Section: World Geography

18) Which country has a history of the most ethnic conflict?

1. Australia
2. Brazil
3. Canada
4. Yugoslavia

At the end of the twentieth century no region of the world better illustrated ethnic conflict than that of the Balkan countries formerly united as Yugoslavia. The term ethnic refers to a group of people recognized by certain characteristics, such as culture, national origin, ancestral history, or certain physical traits. Ethnic prejudice and violence became so dramatic in the region that the term ethnic cleansing was commonly used for the first time. It was used widely by the news media reporting on the conflict. Ethnic cleansing means the deliberate attempt to eliminate an entire ethnic group. Ethnic cleansing is a particular form of genocide (the deliberate destruction of a racial, religious, or cultural group) based on ethnic prejudice.