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Balkans Definition and Geography
- The Balkans region consists mainly of countries from the former Yugoslavia plus Albania, excluding Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Romania for this episode's focus.
- The region is named after the Balkan Mountains, but the term applies more broadly to southeastern Europe.
Slavic Migration Impact
- Slavic migrations in the 7th and 8th centuries profoundly shaped the Balkans, displacing or absorbing locals like Greeks, Illyrians, and Thracians.
- The term Yugoslavia literally means "land of the southern Slavs," reflecting this demographic impact.
Ottoman and Post-War Balkan History
- The Ottoman Empire controlled the Balkans for centuries, losing grip only in the 19th century during nationalist uprisings.
- After World War I, the Kingdom of Yugoslavia was created, lasting until WWII, and later both Albania and Yugoslavia became communist states with independent communist paths.