Overview
Europe is the sixth-largest continent by area at about 10.2 million square kilometers, but the third most populous, with around 745 million people. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the Ural Mountains and Caspian Sea to the east.
Geography and Physical Features
Europe's terrain ranges from the icy fjords of Scandinavia to the sunny coasts of the Mediterranean. The Alps, Pyrenees, and Carpathians are its principal mountain ranges, while major rivers include the Volga, Danube, and Rhine. Mount Elbrus in Russia, at 5,642 meters, is its highest peak.
Significance
Europe has profoundly shaped global history, being the birthplace of Western civilization, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, and modern democratic institutions. It is home to the European Union, a political and economic bloc of 27 member states with significant global influence.
Notable Facts
Europe contains the smallest country in the world, Vatican City, covering only 0.49 square kilometers. The continent has the second-shortest coastline-to-area ratio of any continent. Iceland sits atop the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.