The Balkans is the easternmost European peninsula out of the three great southern Peninsulas (Iberian and the Italian). What is interesting about the Balkans is that there is no universal definition on the countries that are included. Some define it by history and culture, others by geography, but even historians and geographers have different interpretations. It is a region of turbulent history, beautiful culture, diverse ethnicity, and astonishing nature.
The word Balkan in Turkish means ``mountain`` and it is a suitable word for this peninsula given that it is dominated by this kind of landscape, especially in the west. The term is stated for the first time in Hungarian sources from the 12th century. It was used mainly during the time of the Ottoman Empire.
Bulgaria is the leading exporter of rose oil and the world’s fifth largest exporter of wine.
The lake Ohrid, in Macedonia is the oldest lake in Europe. It is believed it is 4million years old and has more than 200 endemic species.
Montenegro is a country characterized by black forest mountains, thus it gained the Serbian name Crna Gora (Black Mountain)
Known for being an eccentric genius, famous for developing alternating current (AC), electronic oscillators and the Tesla Coil, Nikola Tesla was born in Croatia by Serbian parents.
Bosnia had developed rapidly under the Austrian-Hungarian Empire, and became the first country in Europe to have a full-time tram.
Rakija is a brandy like spirit (40%+). Often households have their own family recipe and home brewery and use it as a welcome drink. Watch out! Homemade rakijas are often far stronger than those bought in shops.
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