Eastern Europe, as the UN groups it, has ten countries, from Poland and Czechia in the middle of Europe to Russia, the largest country on Earth. Several are landlocked, a word from Landlocked Countries.
Key idea
In the west: Poland, Czechia (the Czech Republic), Slovakia and Hungary. To the southeast: Romania, Bulgaria and Moldova. To the east: Belarus, Ukraine and Russia, which stretches across Europe and northern Asia.
Why it works
Russia counts as a European country because its capital and most of its people are west of the Ural Mountains, in Europe, even though most of its land is in Asia. Czechia and Slovakia were one country, Czechoslovakia, until they split peacefully in 1993, which is why they share a long border.
Worked example: Slovakia or Slovenia?
Which one borders Czechia?
- Slovakia is in Central Europe, east of Czechia and north of Hungary.
- Slovenia is far to the southwest, on the Adriatic next to Italy.
Answer: Slovakia.
Worked example: The Black Sea coast
Which countries of Eastern Europe have a coast on the Black Sea?
- Go around the sea: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Russia.
- Moldova comes close but has no coast.
Answer: Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Russia.
Common mistake
Slovakia and Slovenia have almost the same name. Slovakia is next to Czechia (they were once one country); Slovenia is on the Adriatic, next to Italy and Croatia. A trick: Slovakia has a "k", like the Czech Republic's neighbor.