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The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. See talk:Europe (and
Template talk:Europe)
- For the band of the same name, see Europe (band).
Satellite Image of Europe
Europe is a continent whose boundaries are generally regarded
as being: the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Ural Mountains and Ural River in the east, the Caspian Sea, Caucasus mountains (or the
Kuma-Manych Depression) and Black Sea in the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Together with Asia, Europe forms
the supercontinent Eurasia, of which Europe is the western fifth.
In terms of area, Europe is the world's second smallest continent, with an area of
10,400,000 kmē (4,000,000 square miles), making it slightly larger than Australia.
In terms of population it is the third largest continent after Asia and Africa. The population of Europe in 2001 was
estimated to be 666,498,000: roughly one seventh of the world's population.
Etymology
According to Homer the name Europe (Greek: Ευρώπη) was originally given to central Greece. Later it stood
for mainland Greece and by 500 BC its meaning was extended to all the lands of the
north.
The term Europe is often said to derive from Greek words meaning broad (eurys) and face (ops). Many, however, see a
Semitic origin, pointing to the Semitic word ereb which means "sunset". From
a Middle Eastern viewpoint, the sun sets over Europe: the lands to the west.
In ancient mythology, Europa was a Phoenician princess who was abducted by a bull-shaped Zeus.
History
Main article: History of Europe
Europe has a long history of great cultural and economic achievement, starting as far back as the Bronze Age. The origin of Western culture is generally attributed to the ancient Greeks, and the Roman Empire spanned the entire continent for many centuries. Following the decline
of the Roman Empire, Europe entered a long period of stasis, referred to by enlightenment thinkers as the Dark Ages and by most
modern historians, the Middle Ages. During this time isolated monastic
communities in Ireland and elsewhere carefully safeguarded and compiled knowledge
accumulated previously. The Dark Ages came to an end with the Renaissance and
the New Monarchs, marking the start of a period of discovery, exploration,
and increase in scientific knowledge. From the 15th century European
nations, particularly Spain, Portugal,
France, the Netherlands and
Britain, built large colonial empires, with vast holdings in Africa, the Americas, and Asia. The Industrial Revolution started in
Europe in the 18th century, leading to much greater general prosperity and
a corresponding increase in population. After World War II, and until the
end of the Cold War, Europe was divided into two major political and economic
blocks: Communist nations in Eastern Europe and capitalistic countries in Western Europe. Around 1990 the Eastern
block broke up.
Geography and Extent
Physical map
Geographically Europe is a part of the larger landmass known as Eurasia. The
continent begins at the Ural Mountains in Russia, which defines Europe's eastern boundary with Asia. The boundary with
Asia continues along the Ural River, and the Caucasus Mountains to the south.
In practice the borders of Europe are often drawn with greater regard to political, economic, and other cultural
considerations. This has led to there being several different "Europes" that are not always identical in size, including or
excluding countries according to the definition of "Europe" used.
The idea of a European "continent" is not universally held. Some non-European geographical texts refer to a Eurasian
Continent, or to a European "sub-continent", given that "Europe" is not surrounded by sea and is, in any case, much more a
cultural than a geographically definable area. In the past concepts such as "Christendom" were deemed more important.
Increasingly, the word "Europe" is being used as a synonym for the European Union (EU) and its member states. 25 European states currently belong to the EU. A number of other
European states are negotiating for membership and several more are expected to begin negotiations in the future. Almost all
European states are members of the Council of Europe, the
exceptions being Belarus, the Holy See
(Vatican City), Kazakhstan, and Monaco.
Independent Countries
Europe comprises the following independent countries (in alphabetical order):
Notes
1 According to definitions which assign the Caucasus Mountains to Europe, these countries lie partly in the continent.
2 Kazakhstan's European territory consists of a portion west of the Ural River.
3 Those territories of Russia lying west of the Ural Mountains are considered to be part of Europe.
4 European Turkey comprises territory to the west and north of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles straits.
Dependent Territories
The territories listed below are recognised as being culturally and geographically defined. Most have a degree of autonomy. In
brackets is the state which administers the territory.
Regions in Europe
- See Regions of Europe
A colour-coded map showing the regions of Europe
- Southern Europe (Green)
- Iberian Peninsula (Red): Spain, Portugal, Andorra
- Italian peninsula: Italy, Vatican City, San Marino
- Balkan Peninsula: Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia
& Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria
- Asia Minor: Turkey
- Mediterranean States: Cyprus, Malta
See also
External links
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