What divides eastern and western Europe?

The most common line of division between Eastern and Western Europe is the former Iron Curtain, which separated the Soviet Bloc from the capitalist West during the Cold War. This division was based on political and ideological differences, with the Eastern Bloc countries being aligned with the Soviet Union and the Western countries being aligned with the United States.

Since the end of the Cold War, the dividing line between Eastern and Western Europe has become less distinct. Many countries in Eastern Europe have joined the European Union and NATO, and there has been increasing economic and cultural integration between the two regions. However, some differences still remain, particularly in terms of economic development and political systems.

In general, Eastern Europe is considered to be less economically developed than Western Europe, and the countries in the region have a lower GDP per capita. There are also some differences in political systems, with some Eastern European countries still struggling to consolidate their democracies. However, these differences are gradually diminishing, and the region is becoming increasingly integrated with the rest of Europe.