What geographic distinction did the "Iron Curtain" symbolize?

The "Iron Curtain" symbolized the division between Eastern and Western Europe during the Cold War. This term was popularized by Winston Churchill in a speech he gave in 1946, where he described the boundary that separated the Soviet-controlled Eastern Europe from the democratic nations of Western Europe. The "Iron Curtain" represented not only a physical barrier but also an ideological and political divide, reflecting the tensions between the Soviet Union and its satellite states on one side and the democratic countries of the West on the other. This division was characterized by differences in government, economy, and social values, emphasizing the conflict between communist and capitalist ideologies. Understanding this context is essential to grasp the significance of the "Iron Curtain" in shaping post-World War II Europe and the global landscape during the Cold War.