List of Balkan Countries: Regional Overview

Balkan Countries Overview

Introduction to Balkan Countries

The Balkans, nestled in Southeast Europe, is a colorful patchwork of countries, each with its own story to tell. You’ve got Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia all huddled up close. Oh, and don’t forget about the bit of Turkey that sneaks in there too (Britannica).

List of Balkan Countries:

Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Greece
Kosovo
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Romania
Serbia
Slovenia
Turkey (European part)

Depending on who you ask, places like parts of Hungary and Moldova might also pop up in this list due to sharing some cultural and historical vibes (Wikipedia).

Geographical and Cultural Composition

The Balkans boasts a mix of craggy mountains and coastline galore, with the Adriatic, Ionian, and Black Seas doing their thing on the edges. This mix makes for a range of climates and wildlife across the place.

Geographical Highlights:

Mountains: The Dinaric Alps, Balkan range, and Rhodope Mountains are the biggies.
Rivers: The Danube, Sava, and Drina cut through these lands.
Coastlines: There’s the Adriatic (Croatia, Montenegro), Ionian (Albania), and Black (Bulgaria, Romania) making waves.

Country	Mountain Ranges	Major Rivers	Coastlines
Albania	Albanian Alps	Drin	Adriatic, Ionian
Bosnia & Herzegovina	Dinaric Alps	Sava, Drina	Adriatic
Bulgaria	Balkan Mountains	Danube, Maritsa	Black Sea
Croatia	Dinaric Alps	Sava	Adriatic
Greece	Pindus Mountains	Achelous	Aegean, Ionian
North Macedonia	Šar Mountains	Vardar	N/A
Romania	Carpathians	Danube	Black Sea
Serbia	Dinaric Alps	Danube, Sava	N/A
Slovenia	Julian Alps	Sava, Drava	Adriatic

Culturally, it’s a glorious mishmash, thanks to the influence of the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian Empires. These old civilizations left their mark on local tongues, faiths, and festivities.

Cultural Composition:

Languages: There’s a swirl of Slavic tongues (like Serbian, Croatian, and Slovene), some Romance (Romanian), and bits of Albanian and Greek.
Religions: Eastern Orthodox Christianity shines in Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece; Roman Catholicism finds a place in Croatia and Slovenia; while Islam holds sway in Kosovo, Albania, and Bosnia.

Check out more of our stuff on the list of european countries and the list of schengen countries for the big picture on how the Balkans fits into Europe’s mosaic.

Western Balkans and EU Relations

EU Integration Process

The EU’s got the Western Balkans on the agenda, dedicating political and financial resources to help nudge their reform game in the right direction (European External Action Service). Countries like Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Albania find themselves at different stops on this EU-acceleration train.

Montenegro and Serbia are deep in those accession chats.
North Macedonia and Albania kicked off their EU gabfest back in March 2020.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are eyeing EU membership with hopeful hearts.

These countries are hustling, tweaking policies and laws to match up with what the EU wants. Folks and businesses are diving into EU gigs like Erasmus+ and Creative Europe, stitching the region tighter to the EU fabric.

Country	EU Membership Status
Montenegro	Accession Talks
Serbia	Accession Talks
North Macedonia	Negotiations Opened
Albania	Negotiations Opened
Bosnia and Herzegovina	Potential Candidate
Kosovo	Potential Candidate

Trade and Economic Ties

Trade’s the name of the game, and it’s key for lifting up the Western Balkans. EU businesses are top dogs here, throwing down over 65% of the foreign cash flowing into the region in 2018 (European External Action Service). These relations are snug thanks to a bunch of agreements and initiatives boosting trade and investment.

The EU isn’t shy about cutting those checks either, kicking in big bucks to back reforms needed in the Western Balkans. These changes aim to spice up the local market scene, hoping to lure even more investors.

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Plus, the EU’s into modernizing infrastructure and bettering local connections, making trade smoother within the region and with the EU. This bond not only boosts Balkan economies but slots them closer into Europe’s economic groove.

By working their tails off to tick the boxes for EU membership, Western Balkan countries are charting their course to a future nestled within the European Union, promising financial calm, expansion, and tighter sociopolitical ties. Find more on how these economies stand at list of countrys economic status.

Schengen Area and Visa Policies

So you’re planning a jaunt through the Balkan region and maybe a little jaunt around Europe, eh? Knowing how the Schengen Area and all those pesky visa details work is a must before you pack your bags. Let’s break down visa-free travel and what it takes to slip into the Schengen Zone without a hitch.

Visa-Free Travel

Good news: a bunch of countries in the Balkans got the all-clear for visa-free traipsing around the Schengen Area. Starting December 2009, folks from North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia could wander through without a visa. By November 2010, neighbors Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the party. Thanks to this fancy exemption, citizens from these spots can explore Schengen lands for a bit without dealing with the whole visa rigmarole.

Country	Visa-Free Since
North Macedonia	December 2009
Montenegro	December 2009
Serbia	December 2009
Albania	November 2010
Bosnia and Herzegovina	November 2010

What’s Schengen, you ask? It’s a posse of 27 European countries that have tossed passport checks and the like right out the window when it comes to their mutual borders. Dive into our list of schengen countries for the whole lineup.

Schengen Entry Requirements

Visa-free jaunts are great, but don’t toss your hat in the ring just yet. You gotta tick off a few boxes to step into the Schengen Zone. Here’s the lowdown:

Make sure your passport plays nice and has at least three months on it after your European adventure ends.
You need some cash to back up your stay – how much? Enough to keep you comfy.
Don’t leave home without travel insurance; it should cover medical surprises and a ticket home with a bare minimum of €30,000.
A return ticket, itinerary, or something like it that says when you’re planning to skedaddle back home.

Ah, but there’s more! Want proof of why you’re visiting? Think accommodation receipts or a very polite letter inviting you over.

Remember, that Schengen clock’s ticking: 90 days is your max in any 180-day window as a visa-free visitor. Overstay, and you might find yourself in hot water or even blacklisted on future trips. If you’re curious (or just being cautious) about what’s what in Schengen land, poke around our list of schengen countries.

Keeping these entry checkboxes in mind makes sure your European escapades stay smooth sailing. For more travel tidbits, peek at our list of european countries and see where else you can skip the visa dance when leaving the UK at list of countries no visa required uk.

Specific Balkan Nations

Croatia’s EU Membership

Croatia became the first among seven Western Balkan countries to jump aboard the EU train. This big moment happened on July 1, 2013 (European Parliament). Croatians got a lot out of this deal: shopping in a huge market, snagging funds for new projects, and bringing in foreign investors. Plus, their folks can now zip around Europe without a visa, opening doors for jobs and study.

Serbia’s EU Accession Progress

Serbia’s been hustling toward that EU dream. They put in their application back in December 2009 and scored a spot on the candidate list by March 2012. Real talk started on January 21, 2014 (European Parliament). Serbia’s already cracked open 22 out of the 35 must-have chapters, covering things like money matters, court overhauls, and standing up for human rights. This shows they’re keen on following the EU playbook.

Albania and North Macedonia Negotiations

Albania and North Macedonia are also in the queue. Both have been making moves with the EU since talks kicked off in March 2020 (European External Action Service).

Albania

Albania’s got candidate status and it’s all hands on deck to hit those EU targets like fixing up courts, curbing corruption, and respecting human rights. Nailing these changes is crucial for their EU membership ambitions.

North Macedonia

North Macedonia, the artist formerly known as Macedonia, tackled some major roadblocks, like a spat over their name with Greece, which was holding them back from the EU. Clearing up that mess and making other tweaks puts them on the path to EU possibilities.

Country	EU Candidate Status	Accession Negotiations Opened	Chapters Opened
Croatia	Joined on July 1, 2013	N/A	N/A
Serbia	March 2012	January 21, 2014	22 out of 35
Albania	Candidate	March 2020	N/A
North Macedonia	Candidate	March 2020	N/A

This chart gives a peek into how these Western Balkan nations are advancing in their EU adventure. If you’re curious about who’s already in the club, swing by our list of EU countries.

Getting a handle on each country’s steps toward the EU helps paint a clearer picture of how the whole neighborhood is shaping up. For insights on economic standing and more, check out our list of countries by GDP.

Complexities in the Balkans

Unresolved Border Disputes

The Balkan Peninsula, bustling with cultural flavors, fights its share of tangled problems—kinda like a soap opera, but real. Chief among these are the punch-ups over who owns which patch of land. You’ve got nations carved from the old Yugoslavia squabbling, current EU and NATO pals, and even eager applicants longing to join the EU club (GIS Reports Online).

Serbia-Kosovo Beef: The stickiest of these disputes is between Serbia and Kosovo. Without even bothering to maintain eye contact, these two have no official diplomatic chats—kinda like blocking each other on social media; it ain’t getting settled anytime soon.
Serbia-Croatia Tiff: Now this one is more about who owns what line on the map from the Yugoslavia breakup days. Not gonna lie, they haven’t quite figured it out yet.
Slovenia and Croatia’s Wet Argument: Over at Piran Bay, Slovenia and Croatia squabble over a 670-kilometer stretch of sea. Despite trying to play nice with agreements and court sentences, they’ve not wrapped it up yet, making Brussels raise an eyebrow or two.
Greece vs. Albania: Picture this—Ionian Sea borders are contested, sprinkled with some fiery property claims from Cham Albanians. Economically speaking, these waters might be swimming in $20 billion worth of goodies over two decades (GIS Reports Online).

Historical and Cultural Throwback

Balkans ain’t just about geography; it’s a web of history and culture thick as grandma’s blanket. It’s got past wars, epic fallouts, and history books heavy with unresolved dramas that continue to cause headaches.

The Missing and the Moved: Back in the day, conflicts left many folks missing or forced to pack up and say goodbye to their homelands. It’s like someone emptied the neighborhood—really tough for anyone trying to hash out who’s land it actually is.
Economic Rifts: These border issues shake the economy hard. For instance, Greece and Albania’s sea dispute messes with everything from pulling out resources to doing regular trade.
Europe’s VIP Club: Everyone in the Balkans is eyeing the EU with hope. But if these border spats keep hanging around like bad memories, new sign-ups to the EU are gonna be slower than a Monday morning. The Bigwigs at the European Commission want peace, pronto (GIS Reports Online).

So, there you have it, a region drenched in unresolved border battles and historical whirlwinds shaping its present story. For those who want to take a deeper dive into similar topics, why not check our other reads on: list of EU countries, list of NATO countries, and the list of countries by GDP.

Economic Pulse of the Balkans

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Snapshot

In the Balkans, the economic vibe is a mixed bag. Some countries have reached the high-income bracket with a GDP per capita over $12K — we’re talking about Croatia, Romania, Greece, and Slovenia here. They’re doing pretty well for themselves. But some neighbors like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo are still working their way up, with numbers hanging between $5K to $7K. Slovenia’s at the top with a GDP per capita cruising past $29,000. Not too shabby (Wikipedia).

Check out the GDP per capita for a few Balkan countries:

Country	GDP per Capita (USD)
Slovenia	29,000
Croatia	12,000
Romania	12,000
Greece	12,000
Bosnia and Herzegovina	7,000
Albania	6,000
North Macedonia	5,500
Kosovo	5,000

For more tidbits on economic figures from different spots, hit up our list of countries by GDP.

Income Differences and Joblessness

In the Balkans, income disparity and joblessness draw big lines in the sand. The Gini coefficient’s like a detective here, sniffing out income disparities. You’ll find that Albania, Bulgaria, and Serbia have more evenly spread cash, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is still trying to catch up, with some noticeable income gaps (Wikipedia).

Country	Gini Coefficient
Albania	27.8
Bulgaria	28.2
Serbia	29.1
Bosnia and Herzegovina	33.5

Job stats show quite the roller coaster as well. Romania and Bulgaria are chilling at around a 5% unemployment rate, but Kosovo’s seen 25% of its folks struggling to find work (Wikipedia).

Country	Unemployment Rate (%)
Romania	5
Bulgaria	5
Croatia	8
Greece	9
Bosnia and Herzegovina	18
Albania	11
North Macedonia	17
Kosovo	25

To dig up more dirt on economic situations, click over to our list of countries by economic status.

Digging into these numbers gives a peek into what makes the Balkan economies tick. GDP stats, income gaps, and unemployment paint a vivid picture of how life looks across the region. For a wider view of the map, see our list of countries in Europe.

Capital Cities in the Balkans

Exploring the capital cities of the Balkans unlocks a treasure chest of cultural, historical, and economic knowledge. Two captivating examples are Belgrade in Serbia and Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia’s bustling capital, sits proudly where the Danube and Sava rivers meet, famous for nightlife that can rival the very best, packed with historic beauty and lively events (Veganderlust). This city is like a kaleidoscope, mixing ancient fortresses, sleek modern structures, and energetic markets.

In Belgrade, the must-sees are:

Fortress: Majestic Belgrade Fortress that offers breathtaking views of the cityscapes and water’s edge.
Knez Mihailova Street: A lively avenue, perfect for a stroll among shops, cafes, and art spots.
Skadarlija: The bohemian quarter where you can wander cobblestone streets and savor Serbian dishes in cozy venues.

Feature	Description
Location	Meeting point of Danube and Sava rivers
Population	Around 1.4 million folks
Known for	Wild nights, fiestas, and old forts

Wanna know more about European cities? Check out the list of European countries.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo, the heart of Bosnia and Herzegovina, carries a story-rich history, woven with the threads of different empires and conflict. Known for its mosaic of faiths, the city houses Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, and Islamic gems all close by (Veganderlust).

In Sarajevo, you can’t miss:

Baščaršija: The ancient bazaar and cultural hub; a place where past and present dance together.
Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque: A monumental piece of Islamic heritage.
Latin Bridge: Where the shot that sparked World War I happened, a tale etched in its stones.

Feature	Description
Historical Influence	Stories of empires and skirmishes
Religious Landscape	A colorful spectrum (Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic)
Known for	Historic allure, cultural melting pot

Looking for diverse cultural hubs? Peek at the list of Spanish-speaking capitals.

Both Belgrade and Sarajevo brim with the vibrancy and depth that make the Balkans such a fascinating patchwork. Exploring these cities broadens your appreciation of this region’s rich cultural and historical layers.

Experiencing Balkan Capitals

When you wander through the capitals of the Balkan region, you get a fascinating peek into the unique history and culture of these vibrant areas. Must-see cities include Zagreb in Croatia and Ljubljana in Slovenia. Each capital serves up a delightful mix of old-world charm alongside contemporary comforts, making them must-visit stops for those with a traveling itch.

Zagreb, Croatia

Zagreb, Croatia’s crowning city, offers a laid-back vibe among its charming streets. While it may not scream tourist hot spots like some other European places, it packs one-of-a-kind experiences. Pop into the intriguing Museum of Broken Relationships for a window into the heartfelt stories of folks from every corner of the globe.

Apart from its emotional exhibits, this city is celebrated for its outdoor seating culture, perfect for a casual wander with a side of people-watching.

Quick Facts about Zagreb

Country: Croatia
Population: 800,000
Annual Visitors: Around 20 million (Ekorna)

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Step into Ljubljana and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a storybook world, with brightly painted buildings, lively street art, and its pedestrian-only zones. The city boasts attractions like the towering Ljubljana Castle with its breathtaking views, and the Dragon Bridge, guarded by its legendary dragon statues. Famous architect Jože Plečnik left his mark here too, and his architectural flair is evident throughout.

Quick Facts about Ljubljana

Country: Slovenia
Population: 280,000
Highlights: Ljubljana Castle, Dragon Bridge, Jože Plečnik’s House

City	Country	Population	Highlights
Zagreb	Croatia	800,000	Museum of Broken Relationships
Ljubljana	Slovenia	280,000	Ljubljana Castle, Dragon Bridge, Plečnik’s House

Feel free to dive into our list of Balkan countries if you’re curious about the area’s mix. And if your wanderlust extends across Europe, check out our extensive list of European countries.