Albania
The first settlers of Albania were the Illyrians, in about 2000 BC. They were then conquered by the Romans, then joined the Byzantine Empire when conquered by the Ottomans. During this time, many converted to Islam. Albania had many fights for independence but finally became a country in the beginning of the 20th century. During World War II, Germany and Italy occupied Albania and it became communist. Communism continued in Albania until 1992.
Andorra
Andorra was actually created as a “buffer state” by Charlemagne to protect France from the Moors. Andorra was fought over by Spain and France until they decided to share it. It is landlocked country but does alright in an economic sense, relying on the tourism industry.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia & Herzegovina was originally a part of the Roman Empire, then was a part of the Ottoman Empire until 1463. It was taken over by the Austria-Hungary empire until post World War I. It then merged with Yugoslavia, which then became communist. Bosnia suffered during this time because of clashing cultures and broke away in April 1992.
Croatia
Croatia was settled by the Croats around 500 AD. They were independent for a while, but chose to join the Hungarian Empire with the Pacta Conventa agreement. They later joined the Habsburg empire after fear broke out over the expanding Ottoman Empire. In the late 1800s, Croatia joined Hungary again until World War II, when they joined Yugoslavia, WWII brought many hardships for Croatia under Axis rule. After communism lost popularity in the area, Yugoslavia became dangerous and chaotic, causing Croatia to declare independence. Civil war broke out until 1995, when a peace treaty was signed recognizing Croatia as a country.
Greece
Ancient Greek history is divided into three periods-- the Archaic Period, Classical Period, and Hellenistic Period. The Archaic Period began at the start of the civilization and ended when democracy was introduced. The Olympic Games began and The Odyssey was written during this time. In the Classical Period, democracy ruled. Socrates, Plato, and Alexander the Great were prominent in this time. The Hellenistic Period began with the death of Alexander the Great and ended when Greece was conquered by Rome.
Italy
The Roman Empire began in 735 BC and expanded until it fell in 476 AD because of the death of Augustus, their emperor. Italy faced war during the Middle Ages until the end of the 11th century. At this time, trade began to flourish again. The Renaissance followed the Middle Ages, a time of learning and the arts. The Medici family were huge patrons of the arts and allowed artists like Michelangelo to succeed. Information began to spread more efficiently due to the invention of the printing press. This time of success was followed by foreign invasion, by France, Spain, and Germany. Italy finally became a country in 1861.
Malta
Malta was originally built on by the Phoenicians and the Carthaginians, but became part of the Roman Empire later on. The Byzantine Empire took control in 533 AD, then was taken by the Arabs in 870. Count Roger of Normandy seized Malta and the Normans ruled. Later, the Knights of St. John were given the island and became the Knights of Malta. The French took control briefly, but were expelled with the help of the UK. Malta then joined the British empire but became independent in 1964.
Montenegro
Montenegro was named during the 1400s, and resisted the Ottoman Empire for years. It was a theocracy up until 1852, when the church and state separated. It joined Yugoslavia after WWI, but joined a federation with Serbia after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Montenegro became its own nation in 2006.
Portugal
Portugal was settled by the Celtics, but joined the Roman Empire from 45 to 298 AD. After the Moors invaded, the Reconquista period began and lasted for many years. Portugal was majorly involved in exploration and established colonies all around the globe. A dictator took power for many years and Portugal’s power dropped, until the military took control and made extreme reforms.
San Marino
In 301 AD, San Marino was founded by a Christian stonemason fleeing persecution. After he found a small community on Mt. Titano, it was named San Marino after him. It expanded later because of a shared enemy of the Lord of Rimini.
Serbia
Serbia’s first inhabitants include the Thracians, Dacians, and Illyrians. It later joined the Roman Empire, bearing the emperor Constantine I. It was founded in 1170 AD but taken over by the Ottoman Empire in the 1400s. Serbia fought for independence after 300 years under the Turks. It was occupied by the Austria-Hungary empire during WWI.
Slovenia
Slovenia was a democracy for a thousand years. It was then a part of the Habsburg Empire from the 1300s until 1918. It became a part of Yugoslavia until it began to collapse after the fall of the Soviet Union. Slovenia then became independent and has a stable government and economy.
Spain
The El Argar civilization was the first to form in Spain. Others followed, but Spain was ruled by the Roman Empire in 19 BCE. In 711, Muslims began to come to Spain and spread Islam. The Christians fought back during the Reconquista, and reconquer the area. The Spanish Inquisition, where heretics and non-Christians were persecuted, began in 1478. In 1492, Christopher Columbus’ journey to the New World was funded by Queen Isabella, preceding the conquering of many Latin American empires. From 1936 to 1939, Spain had a Civil War between the Nationalists and the Republicans. Spain remained neutral in both WWI and WWII. In the late 1970s, Spain began to become democratic and joined the EU in 1986.
Former Yugloslav Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia has been under many different empires. The region has been controlled by the Greeks, Roman Empire, Byzantine Empire, and Ottoman Empire over the years. It became a part of Yugoslavia, which had many disputes and issues. Yugoslavia collapsed after the fall of the Soviet Union because of its communist affiliations and Macedonia gained independence in 1991.