The researcher in the research is most likely studying human-environment interaction and all of its consequences on the locale.
This is because both of these regions have specific subjective opinions about these areas which reflect their feelings and images.
What this means is that both West and East in Europe were influenced by particular political ideologies - West by democracy, whereas East was influenced by communism. Even today, Eastern and Western Europe are quite reflective of those ideologies.
Barcelona is the only one in a coastal location.
