Summary
Highlights
Europe, located about 4,000 miles from the United States, is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Arctic Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. It comprises 50 countries that fit within an area similar in size to the United States. Despite being the second smallest continent, it has the third highest population with 742 million people, making it densely populated. Many Europeans live in apartment buildings rather than individual houses.
Vatican City, the smallest country in Europe and the world, is located within Rome, Italy, is home to the Pope, and covers less than a quarter of a square mile. Istanbul, Turkey, has Europe's largest population with 14.5 million people and spans across both European and Asian continents. Europe is also home to diverse wildlife like deer, wolves, and bears, though many are endangered due to limited land as a result of dense human population.
Europe's varied climates dictate its plant life. The Mediterranean region boasts palm trees and citrus, while colder areas like Bosnia and Slovenia feature fir, spruce, pine, and oak trees. Major geographical features include the Alps, Europe's highest and biggest mountain range system, stretching across eight countries, and the Danube River, the second-longest river, serving as a crucial commercial waterway through 10 countries.
Humans first appeared in Europe around 35,000 BC. The continent was the birthplace of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire, and later the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain during the 1700s, which transformed production from manual labor to machine-based. Europe was also the main battleground for World War I and World War II in the 1900s. More recently, 28 European countries formed the European Union in 1993 to promote peace, fight prejudice, encourage development, and protect the environment. The Euro is the common currency in 19 of these countries.
A small part of Russia, despite being small, is Europe's largest country. Island nations include Malta, Cyprus, Iceland, and Great Britain. The United Kingdom encompasses England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, featuring landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. Sweden is famous for its ice hotel, rebuilt annually. Italy, boot-shaped, hosts the Colosseum in Rome and is known for its architecture, food, and the Sistine Chapel. Germany is known for the Berlin Wall, historical figures like Einstein and Mozart, and its beer, cars, and castles. Other famous European sites include the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Acropolis in Athens, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cliffs of Moher, Sagrada Familia, and St. Basil's Cathedral. Europe's diversity, with over 50 countries and many languages, offers unique experiences for both citizens and millions of tourists.