"As for "central" vs. "eastern" Europe, the people of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, all of which I just visited, would love to think of themselves as "central" Europe as they struggle to attract foreign tourists."

i have to say, that you are wrong. it reminds me "Americans are NOT stupid" video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE
and your tourist guide are not based on facts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Europe