Bratislava was known as Pressburg until 1918, when it was incorporated into the newly formed Czechoslovakia at the end of World War I. After the second World War that country became a communist Soviet satellite state. Then, in 1993, when Czech and Slovakia peacefully split, Bratislava became the country's capital. Since then, capitalism has taken hold, and the city experienced an economic boom; Across the river from the medieval center, 21st century buildings spring up like like grass in springtime. It is by far the wealthiest city in Slovakia, and one of the wealthier former Soviet-allied cities in the world. Bratislava is a major showcase of eastern Europe, and I couldn't wait to get off the train and explore.