religion [edit | edit source]
Nationality basis of this region including Greece (10.8 million), Turkey (9.2 in European Turkey), Serbia (8.5 million), Bulgaria (7 million), Albanians (6 million, with about 3.3 million of them in Albania), Croatia (4.5 million), Bosniaks (2.4 million), Slavic Macedonian (1.4 million) and Montenegro (0.265 million). When Romania when Slovenia was included, then also the Romanians (26 million) and Slovenia (2 million). Practically all Balkan countries have minority Roma (Gypsies) in large quantities or less. Minorities less stateless include Gagauz, Gorani, Karakachan, Arvania and Vlach.
The region's main religion is Christianity (Eastern Orthodox and Catholic) and Islam. A variety of different cultures every confidence practiced, with each of the Eastern Orthodox countries having its own national church.
Eastern Orthodox main religion in various countries following:
Bulgaria
Macedonia
Montenegro
Romania
Serbia
Greece
Catholicism is the main religion in the following countries:
Croatia
Slovenia
Islam is the main religion in the following countries:
Albania
Bosnia and Hergezovina
Kosovo
Turkey
People who live in the following countries have minority religious:
Albania: Eastern Orthodox, Catholic.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Eastern Orthodox, Catholic.
Kosovo: Catholic.
Macedonia: Islamic
Montenegro: Islam
Serbia: Islam, Protestant, Catholic

Jewel in the Balkan Peninsula. 

Bulgaria, a republic in southeastern Europe, is a country full of history and culture. The 16th largest country in the European empires had experienced during the two periods as well as the Ottoman Sultanate period.

Bordered by Romania, Serbia, Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey, Bulgaria is famous for its mountains that surround it. One is the famous Rila mountains where there are peak Musala is the highest peak in the Balkans. Here are three popular tourist destinations in the country and pretty:

Arbanasi. 

Arbanasi, which in Albanian means working the soil, is a village full of historical value in Bulgaria. It is in the city of Veliko Tamovo, the ancient former capital of Bulgaria, and Goma Oryahovitsa, about 400 meters above sea level.

Like most historic sites, Arbanasi filled with many monuments and a number of church buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries. The architecture of the buildings there are very distinctive, namely walled with stone floors, sills, and the ceiling is made of wood. Looks solid and rigid on the outside but very comfortable inside. While the interior of churches decorated with wood carvings and murals. This is the main attraction Arbanasi.

Several historic buildings become landmarks Arbanasi are: 

 Church of the Nativity of Christ (about age 15-17)
 Church of Saint Michael and Gabriel the Guardian Angels (age 16-18)
 St. Athanasius Church (17th century)
 Church of Saint George (17th century)
 Church of Saint Demetrius (age 17-18)
 Monastery of Saint Nicholas (age 17-18)
 Used Arbanasi palace, formerly used as a holiday home Bulgarian president Todor

As the village is heavily influenced by Greek culture for centuries, Arbanasi population using Greek as their official language.

Rila Monastery. 

About 117 miles south of the Sofia, capital of Bulgaria, precisely in the river valley in the mountains Rila Rilska, stood the convent of Saint Ivan of Rila. The monastery was built in the 10th century Orthodox monastery East is the most popular and biggest in Bulgaria.

Ivan of Rila is the monk who initiated the establishment of the monastery during the reign of Tsar Peter. He himself was living in a cave and have a number of pupils who then together build Rila monastery. The authorities in Bulgaria and then provide support in the form of donations, especially the rulers during the reign of the second Bulgarian Empire until the Ottoman reign. Rila monastery became the spiritual and cultural center of Bulgaria and reached its peak in the 12th century to 14.

Several times suffered damage from an attack that occurred during the 14th century Ottoman rule, as well as fires that occurred in the 18th century, the Rila monastery was forced to undergo a series of renovations. Currently, in addition to the main church, in the Rila monastery complex there is also a dormitory, library, chapel and museum. Rila Monastery in 1983 officially listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO and in 2002 received a visit from Pope John Paul II.

National History Musem. 

National History Museum in Sofia is located is one of the largest and most comprehensive museum of history in the Balkan peninsula. Built in 1973 and opened in 1984, the museum holds at least 700,000 cultural monuments that depict the history of Bulgaria since 8000 years ago. However, only 10% of the collection is on display to the public.

The National History Museum is divided into several showrooms, namely: 

• Space Pre-History, which showcased ornaments, statues, tools of stone and bone, as well as pottery from the seventh millennium to millennium BC 2.
• Ancient Thracian space, which exhibits relics of the Thracian treasure like the treasure Panagursko, Rogozensko, Letnishko.
• Space Middle Ages - the First and Second Bulgarian Empire, which showcased jewelry, pottery, coins, relics, and other objects of the century Bulgarian imperial relics 7-11 and age 12-14.
• Bulgarian Land Space, which featured the story of the earth during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria Dominion.
• Empire Space Bulgari Third, the display objects belonging to the imperial family in the 18th century to the present.

While the collection of stone pillars and monuments of ancient Greece, the Roman and Byzantine museums can be enjoyed in the garden. For visitors who want to buy a souvenir or literature, the museum also provide it.
So, thank you for reading this article. Written and posted by Bambang Sunarno.
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http://primadonablog.blogspot.com/2014/04/balkan.html
DatePublished : April 09, 2014 at 13.41
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Tag : Balkan.