Europe
is a in the west, the Arctic_Ocean to the north, the Ural_Mountains and Ural_River in the east, the Caspian_Sea, Caucasus mountains and Black_Sea in the southeast, and the Mediterranean_Sea to the south. Together with Asia, Europe forms the supercontinent Eurasia: Europe is the western fifth of the Eurasian landmass. 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 Oceania. 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 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.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 nations in Eastern_Europe and capitalistic countries in Western_Europe. Around 1990 the Eastern block broke up.Geography and Extent
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. Many 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, and Monaco.Independent Countries
Europe comprises the following independent countries (in alphabetical order):Notes
# Russia extends across Asia all the way to the Pacific_Ocean; however, only that portion of Russia lying west of the Ural_Mountains is considered to be part of continental Europe.Dependant Nations
The nations listed below are recognised as being culturally and geographically defined. All have a degree of autonomy. In brackets is the state which administers the nation.Regions in Europe
see Regions_of_Europe :;Western_Europe (Red) ::British_Isles ::''United Kingdom, Ireland'' ::French_Region ::''France, Monaco'' ::Benelux ::''Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg'' :;Central_Europe (Blue) ::Alpine_Countries ::''Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Slovenia'' ::Visegrad_Group ::''Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary'' :;Eastern_Europe, see Northern_Eurasia (Brown) ::Baltic_States ::''Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania'' ::European CIS States ::''Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Russia'' ::Caucasus ::''Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia'' :;Northern_Europe, see Scandinavia (Purple) ::Nordic_Countries ::''Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark'' :;Southern_Europe (Green) ::Iberian_Peninsula ::''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
Original, History and Authors:
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