東歐崛起

作者：阮素琴 / Grace S. Ruan



　　 繼中國在世界經濟舞臺受到全球矚目之際，印度的能見度與快速發展潛力也成為世界焦點。同樣地，東歐保存完整的天然資源與躍進的國家發展也正在拉近與西歐的距離，尤其在加入歐盟後更使其經濟與市場地位向前邁進。因此，筆者今年特別前往已加入歐盟的捷克和斯洛伐克，以及2007年年初正式成為歐盟成員的羅馬尼亞和保加利亞，希望與讀者分享這四大東歐國家的民情風俗以及建築藝術。

　　隨著加入歐盟，讓這四國的市場更擴大、競爭力更大幅提升，無論經濟、建設、教育改革、國民所得與觀光發展都加速發展中。

　　羅馬尼亞和保加利亞相鄰，都有一小段海岸線濱臨黑海，兩國人民生活習慣相似，有85%以上的人信奉東正教，吉普賽人居多、林木多，以農業為主，也有礦產、化學及勞力輸出西歐，近年物價不斷提高，生活水平也在磨合和改善中。

　　捷克與斯洛伐克在1993年初正式分離，各自成立捷克共和國和斯洛伐克共和國。有百塔城市之稱的布拉格，不僅是波西米亞文化中心，更是旅遊經典，中世紀建築保存完整，更有「建築博物館」美稱；捷克人很少進教堂，屬無神論；當地平原較多，最高的山僅1,600公尺；兩國都有溫泉療法，深受風濕和關節疾病患者的喜愛。

　　斯洛伐克人口約540萬，約為捷克的一半，70%以上的人信奉天主教，過去大家都將斯洛伐克定位為農業國，事實上斯洛伐克在汽車發展非常積極，尤其提供許多就業機會，並帶動其經濟快速發展。斯洛伐克天然資源也很豐富，山勢險峻，層次分明，其中Tatra是其最高峰，有2,655公尺，是滑雪與攀巖、騎自行車和旅遊最理想的地方。而遠近馳名的皮耶施加尼（Piestany）溫泉城，因含有硫磺泉泥，被稱為世界上品質最好的坐骨神經痛治療良方。

　　僅管比不上西歐的繁榮先進，但東歐隨著經濟成長蓄勢待發、備受矚目，人民素質與與生活水平不斷提升與改善，歷史文化與景觀建築扣人心弦，山川風光綺麗怡人，近年來也吸引許多觀光客前去尋幽訪勝。東歐的美，你一定要親自走一遭才能深刻體驗！

The Eastern European Renaissance

China continues to be center stage in the world’s economy. India is erupting onstage and developing rapidly. This country has also become a focus of attention. Especially since they became members of the E.U. This has stimulated their economies and status tremendously. Therefore we specially chose to investigate these countries this year-Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia experiencing these four countries different customs, scenery and architecture.

After they joined the E.U. they expanded their markets and people were free to travel anywhere in the 27 E.U. countries. The economy, construction, and education were revolutionized. Their G.D.Ps and the development of tourism are improving.

Romania and Bulgaria are next to each other. They both are next to the Black Sea. They have many things in common, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church (around 85% of their populations belong), many gypsies, huge forests, and active steel and chemical industries. But they are mostly agricultural. A lot of their young people have emigrated to Western Europe to earn foreign currency to send home. Inflation, however, has increased a lot. So their lives are adjusting and improving.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia separated in 1993. They each became separate republics, whilst before they had been one single country. As far as religion goes, most people in the Czech Republic are atheist, whereas 80% of the people in Slovakia are Roman Catholic.

Prague, which means “city of a hundred towers” is also a cultural centre in Posmia, as well as the capital of the Czech Republic, and a big tourist attraction. It also has an architectural museum called the Architecture Museum. Most of the Czech Republic is flat. The highest mountain is only 1600 metres high. Both countries have spa resorts for curing rheumatism and arthritis.

Slovakia’s population is around 5.4 million people. The Czech Republic has around double that many. In the past, most people thought Slovakia was an agricultural country, but Slovakia has a car manufacturing industry which has grown their economy rapidly. The car industry in Slovakia offers many job opportunities. It has also led the country’s economic growth. Piestany Spa in Slovakia is the best quality sulphur spa in the world. It cures arthritis and rheumatic complaints. Slovakia has plenty of natural resources. It has many high and rugged mountains. Mount Tatra is the highest at 2,655 meters. It is a good place for skiing, rock climbing and cycling.

Since those four countries economies' and standard of living have improved considerably, they have begun to worry that they will face competition from neighbouring countries such as the Ukraine, which will affect their ability to compete. They believe that in the future, these four Eastern European countries will continue to attract global visitors for tourism and trade.

My trip was a working holiday, and I did not have time to see everything. I am sure there are many other places worth visiting in these four countries.