BALTIC STATEUNIT 5

Lithuania-Speak similar language to Latvia8 million total people in all three countries

Latvia

Estonia-Language related to Finnish

Baltic States

Most Estonians and Latvians are Lutheran

Lithuanians mostly Roman Catholic

Russians make up most of population of Latvia and Estonia

Relgion and Culture

Location along the sea is important

Sometimes it has hurt them due to power struggles between countries around them

Part of Soviet Communist block

Location

Under soviet rule life was harsh

Strategic location important to Russia

Many people forced out by Russia

1991 gained Independence

Soviet Republics

Ethnic diversity is a challenge

Latvians want to limit Russian influence

Privatization has gone well in the three Baltic states

Challenges

Industry is growing in the region

Estonia-service industry and mining, ship building and manufacturing

Lithuania food processing and manufacturing

Latvia produces care, pharmaceuticals and electric equipment

Economy

Kiev the capital and has close historical ties to Russia

Ukraine has been dominated by various foreign powers: Mongols, Lithuania, and Poland

Most Ukrainians are of the Orthodox church

UKRAINE

Suffered harshly under Soviet rule

Many resisted the Russians

Under Soviet Rule

50 million in population- reaffirmed its independence

Just smaller than Texas in size

Great farming in the region Wheat, barley, rye and potatoes

Since Independence

Difficult at times

Large Natural gas and Oil deposits

Industry in Ukraine

Belarus

Moldova