During this time, a number of anti-communist revolutions swept central and eastern Europe. It is the continent's second largest island (after Great Britain). The United States and the Soviet Union built up huge nuclear arsenals, with many missiles aimed at targets throughout Europe. Developed countries, however, are also facing economic challenges. Today, this cultural wealth is used to solidify the European Community and is exported to the rest of the world as one of the continents greatest global assets.Historic CulturesIndigenous cultures shaped, and were shaped by, the varied geography of Europe. These countries included Greece, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal. About a quarter of marine mammals are threatened.Today, around 15 percent of Europe's animal species are threatened or endangered, mainly by habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation, and competition from invasive species. City-states were unique in that they were governed not by a hereditary ruler, but by a political body that represented its citizens. San Marino and Vatican City, two fully sovereign nations, are both completely surrounded by Italy. National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036. The landlocked countries in Europe are: Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belarus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Liechtenstein (which is doubly landlocked), Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Moldova, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Vatican City. Europe is the western peninsula of the giant "supercontinent" of Eurasia. The most important rivers in Europe are Danube, Volga, Rhine, Elbe, Oder and Dnieper, among others. Political geography is the internal and external relationships between governments, citizens, and territories. Associated vegetation and soil forms also show continual variety, but only portions of the dominant woodland that clothed most of the continent when humans first appeared now remain. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. East of the Vistula River, Europes expansive lowlands have something of the scale and character of those of northern Asia. All rights reserved. The map was produced using a Lambert conformal conic projection, with standard parallels at 40 degrees north . Iceland and the British Isles are special cases. Only hill masses less than 800 feet (240 metres) in height rise gently within the Russian (East European) Plain, which continues northward into Finland, westward into the North European Plain, and southward in the Romanian, Bulgarian, and Hungarian plains. The Louvre is the most visited attraction in Europe Trade relations beyond its frontiers also drew the remoter regions into its sphere. Four broad topographic units can be simply, yet usefully, distinguished in the continent of Europe. Traders and travelers also reported that the Europe beyond Greece possessed distinctive physical units, with mountain systems and lowland river basins much larger than those familiar to inhabitants of the Mediterranean region. 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. Another widely endorsed scheme puts the western portion of the Caucasus region in Europe and the eastern partthat is, the bulk of Azerbaijan and small portions of Armenia, Georgia, and Russias Caspian Sea coastin Asia. The greater part of Europe, however, combines low elevation with low relief. Some critics argue these attitudes are xenophobic. 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. Each country could easily make a contribution with an interesting fact as the landscape changes so dramatically across small spaces, unlike other continents. Key Facts. It covers an area of 357,022 km2 (137,847 sq mi). Europe's main peninsulas are the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan, located in southern Europe, and the Scandinavian and Jutland, located in Northern Europe. Today, this is the German-speaking region of the country.Around this same time, Roman conquerors took over present-day southern Switzerland. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. 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. The overall population of Europe is set to drop from roughly 590 million to 542 million by 2050. The low starting elevation makes the Volga a slow flowing river. Italian fashion is also an important cultural export. Greeces many earthquakes, and the tsunamis they caused, were connected to the sea god Poseidon, known as the Earth Shaker. Cults and temples centered on Poseidon were built throughout the Aegean and Mediterranean seas as a means of appeasing the god.As maritime trade and exploration developed in the region, winds and currents connected to Poseidon became important in Greek mythology. Ethnic Groups / People of Europe are at 87. Ancient Greeks also believed reigning gods imprisoned lesser gods underneath the volcanoes. In fact, the most famous symbol of the Iron Curtain was the Berlin Wall, which divided the East German city of Berlin into western and eastern-controlled parts.The economic and political demise of the Soviet Union led to the end of the Iron Curtain in the late 1980s. The population of the City of Brussels is ~175,000. The Anatolian peninsula is the westernmost point of Asia, divided from Europe by the Bosphorus and Dardanelles straits. Many of Europe's fjords are located in Iceland and Scandinavia.North European PlainThe North European Plain extends from the southern United Kingdom east to Russia. Topographic maps show a wide range of human and physical features of the Earth. Desert climates are found in the European portion of Kazakhstan and South Eastern Spain. As observed on Germany's physical map, the country's topography varies significantly from north to south. All the major bodies of water in Europe have been fished for centuries. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the south (west to east) by the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Kuma-Manych Depression, and the Caspian Sea. Europes eastern boundary, however, is not a cultural, political, or economic discontinuity on the land comparable, for example, to the insulating significance of the Himalayas, which clearly mark a northern limit to South Asian civilization. As to the territorial limits of Europe, they may seem relatively clear on its seaward flanks, but many island groups far to the north and westSvalbard, the Faroes, Iceland, and the Madeira and Canary islandsare considered European, while Greenland (though tied politically to Denmark) is conventionally allocated to North America. European Commission: European Capital of Culture. Note: Italy's capital, Rome, is the country's largest city if only the municipality (comune) is considered. The spacious eastern steppes and, to the west and north, primeval forests as yet only marginally touched by human occupancy further underlined environmental contrasts. El sitio web de CORDIS requiere tener activado JavaScript para funcionar correctamente. Historically, Europe has been a center of immigration. Sub-regions such as Iberia and Italy contain their own complex features, as does mainland Europe itself, where the relief contains many plateaus, river valleys, and basins that complicate the general trend. 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. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Imperialism is a policy of extending a nations power and influence through diplomacy or military force. Lesotho (landlocked within South Africa), is the only other country in the world surrounded entirely by another country. 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 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. Most extensive between the Baltic and White seas in the north and the Black, Azov, and Caspian seas in the south, the lowland area narrows westward, lying to the south of the northwestern highlands; it is divided also by the English Channel and the mountains and plateaus of central Europe. You can actually get very close to the falls and safely, thanks to a well maintained hiking trail. In 2000 the population was 857 million, using a definition which includes the whole of the transcontinental countries of Russia and Turkey. In many places, including the Mediterranean and North seas, waters have been overfished. Europe is a peninsula of the Eurasian supercontinent and is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian seas to the south.Europes main peninsulas are the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan, located in southern Europe, and the Scandinavian and Jutland, located in northern Europe. 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. The northern plain contains the old geological continent of Baltica, and so may be regarded as the "main continent", while peripheral highlands and mountainous regions in south and west constitute fragments from various other geological continents. When it comes to geographical facts about Europe, and in particular the mountains, most people will assume that the names at the top of the list will be the famous Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn. Editor of, Professor of Geography, Birkbeck College, University of London, 194770. This program must not only highlight the citys unique cultural heritage, but also feature new events that unite a range of cultural practices from across Europe. Kosovo is a. Three smaller peninsulasIberia, Italy, and the Balkansemerge from the southern margin of the mainland. Germany's location at the heart of Europe has shaped its history both for good and bad. The population within the standard physical geographical boundaries was 701 million in 2005 according to the United Nations. Volcanic rocks add to the diversity of those regions. (South of Northern Ireland is the separate country of Ireland, which gained its independence from the U.K. in 1937.) Switzerland's small sizeits total area is about half that of Scotlandand its modest population give little indication of its international significance. The only primate native to Europe, the Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus), inhabits this Mediterranean basin. As a continent with hugely diverse topography, the geographical facts about Europe are going to be an interesting collection. You cannot download interactives. Lets take a short tour around some of the most notable geographical facts about Europe. Of the top 10 largest lakes in Europe, 6 are in Russia, although 1 partly sits in Estonia. Another important physical feature is the southeast-northwest zone of windblown loess deposits that have accumulated from eastern Britain to Ukraine. 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. The continent is awash with stunning beaches so its only right that the facts of European geography include its longest beach. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Climatically, Europe benefits by having only a small proportion of its surface either too cold or too hot and dry for effective settlement and use. Russia is Europe's largest country. For discussion of individual countries of the continent, see specific articles by namee.g., Italy, Poland, and United Kingdom. The Danubian and northern Italian lowlands are thus mountain-ringed islands. Those highland areas include lands of abundant rainfallwhich supplies hydroelectricity and water to industrial citiesand provide summer pastures for cattle. Many Muslim organizations, however, saw the cartoons as bigoted, racist, and insulting. The biggest is Lake Ladoga, which covers just under 7,000 square miles and sits close to St. Petersburg. The Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles conclude the Asian boundary. 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 EU accepts few candidates: member states must maintain a stable, democratic form of government, a free-market economy, and commitment to the rule of law.The rapid growth of the European Union, however, has caused a number of administrative and political tensions. 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. 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). Not only is it pretty huge (2.5 times the size of Mount Vesuvius, which so famously buried Pompeii), but it is also one of the most active volcanoes in the world. 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. Flourishing immigrant communities are bringing in new languages to the continent, including Arabic, Hindi, and Mandarin.A 2006 European study showed that 53 percent of respondents could speak a second language, while 28 percent could speak two foreign languages. With such a large number of nationalities compacted into such a small area, Europe strongly supports individual cultural identities and products.The European Capitals of Culture program, started in 1985, has become one of Europes most important and high-profile cultural events. The western boundary is the Atlantic Ocean. Topography Facts - Earth Science. The northern lowlands are areas of glacial deposition, and, accordingly, their surface is diversified by such features as the Valdai Hills of western Russia; by deposits of boulder clay, sands, and gravels; by glacial lakes; and by the Pripet Marshes, a large ill-drained area of Belarus and Ukraine. Nonetheless, in manufacturing and agriculture Europe still occupies an eminent, if no longer necessarily predominant, position. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. 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. The coasts of the northwestern highlandsand in particular the fjords of Norwayinvite maritime enterprise. Ireland is an island nation on the westernmost edge of Europe. A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. Switzerland, federated country of central Europe. Europe's highest peak, Mount Elbrus at 5,642 meters (18,510 feet), is in the Caucasus Mountains of Russia. The Sami followed and cared for these herds during their grazing cycle. It's a multi-lingual 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. Europe is home to two countries that are completely landlocked by Italy. Aby witryna CORDIS dziaaa poprawnie, obsuga JavaScript musi by wczona. Iceland, having area of 103 000 km, is larger than Ireland (84 406 km). 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. Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC43qCBEfmy-wouPmYlLSpIg/join#europe #India #gypsiesContact Us- info@themysticaland.. Switzerland's administrative capital is Bern, while Lausanne serves as its judicial centre. Brussels is considered to be the largest city of Belgium, according to the population of the Brussels-Capital Region. Western Europe and parts of Central Europe generally fall into the temperate maritime climate (Cfb), the southern part is mostly a Mediterranean climate (mostly Csa, smaller area with Csb), the north-central part and east into central Russia is mostly a humid continental climate (Dfb) and the northern part of the continent is a subarctic climate (Dfc). Some of these concepts include the idea of an elected Senate and the stationing of military troops outside a countrys home region.World War I and World War II dramatically affected the political geography of Europe. Topography and bathymetry are shown in a combination of color with shaded relief. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. The name Europe may also come from combining the Greek roots eur- (wide) and -op (seeing) to form the phrase wide-gazing.Europe is often described as a peninsula of peninsulas. A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. Europe is the second-smallest continent. Around 400 CE, the Alemanni, a Germanic tribe, invaded present-day northern Switzerland. This idea of citizenshipof being connected to and having a voice in your communitybecame the basic building block of democracy. World War I (1914-1918) left about 16 million people dead. Glaciation is the process of land being transformed by glaciers or ice sheets. These journeys varied in length, depending on the migration patterns of specific reindeer herds. It is the smallest country both in size and population. Topographic maps (often called topo maps for short) are large scale maps, often greater than 1:50,000, which means that one inch on the map equals 50,000 inches on the ground. Literally, Europa is now thought to have meant Mainland, rather than the earlier interpretation, Sunset. 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