Compared to its mighty eastern neighbour, Asia, Europe is a tiny continent. But the culture of Europe has extended far beyond its boundaries. Europe has a long history of wealth, industry, trading, and empire building. Much of its prosperity comes from its green and fertile land, which is watered by numerous rivers and plenty of rain. Yet the climate varies considerably across the continent. The countries of southern Europe border the Mediterranean Sea. Holiday-makers visit the coast of this enclosed sea to enjoy it's long, hot summers. The far north, by contrast, reaches up into the icy Arctic Circle. There are also a number of high mountain ranges within Europe, including the Alps and the Pyrenees. The 786 million people of Europe are as varied as the landscape. The Nordic people of the north have blond hair, fair skin, and blue eyes, while many southern Europeans have darker skin and dark, curly hair.
Location: Europe lies to the north of the Mediterranean Sea and overlooks the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. It includes the surrounding islands, such as the British Isles and Iceland. The Ural Mountains in the Russian Federation mark the long eastern frontier with Asia.
Towns and cities: A large proportion of Europeans are town dwellers. From early times, town developed where people came to do business and to trade in the markets. As a result, Europe is dotted with towns and cities, such as Paris, whose origins are ancient. Beautiful old buildings grace many of these cities' centres. Some are historic monuments that have been restored and now house modern shops and businesses.
Industry: Large-scale industry began in Europe. Labor-saving inventions of the 18th and 19th centuries enabled workers in European factories to manufacture goods cheaply and in large numbers. The Industrial Revolution soon spread to other parts of the world, including the United States, India, and Japan. Manufacturing industries still play a vital role in most European countries.
Eastern Europe: This refers to countries such as Albania and Poland that came under Soviet control in 1945. It also refers to what was the western Soviet Union. From 1989, the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe collapsed and we're replaced by more democratic governments. Some countries kept their boundaries; others changed. Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina split away from what was Yugoslavia. In the early 1990s, bitter fighting broke out as Serbian, Croatian, and Muslim forces contested ethnic areas of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Scandinavia: A great hook-shaped peninsula encloses most of the Baltic Sea in northern Europe and extends into the Arctic Circle. Sweden and Norway occupy this peninsula. Together with Denmark to the south, they make up Scandinavia. Finland, to the east of the Baltic, and the large island of Iceland in the North Atlantic, are often also included in the group.
Mediterranean: Ten European countries border the Mediterranean Sea: Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Albania, and Greece. A small part of Turkey is also in Europe. The Mediterranean people have traditionally lived by farming, but many of these countries now have thriving industries. Though the climate around the Mediterranean is much warmer than that of northern Europe, winters can still be quite chilly.
Baltic states: Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, low-lying agricultural countries on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, are together called the Baltic States. They were formed in 1918 and remained independent until 1940 when they were occupied by the Soviet Union. In 1990, Lithuania became one of the first of the former Soviet republics to declare independence, followed, in 1991, Estonia and Latvia.
Danube River: Europe's second-longest river is the Danube. The Danube flows from the Black Forest in Germany to the Black Sea and passes through 9 European countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine.
Pyrenees: The Pyrenees mountains lie on the border between France and Spain. The mountain range stretches from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea, a distance of 435 km (270 miles). The climate of the Pyrenees is mild and humid. The mountains offer fishing, sightseeing, and winter sports. There are also health spas with hot springs.
Art and culture: Europe has its own traditions of art and culture which are quite distinct from those of other parts of the world. Oil painting, classical music, and ballet had their origins in Europe. The traditions of European theatre, music, literature, painting, and sculpture all began in ancient times.
Trade: Europeans have always been great traders. Between the 15th and 18th centuries, the countries of Europe were the most powerful in the world. They took their trade to all corners of the globe, and their settlers ruled parts of the America, Africa, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Almost all of these regions are now independent, but many still retain traces of European culture.
Statistics:
Area: 10,180,000 sq. km (3,930,000 sq. miles)
Population: 741,447,158
Countries: 56
Religions: Christianity, Islam, Eastern Orthodox, Judaism, Baha'i Faith
Highest point: Mount Elbrus
Longest river: Volga
Main occupations: Agriculture, manufacturing, industry
Main exports: Machinery and transport equipment
Main imports: Oil and other raw materials
European Countries:
- Abkhazia
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Artsakh
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Kosova
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- North Cyprus
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Ossetia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Transnistria
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom (UK)
- Vatican City
Find out more:
Johann Strauss Jr.
History of Europe
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