Russia's European part is 1.54 million square miles making it the largest country in the continent. Vatican City is the smallest and covers an area of 0.17 sq miles. Some important cities in Europe are London, Berlin, Paris, Prague, Copenhagen, Zurich, Madrid, Amsterdam, Moscow, Istanbul, Venice, Rome, and Vienna, to name a few. The most populated metros in Europe are Moscow (16,200,000), Ruhr-Essen-Dusseldorf (13,400,000), Paris (10,900,000), London (10,200,000), Amsterdam (7,500,000). The most popular languages spoken in Europe include English, French, Russian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch and Turkish.
History of Europe
- Europe was influenced by the Classical Greek culture of the 8th-century B.C.
- The powerful influences of the Roman Empire spread to Northern and Mediterranean Europe. The Romans had a profound impact on the growth of the continent's rich culture and architecture.
- After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire emerged and thrived (285-1450) in the eastern Europe.
- In Western Europe, several tribal groups assumed power, giving rise to smaller, faction kingdoms. The geography of Western Europe went through a major change.
- The Viking Age continued in Northern Europe from 8th to 13th centuries.
- The European colonial period, which spanned from the 16th Century, to the mid-20th century, saw European powers establishing colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
- The European colonial era came to an end with revolts in Africa, India, and the Middle East.
- The two World Wars caused severe damage to Europe, both financially and demographically. Have a look at our maps to see how Europe looked during World War I, and World War II.
- Two major events in Europe's recent history were; the fall of Berlin Wall (1989), and the fall of the Soviet Union (1991).
- The second-half of 20th century saw integration of several factions, and the establishment of the European Union (EU).
- The Ukrainian territory of Crimea, regarded as the common legacy of Russia, was forcibly annexed by the Russian Federation on March 18, 2014.
- Brexit – an abbreviation for term “British Exit” referrs to the June 23, 2016 referendum – and the decision of the UK (citizens) to leave the European Union.
- You can still look for a comprehensive Timeline of European History.
Geography of Europe
Europe is the second smallest of all the continents, with a total land area of 3,930,000 sq. miles, and represents 6.80% of the global landmass. Europe is connected by land to Asia on its east, while oceans and seas lie to its southeast, southwest, west, and north side. The continent features a 24,000 mile-long coastline.
Europe features some of the oldest mountains on the planet. The Alps were formed when the continent of Africa moved north and collided with Europe.
Islands and Archipelagoes
Europe is dotted with archipelagoes and islands. This includes the British Isles, Svalbard, Faroe Islands, Novaya Zemlya, Iceland, Franz Josef Land, Sicily, Cyprus, and Crete among others.
| Highest Point | Mount Elbrus, Russia: 5,642 meters |
| Lowest Point | Caspian Sea, Russia: -28 meters |
| Geographic Center | Vilnius, Lithuania - 54° 54' N 25° 19' E |
| Vertical length | 2,076 miles |
| Horizontal length | 1,339 miles |
| Largest countries by area | Ukraine: 233,090 sq miles |
| Largest Lake | Lake Ladoga, Russia: 6,834 sq miles |
| Longest River | Volga: 2,293 miles |
| Largest Active Volcano | Mount Etna, Italy |
Climate
Western experience a semi-humid continental climate, with cool summers. In Central and Eastern Europe, summers are warm, but winters are often harsh, with snowfall being a commonality.
Population
As per UN Population Division 2016 estimates, Europe is home to 738 million people. The population distribution is; Eastern Europe, 292 million, Western Europe, 191 million, Southern Europe, 152 million, and Northern Europe, 103 million.
Top Travel Destinations in Europe
- The Eiffel Tower - One of the tallest structures of the 20th century, is the well-known symbol of France.
- The Acropolis, in Greece - Is perhaps the most recognized ancient buildings in the world, located in the center of Athens.
- Sagrada Familia - A renowned attraction in Barcelona, Spain, it is a masterpiece designed by architect Antoni Gaudí.
- Notre Dame Cathedral - It is one of the best specimens of French Gothic architecture in Europe.
- The Colosseum, in Rome, Italy - This impressive building is a widely recognized landmark in Italy.
- Vatican City - This continent’s smallest county is steeped in history and rich in artwork.
- The Louvre - This museum in Paris, France is one of most important collections in the world. When you plan your itinerary, you should not forget the castles in Europe that are worth visiting.
Know more about Europe's Most-Visited Tourist Attractions
Transport and Communication in Europe
- Europe was the first continent to have railways and motorways.
- Belgium, one of the smallest countries of Europe, has the world's densest rail network.
- The busiest airport in Europe is Heathrow Airport (London, UK), followed by Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris, France), Schiphol Airport (Amsterdam, Netherlands), Frankfurt Airport (Frankfurt, Germany), and Ataturk Airport (Istanbul, Turkey), in that order.
- The TGV in France, and the LAV in Spain, are world-class high-speed rail networks in Europe.
- The Channel Tunnel, or ‘Chunnel,’ that connects the UK with France, and the entire European rail system, was called one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
- Paris Metro, Madrid Metro, and Moscow Metro, are some of the best metro systems in Europe.
People
A continent of great diversity, Europe takes pride in the assimilation of different languages, religions, and ethnicity. Most Europeans follow Christianity, with Western Europe being dominated by Roman Catholics, northern Europe by Protestants, and the southeastern Europe by Eastern Orthodox.
For language, Russian has the most speakers, followed by German. The European Union uses 20 official languages.
Literature
From Homer to Shakespeare, and George Orwell to Virginia Woolf, Europe's legacy of literary influence has been carried forward by generation of poets, dramatists, and novelists. With such an illustrious past, Europe has been the cradle of renowned musicians, filmmakers, painters, and architects. Over the last few millennia, the Renaissance, French Revolution, and Modernism, have shaped the political thinking of Europe, brought cultural and social enlightenment, and economic advancement.
Art and Architecture
European Art has evolved through a series of eras, each showing a particular style. Some of the most known artistic styles that have flourished in Europe are; Classical, Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modern.
When it comes to European architecture, there are a great number of the Gothic churches and monuments spread across the continent. The bridges in Amsterdam, colossal Greek architecture in Athens, museums in Berlin, and churches in Rome and Paris are world renowned.
Sports
Soccer (football) is the most popular sport across Europe. From the UEFA Champions League to the Spanish La Liga, many of the top football clubs around the world compete at these prestigious sporting events. Rugby, Cricket, and Ice hockey, are other popular sports that nearly every European country participates in. Europe has also hosted several summer and winter Olympics events on multiple occasions.
Economy and Industry
Germany and France continue to drive the European economy. The United Kingdom has opted to exit the EU, but will continue to remain an active participant of the European economy.
Russia's economy is mainly driven by oil refining and defense manufacturing. Switzerland continues to be the focal country for banking and investment, followed by the UK, Germany, and France. With Brexit looming, London’s status as a financial hub is now being challenged by Frankfurt and Paris.
In the manufacturing sector, Germany, France, Italy, and Sweden lead the way in their respective areas of dominance. France, UK, Germany, and Russia remain dependent on a growing defense industry.
Interesting Facts about Europe
- Europe covers 3.93 million square miles, and is approximately 8% of the Earth's surface.
- Approximately 11% of the world's population lives in Europe.
- Disneyland, in Paris, is considered the most visited place in the continent.
- Thingvellir National Park of Iceland, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe, was home to the world's first democratic parliament.
- The famous Statue of Liberty was constructed in France and given to the USA as a gift of friendship.
- Mount Etna in southern Italy is Europe's largest active volcano. Know More Facts...
Europe Geography Answers
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Last Updated on: July 24th, 2017
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