The Countries of Europe.
1. Socialist and Capitalist States
There are 26 large and small states in Europe (the smallest excluded). They are divided into two large groups of states—socialist and capitalist.
2. Poland. Geographical Position and Natural Features
Geographical Position. The Polish People's Republic covers an area of 312,000 square kilometres between the Baltic Sea in the north and the Carpathian Mountains in the south. After World War II Poland received back the lands which had been seized from her by the German feudal lords in the Middle
3. Population and Economic Activities
The population of the Polish People's Republic constitutes 30,000,000 people and is composed mainly of Poles. The density is considerable: 96 persons to the square kilometre.
4. Czechoslovakia. Geographical Position and Natural Features
The Socialist Republic of Czechoslovakia lies south of Poland, in the very centre of Europe. It is over 300 kilometres distant from the nearest seas. Czechoslovakia covers an area of 128,000 square kilometres
5. Population and Economic Activities
The population of Czechoslovakia is 14,000,000 and is composed mainly of Czechs and Slovaks. These are two Slavonic peoples with kindred languages and traditions. A few Hungarians live in the southern part of the country, close to the Hungarian border.
6. The German Democratic Republic
After the defeat of fascist Germany in World War II (1939— 1945), German territory was occupied by the troops of the allied powers—the Soviet Union, the United States of America, Great Britain and France. In 1949, the latter three powers together with the German capitalists established the German Federal Republic (GFR)
7. Hungary and Rumania
The Hungarian People's Republic has no sea boundaries. Across its territory flows the Danube, linking it with the neighbouring countries. Like Czechoslovakia, Hungary has a short common boundary with the Soviet Union.
8. Bulgaria and Alhania
The People's Republic of Bulgaria is situated to the south of Rumania, on the right bank of the Danube. It numbers over 8,000,000 people, mainly members of the South Slavonic group. They speak the Bulgarian language, which has much in common with Russian.
9. Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia lies in the north-western part of the Balkan Peninsula. It has a long and deeply indented coastline along the Adriatic Sea, In the north it is crossed by the Danube, an extremely important trade route connecting Yugoslavia with the neighbouring countries of Central Europe.
10. Great Britain. Geographical Position and Natural Features
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland comprises the Island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the Island of Ireland
11. Population and Economic Activities
The majority of the population of Great Britain are Englishmen. The modern English language is the descendant of the Anglo-Saxon, the language of the Germanic tribes—the Angles and Saxons.
12. France. Geographical Position and Natural Features
France occupies a territory of 551,000 square kilometres and is the second largest country in Europe after the U.S.S.R. It is twice the size of Great Britain.
13. Population and Economic Activities
The majority of the population of France are Frenchmen. The French nation is a member of the Romanic group and was formed as a result of a mixture between the ancient Celtic inhabitants of the country
14. The German Federal Republic
The German Federal Republic covers an area of 248,000 square kilometres and is a highly developed capitalist country. In the east it borders on socialist countries, in the south and west—on capitalist.
15. Italy and the Countries of Southern Europe
Italy is a large capitalist country stretching from the southern slopes of the Alps and the depression at their foot across the entire Apennine Peninsula.
16. The Smaller Countries of Central and Western Europe
In the heart of Europe among the Alps are placed two small countries—Switzerland (capital Bern) and Austria (capital Vienna, situated on the Danube; see your Atlas).
17. The Countries of Northern Europe
The countries of Northern Europe are thinly populated (Denmark excepted), but economically highly developed.
Finland (capital Helsinki), the so-called 'country of rocks, lakes and forests', is situated on the coast of the Baltic Sea.
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