| Continent: Europe Population: 731,000,00 Surface: 10,180,000(km2) / 3,930,000 (mi2) Highest Point: Mount Elbrus (5,633m / 18,481f) Lowest Point: Caspian Sea (-28m / -92f) | |
Europe is the second smallest continent, after Australia, with a surface area of 10.180.000 square kilometers. It is located west of Asia and North of Africa and bounded also by the Arctic and the Atlantic Ocean. In 2005 Europe counted 731 million inhabitants, that is approximately 11% of the total world population. Only Asia, America and Africa have more inhabitants. The continent is separated from Africa by the Mediterranean Sea. The continents are closest together at the Strait of Gibraltar, between Spain and Morocco. Europe and Asia are sometimes taken together as one continent called Eurasia. Because there is not an ocean between them. But when they are considered separate continents, the European-Asian border is formed by the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Ural river, the Greater Caucasus mountain range and a couple other water divides and straits. | |
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Europe has many mountains and mountain ranges, like the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Balkans and the Carpathians. The highest point is the top of inactive volcano Mount Elbrus with a height of 5642 m. Other parts of Europe, e.g. over 20% over the Netherlands, lie below sea level. The climate of Europe is very diverse. The south is warm and (sub)tropical and in the far north there is a polar climate. Most of the continent has a temperate, continental climate with much rain, but warm summers. Europe is the most industrialized continent on Earth. The largest industrial zones are found in Western and Central Europe, Ukraine and European Russia. Agriculture, forestry and fishery are important in Northern Europe while Eastern Europe is rich in oil and gas. In 1957 five countries started the European Economical Community for economic collaboration in order to prevent wars and improve the living conditions of all inhabitants. Since 1993 the organization is called European Union and started dealing also with political affairs, nowadays 27 countries are member and some countries are willing to become members in the future. In history enormous empires, like that of the Romans, and kingdoms existed in Europe and many big wars were fought. Nationalistic rebellions, especially in the 19th century, caused the continent to split into separate nations. The Greek and Roman cultures, the First and Second World War, they are all part of the rich European history and lots of museums make sure that these events will never be forgotten. Besides visiting museums and getting to know Europe’s history, there is much more to do for tourists. All kinds of climate can be found in Europe and it is possible to go skiing in the Swiss Alps, or to relax at the beach in Spain or Italy. Another way to spend a vacation in Europe is city hopping, which is very popular amongst Americans - but also Europeans themselves do it. Because of the intense collaboration between European countries, many borders can be crossed without paperwork and customs. That makes it possible and easy for tourists to visit major cities in different countries in one vacation. | |
CountriesÅland Islands, Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova (Republic of), Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City, | |