It used to be primarily a political region (prior to the fall of communism, 1989-1991). Now, increasingly, it is being seen as a geographic region with many sub-regions (including the Baltic states, the Balkans, and the European parts of the ex-Soviet Union). The core area in the North (between the Baltic States and the Balkans) are best labeled East-Central Europe (Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic). With the exception of the ex-Soviet states (Belorus, Ukraine, and the European part of the Russian Federation) all, or almost all, of the East European states are now members of the European Union of candidates scheduled for EU membership, and all or almost all with the above exceptions are members of NATO.
The Answer Man
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