Geography of Europe Europe is traditionally defined as one of seven continents. Literally, Europa is now thought to have meant Mainland, rather than the earlier interpretation, Sunset. It appears to have suggested itself to the Greeks, in their maritime world, as an appropriate designation for the extensive northerly lands that lay beyond, lands with characteristics vaguely known yet clearly different from those inherent in the concepts of Asia and Libyaboth of which, relatively prosperous and civilized, were associated closely with the culture of the Greeks and their predecessors. The financial crisis is defined by debt and high unemployment. You cannot download interactives. Europe is traditionally defined as one of seven continents. This is a main theme of The Odyssey, an epic poem written by Homer, in which these key elements of the sea both help and hurt the hero.Other cultures developed around the unique resources at their disposal. Thrace is the western part of Turkey on the European continent.. Many of the most socially and economically powerful elements of these societies will be led by immigrants.Developing countries, such as those in eastern and southern Europe, are expected to bear the worst of the depopulation trend. The debate surrounding the cartoons also intensified strained relations between the Islamic world and the West.In 2010, the French government dismantled illegal immigrant camps throughout France. The U.K. also includes Northern Ireland, which is on another island. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Sometimes considered a transcontinental country, it is located at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, [2] and is today generally regarded as part of Europe. Milan is also home to important European fashion magazines, such as Grazia, Vogue Italia, and Vera.German automotive design has a global reputation for excellence and prestige. Fortuitously, Europe has no continuous mountain obstacle aligned north-south, corresponding, for example, to the Western Cordillera of North America and the Andes Mountains of South America, that would limit access into western Europe from the ocean. Those highland areas include lands of abundant rainfallwhich supplies hydroelectricity and water to industrial citiesand provide summer pastures for cattle. As glaciers receded from the area, they left a number of distinct physical features, including abundant marshlands, lakes, and fjords. Antwerp is the biggest city of the country. A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. The other landlocked countries are "standalone" landlocked, not bordering any other such European one (the emphasis is necessary, since Kazakhstan borders Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, thus forming a vast landlocked expanse in Central Asia). In this case, the region of Western Europe includes the regions of northern Europe, southern Europe, Central Europe, and the British Isles. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. Fun Facts about Europe Europe is home to the smallest country in the world, the Holy See or the Vatican. Yet the peninsular and insular western extremity of the continent, thrusting toward the North Atlantic Ocean, providesthanks to its latitude and its physical geographya relatively genial human habitat, and the long processes of human history came to mark off the region as the home of a distinctive civilization. The Apennines, Dinaric Alps, and Balkan Mountains, as well as the arc-shaped Carpathian Mountains and their southern portion, the Transylvanian Alps, also exhibit high elevations. The Rights Holder for media is the person or group credited. Historically, Europe has been a center of immigration. Europe's highest peak, Mount Elbrus at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet), is in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia. That broad territory reveals no simple unity of geologic structure, landform, relief, or climate. Related topics are discussed in such articles as those on religion (e.g., Judaism and Roman Catholicism) and literature (e.g., Greek literature; Dutch literature; and Spanish literature). The forests and grasslands of Western and Central Europe have been almost completely domesticated, with crops and livestock dominant.Finally, small, drought-resistant plants border the Mediterranean Sea, Europe's southern edge. It includes parts of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Poland, the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), and Belarus.Most of the Great European Plain lies below 152 meters (500 feet) in elevation. It happens to be the longest river in Europe and covers 3,692 km/ 2,295 miles long. Reindeer herding is still an important aspect of Sami culture, which continues to thrive in northern Scandinavia and Russias Kola Peninsula.Distinct physical features had a lasting impact on how European cultures communicated with each other. Intense trade introduced many species, which often overtook native plants. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Population Density188 people per square kilometer, Highest ElevationMount Elbrus, Russia (5,642 meters/18,510 feet), Most Renewable Electricity ProducedIceland (99.9%; hydropower, geothermal), Largest Urban AreaMoscow, Russia (16.2 million people), Largest WatershedVolga River (1.38 million square km/532,821 square miles). Greater Milan is the largest Metropolitan Area in Italy. In spite of its internal diversity, Europe has thus functioned, from the time it first emerged in the human consciousness, as a world apart, concentratingto borrow a phrase from Christopher Marloweinfinite riches in a little room.. In the extreme northern part (northernmost Russia; Svalbard), bordering the Arctic Ocean, is tundra climate (Et). The climate supports a wide variety of seasonal crops. The Volga River in Russia. Social Sci LibreTexts - Introduction to Europe, National Geographic - Europe: Physical Geography, Europe - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Europe - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), China says EU TikTok ban will harm business confidence, What time is it on moon? The creation of the European Economic Community in 1957 and the EU in 1993 greatly enhanced economic cooperation between many of the continents countries. Whats the Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom? It covers an area of 357,022 km2 (137,847 sq mi). The tallest mountain in Europe is Mount Elbrus in Russia. Europes largest islands and archipelagoes include Novaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land, Svalbard, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, the British Isles, the Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Crete, and Cyprus. It has coastlines on the Bay of Biscay (a part of the Atlantic Ocean) and the Mediterranean Sea.Spain's capital and largest city is Madrid, and the country is known for its long history, unique culture, strong economy, and very high living standards. CORDIS website requires JavaScript enabled in order to work properly. The continent is awash with stunning beaches so its only right that the facts of European geography include its longest beach. Developed countries, however, are also facing economic challenges. The western part of the continent clearly has a high proportion of coastline with good maritime access and often with . Physiographically, it is the northwestern peninsula of the larger landmass known as Eurasia (or the larger Afro-Eurasia ); Asia occupies the centre and east of this continuous landmass. Ireland: geography and landscape. The Mediterranean Sea to the south separates Europe from Africa. The 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. To read all future answers to your comment, please bookmark this page. Iceland, having area of 103 000 km, is larger than Ireland (84 406 km). The lowest terrain in Europe, virtually lacking relief, stands at the head of the Caspian Sea; there the Caspian Depression reaches some 95 feet (29 metres) below sea level. Przemek. As a continent with hugely diverse topography, the geographical facts about Europe are going to be an interesting collection. Regional climatic contrasts nevertheless exist: oceanic, Mediterranean, and continental types occur widely, as do gradations from one to the other. This rescue package has caused tensions to rise between economically competitive countries and the indebted countries that they are helping to rescue. Grades 6 - 12+ Subjects Arts and Music, Economics, Geography, Human Geography, Social Studies, World History Photograph Europe Europe is the western peninsula of the giant "supercontinent" of Eurasia. Map created by National Geographic Maps. Greater relief is found in those areas in the heart of western and central Europe where uplifted and faulted massifs survive from the Hercynian orogeny, a late Paleozoic period of mountain formation. From the Greek perspective then, Europa was culturally backward and scantily settled. 3. The continent also comprises numerous islands, somenotably the Faroes and Icelandlocated at a distance from the mainland. Ukraine is the world's largest producer of sunflower seeds, and across every part of Ukraine, you'll see stunning fields of these yellow blooms. In the face of an economic crisis, EU citizens of poorer member countries, such as the Roma of Bulgaria and Romania, often migrate to more developed EU countries in search of work. Updates? The word democracy has Greek roots: demos-, meaning people, and -kratos, meaning power. Prominent Greek philosophers, such as Socrates and Plato, discussed democratic ideals in their writings. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. 1. The five most spoken native languages in Europe are Russian, German, French English, Turkish and Italian. City-states were unique in that they were governed not by a hereditary ruler, but by a political body that represented its citizens. It is characterized by simple, minimalist design and low-cost mass production. 21,946 km 2 (8,473 sq mi) Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region, on the coast of the Black Sea. Important highlands in this region include the Massif Central and the Vosges in France, the Ardennes of Belgium, the Black Forest and the Taunus in Germany, and the Ore and Sudeten in the Czech Republic. The region includes the mountains of the Alps, Pyrenees, Apennines, Dinaric Alps, Balkans, and Carpathians.High elevations, rugged plateaus, and steeply sloping land define the region. Among the continents, Europe is an anomaly. Although this area remains heavily forested, the continent's forests were drastically reduced as a result of intense urbanization throughout human history. Trade relations beyond its frontiers also drew the remoter regions into its sphere. The program has provided a lasting economic boost to cities and regions, raised their international profiles, and enhanced their images in the eyes of their own inhabitants.Each year, two or three cities are chosen to produce a year-long program of cultural events. The empire of ancient Rome, at its greatest extent in the 2nd century ce, revealed, and imprinted its culture on, much of the face of the continent. A contrast exists between the configuration of peninsular, or western, Europe and that of eastern Europe, which is a much larger and more continental area. Manmade features such as roads, dams, and cities may also be included. Enacting regional social policies and economic legislation, especially through bodies like the European Union, may help curb that trend. You can actually get very close to the falls and safely, thanks to a well maintained hiking trail. The political cartoons sought to engage in the debate surrounding Muslim extremism. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This description is simplified. If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. Fast Facts: France Official Name: French Republic Capital: Paris Population: 67,364,357 (2018) Note: This figure is for metropolitan France and five overseas regions; the metropolitan France population is 62,814,233 Europe is the second-smallest continent. Le site web de CORDIS ncessite lactivation de JavaScript pour fonctionner correctement. The eastward limits now adopted by most geographers exclude the Caucasus region and encompass a small portion of Kazakhstan, where the European boundary formed by the northern Caspian coast is connected to that of the Urals by Kazakhstans Emba River and Mughalzhar (Mugodzhar) Hills, themselves a southern extension of the Urals. Slavic-based civilization dominates much of the territory occupied by the former Soviet Union from the Baltic and Black seas to the Pacific Ocean. Routes detour around, or seek gaps through, those uplandswhose German appellation, Horst (thicket), recalls their still wooded character, while their coal basins give them great economic importance. Switzerland's small sizeits total area is about half that of Scotlandand its modest population give little indication of its international significance. The link between these peninsulas has made Europe a dominant economic, social, and cultural force throughout recorded history.Europe's physical geography, environment and resources, and human geography can be considered separately.Europe can be divided into four major physical regions, running from north to south: Western Uplands, North European Plain, Central Uplands, and Alpine Mountains.Western UplandsThe Western Uplands, also known as the Northern Highlands, curve up the western edge of Europe and define the physical landscape of Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark), Finland, Iceland, Scotland, Ireland, the Brittany region of France, Spain, and Portugal.The Western Uplands is defined by hard, ancient rock that was shaped by glaciation. Europe has a long history of human development and is considered the birthplace of Western Civilization. These revolutions eventually lead to the end of the Cold War, symbolized by the falling of the Berlin Wall in 1989.Contemporary IssuesEurope is now broadly defined in the context of the European Union (EU), an economic and political body officially created by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. The boundary continues to the Caspian Sea, the crest of the Caucasus Mountains (or, less commonly, the river Kura in the Caucasus), and on to the Black Sea. The United States began to lead the Western world, while the Soviet Union, with its capital in the Eastern European city of Moscow, Russia, led the so-called Eastern Bloc. During this time, a number of anti-communist revolutions swept central and eastern Europe. Nonetheless, in manufacturing and agriculture Europe still occupies an eminent, if no longer necessarily predominant, position. The name Europe, or Europa, is believed to be of Greek origin, as it is the name of a princess in Greek mythology. Gouffre Mirolda is the 3rd deepest cave in the world after Krubera Cave and Illyuzia-Mezhonnogo-Snezhnaya Cave, both in Georgia (former Soviet Republic). Kazakhstan. Among the alternative boundaries proposed by geographers that have gained wide acceptance is a scheme that sees the crest of the Greater Caucasus range as the dividing line between Europe and Asia, placing Ciscaucasia, the northern part of the Caucasus region, in Europe and Transcaucasia, the southern part, in Asia. This linguistic diversity is present in the Alpine regions of many contemporary European countries today.Switzerland, for example, has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansch. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Important Scandinavian companies focused on designed products include Electrolux, which makes home electronics, and Ikea and H&M, famous around the world for inexpensive but well-designed home furnishings and clothing, respectively. Europe has a diversity of terrains, physical features, and climates. Ethnic Groups / People of Europe are at 87. A small troop of Barbary macaques lives on the tiny island of Gibraltar, between Spain and the African country of Morocco.The waters surrounding Europe are home to a number of organisms, including fish, seaweeds, marine mammals, and crustaceans. Huge herds of reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) feed on these tiny plants.The taiga, which stretches across northern Europe just south of the tundra, is composed of coniferous forests, with trees such as pine, spruce, and fir. Italy is separated from the Balkans by the Adriatic Sea, and from Iberia by the Mediterranean Sea, which also separates Europe from Africa. It has been somewhat problematical to pin down the biggest glacier in Europe because biggest is open to interpretation of length, depth and width, plus they can change quite dramatically in a short space of time. In fact, the tallest mountain in Europe is in Kazakhstan and is called Khan Tengri, standing 22,999 feet high, some 4,500 feet higher than the next tallest, Mount Elbrus in Russia. Roma are a people and culture native to central and eastern Europe. Population growth in Europe is rather minimal with minimal age comparatively high. There are also central highlands and deserts features in the south. La Boule measures 7.5 miles and is served by a lovely and ancient seaside town where many of the French elite have holiday homes. The major shallow water bodies submerging parts of the northern plains are the Celtic Sea, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea complex, and the Barents Sea. It is the continent's second largest island (after Great Britain). Kazakhstan and Russia are in Asia. For discussion of major cities of the continent, see specific articles by namee.g., Rome, Warsaw, and London. It stands 10,922 feet high on the coast of the Mediterranean island Sicily. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. It borders nine neighbors, more than any other European country. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. Longest beach The longest beach in Ireland is a continuous 20km stretch of sand in County Wexford connecting Cahore Point to The Raven Point. Geographically, Turkey forms a natural land bridge between the old world continents of Asia, Africa and Europe. Elevations in those areas are mainly between about 500 and 2,000 feet (150 and 600 metres), and many steep slopes are to be seen. 5 x Fun Facts about Europe The longest town name in Europe is Lanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogo, in Wales The Czech Republic is the most beer-drinking country per capita There are more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe than any other continent in the world The highest toilet can be found at Mount Blanc These projected changes will have two major effects: There will be a smaller work force to create a dynamic and industrious economy, and governments and citizens will have to care for more elderly people.These changes will affect different regions of Europe in different ways. Europe's shape is in a constant change: The Mediterranean basin is shrinking, the Alps are rising and pushing North, and Scandinavia is still rebounding after having been crushed by the weight of a thick and huge ice sheet in the ice ages. During the harsh winter, the Sami ate all parts of the animal. It is the smallest country both in size and population. From there it flows to the Caspian Sea. Biology, Ecology, Earth Science, Geology, Geography, Physical Geography. Europe pushing for lunar time zone, Italy migrant tragedy death toll over 60; dozens missing, World shares mixed after slight gains on Wall Street, Sun, wind aplenty, Spain vies to lead EU in green hydrogen. ft. home is a 4 bed, 4.0 bath property. These events had a devastating effect on Denmarks reputation as a progressive and welcoming country. Rocks of all geologic periods are exposed, and the operation of geologic forces during an immense succession of eras has contributed to the molding of the landscapes of mountain, plateau, and lowland and has bequeathed a variety of mineral reserves. This is the largest landlocked country in the world. Inhabited plains, with only the minor interruption of the worn-down Urals, extend from central Europe to the Yenisey River in central Siberia. In many places, including the Mediterranean and North seas, waters have been overfished. The Kimmel Falls are the tallest in Europe and also 5th in the list of the worlds highest waterfalls. Some geographical texts refer to a Eurasian continent given that Europe is not surrounded by sea and its southeastern border has always been variously defined for centuries. The 4,506 sq. Germany's location at the heart of Europe has shaped its history both for good and bad. It is 1733 meters (5,686 feet) deep and is located near the Swiss and Italian borders, in the area of the Savoy Alps close to the village of Samoens. Author of. Sweden has a long history that began with prehistoric hunting camps in the southernmost part of the country. By the end of the war, the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires collapsed and broke into a dozen separate nations. All in all, Europe enjoys a considerable and long-exploited resource base of soil, forest, sea, and minerals (notably coal), but its people are increasingly its principal resource. Volcanic rocks add to the diversity of those regions. The principal articles discussing the historical and cultural development of the continent include history of Europe; European exploration; Western colonialism; Aegean civilizations; ancient Greek civilization; ancient Rome; Byzantine Empire; and Holy Roman Empire. The well-watered plateaus give rise to many rivers and are well adapted to pastoral farming. The Netherlands is bordered by Germany in the east; and Belgium in the south. Turku officials hope to inspire other European countries to undertake similar projects.Europe also strengthens ties between its diverse peoples and cultures by supporting multilingual education. There are more bicycles than people in the country (22.3 million bicycles and 17 million people). Lets take a short tour around some of the most notable geographical facts about Europe. Any interactives on this page can only be played while you are visiting our website. Europe Facts | Religion: Most of the European people are Christians (76%) and there are smaller numbers of Muslims (6%) and Jews and other beliefs. [citation needed] These two halves are separated by the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and the Alps/Carpathians. Aby witryna CORDIS dziaaa poprawnie, obsuga JavaScript musi by wczona. Protests developed across the Muslim world, and demonstrators set fire to Danish embassies in Lebanon, Iran, and Syria. The most important rivers in Europe are Danube, Volga, Rhine, Elbe, Oder and Dnieper, among others. In terms of shape, Europe is a collection of connected peninsulas and nearby islands. By size, Germany is the seventh-largest European country. All the major bodies of water in Europe have been fished for centuries. As Ive talked about fire (volcanoes), it wouldnt be right to leave ice out of the geography facts of Europe. The Kimmel Falls are in Hohe Tauen National Park and are one of Austrias most visited tourist attractions. Spain is a country located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula to the south of France and Andorra and to the east of Portugal. These countries included Greece, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Turkey and Cyprus in particular, while geologically Asian, possess elements of European culture and may be regarded as parts of Europe. Wcz obsug JavaScript. 16 S Sunwood Ln , Sandy, UT 84092 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $1,295,000. The western part of the continent clearly has a high proportion of coastline with good maritime access and often with inland penetration by means of navigable rivers. These features typically include natural formations such as mountains, rivers, lakes, and valleys. Mount Olympus is Greece's highest mountain at 9,570 feet (2,917 meters) above sea level. For the political geography of Europe, see, Countries consisting solely of islands or parts of islands, Countries bordering or spanning another continent, Countries whose capital is not the most populous, List of countries by the number of other countries they border, Last edited on 19 February 2023, at 19:57, List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Europe, List of European tornadoes and tornado outbreaks, List of the highest European ultra-prominent peaks, Special member state territories and the European Union, Language facts European day of languages, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Geography_of_Europe&oldid=1140367331, Lower Danubian Plain, between Balkan Mountains and, This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 19:57.