Southeast Europe

Southeast Europe, also called Southeastern Europe, is a part of the continent that includes mainly the Balkans and nearby areas. Because of history, culture, and politics, people do not always agree on which lands belong to this region.

Countries and areas often included are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and the European part of Turkey. Sometimes Cyprus, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovenia are also added because of their culture or history.

Some of the biggest cities in this area are Istanbul, Athens, Bucharest, Sofia, and Belgrade.

Definition

The term "Southeast Europe" was first used by an Austrian researcher named Johann Georg von Hahn. He used it to describe a larger area than just the Balkans.

Over time, the term "Southeast Europe" has become more popular than "Balkans."

Different groups define Southeast Europe in different ways. Some follow country borders, while others look at cultural ties. For example, the Standing Committee on Geographical Names includes countries like Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia. The CIA World Factbook includes Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and a part of Turkey called East Thrace.

Notable groupings of states

• The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe brought together many countries in the area to work together.
• The South-East European Cooperation Process helps countries in the region share ideas and support each other.
• The Southeast European Cooperative Initiative focuses on projects that help improve life in these countries.
• The Southeast European Law Enforcement Center supports police work in many nations in the area.
• The EU-co-funded South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Programme helps many countries, including some outside the region, work together.
• The Police Cooperation Convention for Southeast Europe helps police from different countries share information.
• Reports from the World Bank sometimes list certain countries as part of South Eastern Europe.
• A report from the World Health Organization and the Council of Europe Development Bank also named some countries in the area as South Eastern European.
• The World Bank sometimes reports on just a few countries in the region.
• The UNHCR focuses its regional work on several countries in South Eastern Europe.