Redirected from Baltics
The Baltic states is a term which usually refers to three countries bordering the Baltic Sea:
Prior to World War II Finland was often considered as the fourth Baltic state. For example, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact included Finland as one of the Baltic States. Nowadays Finland is one of the Nordic countries.
|
The term Baltic states differs from the term Baltic sea countries which refers to the countries bordering the Baltic.
In the 18th century the Baltic States were a part of the Russian Empire. The Baltic States gained their indepedence in the aftermath of World War I. In the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact the Nazi Germany allowed the Soviet Union to annex the Baltic States. A short period of Soviet occupation was followed by the German invasion. After World War II the Baltic States were annexed again by the Soviet Union.
The Baltic states did in 2002 achieve the opportunity to realize a long standing political goal, integration with Western Europe. The main political objective since their independence from the Soviet Union, more than a decade ago has been to gain rights of membership to both the European Union and NATO. Membership in the EU is scheduled for May 2004 pending the outcome of the referendums to be held in the candidate countries.
Due to a long period of Germanic domination, starting in middle ages, a large part of the old generation still speak German as a second language. The Baltic states has historically also been under Swedish and Russian spheres of influence. Following the period of Soviet domination, ethnic Russians today make up a sizable minority in the Baltic states.
See also: Tourism in the Baltics
Search Encyclopedia
|
Featured Article
|