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Western Europe is distinguished from Central and Eastern Europe by geography and
by differences of history and culture. However, these boundaries are subject to considerable overlap and fluctuation, which makes
differentiation difficult. The concept of Western Europe is also associated with liberal democracy; its countries are generally deemed to be well within the cultural hegemony of the
United States of America.
Up to World War II, "Western Europe" was used to describe France, Ireland, the
United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
During the Cold War, when Western Europe designated the countries that were part
of the NATO treaty and under American influence, the term was often used as a counterbalance to Eastern Europe that was under Soviet influence. The
borders between Western and Eastern countries were securely defended, especially on the Eastern side. This border were also
called the Iron Curtain.
Until the enlargement of the
European Union of 2004, Western Europe was often associated with that Union
(possibly with the exception of Greece). Today, the connection to NATO or to the European Union may by many people be
perceived as historical, who rather define Western Europe as including the following regions:
- the Nordic countries (Iceland, Norway, Sweden,
Finland, Denmark)
- the Alpine countries (Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia)
- the Benelux countries (Belgium, the
Netherlands, Luxembourg)
- the British Isles (Ireland, the United Kingdom)
- France and Monaco
- the Iberian peninsula (Spain, Andorra, Portugal)
- the Apennine peninsula (Italy, San Marino, Vatican City)
- in many contexts also Greece and Cyprus
It ought to be borne in mind that this kind of concepts, for Europe's division, are overlapping. The Nordic countries
being counted to Western Europe does not at all hinder their being considered part of Northern Europe at the same time. Similarly, the Alpine countries may be considered part of
Central Europe, and Italy, the Iberian countries, Monaco, Greece
and southern France part of Southern Europe as well, as defined
by their proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.
See also
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