Because of its complexity, the term “Balkans” can mean different things depending on the historical, political, or geographical context in which it is used. For tourists, the many countries that make up Southeast Europe and their complex interrelationships can be confusing. As regional specialists, we have created an exhaustive list of Balkan nations to permanently clear up any confusion.
The question of whether Turkey is a Balkan country has sparked numerous debates and diverse opinions. While geographically, Turkey’s European territory, Thrace, lies within the Balkan Peninsula, its cultural and historical ties with the region remain a subject of discussion This article delves into the complexities of this issue, exploring the various perspectives and providing a comprehensive analysis.
Defining the Balkans: A Tangled Web of Geography and History
The term “Balkans” encompasses a region in southeastern Europe, encompassing a diverse array of countries with unique cultural identities and historical trajectories. While geographically, the Balkan Peninsula includes the European portion of Turkey, the region’s definition extends beyond mere geography The Balkans are often characterized by shared historical experiences, including Ottoman rule, religious diversity, and complex ethnic compositions
Turkey’s European Enclave: A Bridge Between Continents
Thrace, Turkey’s European territory, constitutes a mere 3% of the country’s total landmass. Thrace, a bridge connecting Europe and Asia, is a vital part of Turkey’s geopolitical landscape despite its small size. Thrace is home to Istanbul, the largest city and former capital of Turkey, highlighting the region’s strategic significance.
Cultural Crossroads: Turkey’s Balkan Connections
Throughout history, Turkey has maintained close cultural and historical ties with Balkan nations Ottoman rule, which spanned centuries, left an indelible mark on the region, shaping its architecture, cuisine, and traditions. The shared experience of Ottoman influence has fostered a sense of cultural affinity among Balkan countries, including Turkey.
Geopolitical Realities: Turkey’s Ambiguous Balkan Identity
Turkey’s membership in NATO and its ambitions to join the EU have frequently placed it outside the Balkan fold, despite its geographical and cultural ties to the region. Furthermore, Turkey differs from many Balkan countries due to its distinct political structure and predominately Muslim populace.
The Balkan Identity: A Spectrum of Perspectives
The question of whether Turkey is a Balkan country remains open to interpretation. Certain academics contend that Turkey is a Balkan nation due to its European territory, cultural connections, and historical experiences. Others argue that Turkey is unique in the region due to its unique political and religious features. In the end, the meaning of “Balkan” is arbitrary and contingent upon the standards employed to identify the area.
The question of Turkey’s Balkan identity is a complex one, with no straightforward answer. Turkey’s unique geographical position, cultural connections, and political aspirations contribute to its ambiguous status within the region. While some consider Turkey an integral part of the Balkans, others argue that its distinct characteristics set it apart. Understanding the complexities of this issue requires a nuanced approach that considers the various perspectives and historical contexts.
Additional Resources:
- The Balkans: A History of the Region by Misha Glenny
- The Ottoman Empire and the Balkans by Stanford J. Shaw
- Turkey and the Balkans: A Long and Complicated Relationship by Hugh Pope
The Balkans are unique and authentic region to visit
Just like Slovenia, Montenegro too is recognized for being small, but at the same time incredible diverse. Most people travel to Montenegro because of its gorgeous beaches along the Adriatic coast, which feature white pebbles and blue waters. Other attractions include the sophisticated Venetian towns of Kotor and Perast, luxurious places like the former fishing village on an island that has been converted into an opulent hotel at Sveti Stefan, and Budva, which is the country’s tourism hub. But this Balkan country has more to offer: wild mountains rising inland from the coast that provide beautiful hiking opportunities; pure lakes; divine rivers; and fascinating historical sites like King Petar’s mausoleum and the Ostrog Monastery. Traveling to Montenegro will quickly show you that this little Balkan country has much to offer everyone—it’s just waiting to be discovered. Hurry up, before the secret gets out!.
| Area: 13,812 sq km | Capital: Podgorica |
| Population: 622,359 (2018) | Currency: Euro |
After the bloody conflict, Serbia—which had previously been the most powerful republic in the former Yugoslavia—found itself largely alone, especially after the horrific NATO bombing of its capital city of Belgrade in 1999. When the Serbian government was forced to remove its military forces from neighboring Kosovo by the international community, peace was eventually restored in the Balkans. Even though Serbia continues to deny Kosovo’s independence, this Balkan country has just started making contact with the outside world again and is making rapid progress toward joining the European Union. Despite being an underdog when talking about traveling to the Balkans, visiting Serbia can be an authentic experience. Because Novi Sad’s Exit festival was named the best of its kind in all of Europe and because Belgrade is often referred to as the party capital of the Balkans, it is especially popular with younger tourists.
| Area: 77,474 sq km | Capital: Belgrade |
| Population: 6,963,764 (2019) | Currency: Dinar |
Kosovo is the newest nation in the Balkans and all of Europe, with only about half of UN members having recognized it. The country’s status is still up for debate. However, since announcing its independence from Serbia in 2008, this small country in the middle of the Balkan peninsula has made great progress and is growing swiftly, mostly due to the substantial support from the international community, especially the EU. For the individuals among you who do not know about the connections between the countries, allow us to explain that the bulk of Kosovo’s population consists of Albanians (88%) and Serbs (7%). Strolling through the lively streets of Priština, the newest capital of the Balkans, you can feel the optimism and excitement for a better future. That said, Kosovo is definitely one of the most authentic and off-the-beaten-path places to visit in the Balkans.
| Area: 10,887 sq km | Capital: Priština |
| Population: 1,873,160 (2020) | Currency: Euro |
Check out the complete list of the Balkan countries
Even though Slovenia has never shown much interest in ties with other Balkan countries, let’s start in the north. This little nation, which lies on the border of Austria and Italy, has historically had closer ties to Central Europe due to its lengthy membership in the Habsburg Empire. Following World War I, Slovenia joined other South Slavic countries to form the new nation of Yugoslavia. However, following the breakup in 1991, Slovenia quickly reestablished relations with the West and became the first former Yugoslav nation to join the EU. As the above illustrates, Slovenia might not even be fully, if geographically, a part of the Balkan peninsula. However, no one can deny its historical and cultural ties to this area. Slovenia, one of the smallest countries in the world, is incredibly diverse because it is situated where four different geographical regions converge.
| Area: 20,271 sq km | Capital: Ljubljana |
| Population: 2,095,861 (2020) | Currency: Euro |
Similar to Slovenia, Croatia has been attempting to stand alone since the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991. And – not surprisingly – is doing pretty well at it. Croatia’s most notable feature is its longest and most beautiful coastline, which has contributed to the growth of a thriving tourism industry that welcomes 20 million visitors annually. That is quite an achievement for a nation of only four million people. In the past, summer travelers from Central and Eastern Europe were the main visitors to Croatia, but in more recent years, the country has grown to become a well-liked vacation spot with upscale amenities for travelers from all over the world. It’s no secret that elite football players and Hollywood celebrities enjoy spending their summers in Dubrovnik or Hvar. But Croatia is more than just its islands and beaches. It has numerous charming historic towns and great nature protected by no less than eight national parks.
| Area: 56,594 sq km | Capital: Zagreb |
| Population: 4,058,165 (2020) | Currency: Euro |
Bosnia and Herzegovina might be the vey first of the Balkan countries you think about. Unfortunately, the country’s name still has negative connotations today because it was the epicenter of the violent Yugoslav Wars that led to the breakup of Yugoslavia. One of the reasons for the terrible outcome lies in the incredible ethical diversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The three main national and religious minorities of the common country coexisted peacefully from the time of its founding, but after nationalism gained traction, things got chaotic. The three ethnic groups—Bosniaks, Muslims; Serbs, Orthodox Christians; and Croats, Catholics—appears to have found common ground and a way to coexist in this intriguing country with an abundance of freshwater resources, steep mountain ridges, and delicious cuisine, despite the fact that the war produced no meaningful answers. Bosnia should definitely be on your travel wish-list if you are looking for authentic experiences.
| Area: 51,129 sq km | Capital: Sarajevo |
| Population: 3,301,000 (2019) | Currency: Convertible mark |