Geography of Europe

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Template:Short description Template:For Template:More citations needed Template:Infobox Continent

Europe is traditionally defined as one of seven continents. Physiographically, it is the northwestern peninsula of the larger landmass known as Eurasia (or the larger Afro-Eurasia); Asia occupies the centre and east of this continuous landmass. Europe's eastern frontier is usually delineated by the Ural Mountains in Russia, which is the largest country by land area in the continent. The southeast boundary with Asia is not universally defined, but the modern definition is generally the Ural River or, less commonly, the Emba River. 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. The Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles conclude the Asian boundary. The Mediterranean Sea to the south separates Europe from Africa. The western boundary is the Atlantic Ocean. Iceland is usually included in Europe because it is over twice as close to mainland Europe as mainland North America. There is ongoing debate on where the geographical centre of Europe falls.

File:Western to Eastern Europe.ogv
This video was taken by the crew of Expedition 30 on board the ISS on a pass over Europe. The two videos were shot simultaneously using different cameras: one pointing toward the northeast, and one pointing toward the east.

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Overview

File:Europa-bei-nacht 1-1024x768.jpg
Satellite image of Europe by night
File:1916 physical map Europe.jpg
1916 physical map of Europe
File:Europe topography map en.png
Topography of Europe

Some geographical texts refer to a Eurasian continent given that Europe is not surrounded by sea and its southeastern border has always been variously defined for centuries.

In terms of shape, Europe is a collection of connected peninsulas and nearby islands. The two largest peninsulas are Europe itself and Scandinavia to the north, divided from each other by the Baltic Sea. Three smaller peninsulas—Iberia, Italy, and the Balkans—emerge from the southern margin of the mainland. The Balkan peninsula is separated from Asia by the Black and Aegean Seas. Italy is separated from the Balkans by the Adriatic Sea, and from Iberia by the Mediterranean Sea, which also separates Europe from Africa. Eastward, mainland Europe widens much like the mouth of a funnel, until the boundary with Asia is reached at the Ural Mountains and Ural River, the Caspian Sea, and the Caucasus Mountains.

Land relief in Europe shows great variation within relatively small areas. The southern regions are mountainous while moving north the terrain descends from the high Alps, Pyrenees, and Carpathians, through hilly uplands, into broad, low northern plains, which are vast in the east. An arc of uplands also exists along the northwestern seaboard, beginning in southwestern Ireland, continuing across through western and northern Great Britain, and up along the mountainous, fjord-cut spine of Norway.

This description is simplified. 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. Iceland and the British Isles are special cases. The former is of North Atlantic volcanic formation, while the latter consist of upland areas once joined to the mainland until cut off by rising sea levels.

Partial list of European peninsulas

Geology

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File:Vourvourou-Greece.jpg
The coast of Europe is heavily indented with bays and gulfs, as here in Greece.

Europe's most significant geological feature is the dichotomy between the highlands and mountains of Southern Europe and a vast, partially underwater, northern plain ranging from Great Britain in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east.Template:Citation needed These two halves are separated by the mountain chains of the Pyrenees and the Alps/Carpathians. The northern plains are delimited in the west by the Scandinavian Mountains and the mountainous parts of the British Isles. The major shallow water bodies submerging parts of the northern plains are the Celtic Sea, the North Sea, the Baltic Sea complex, and the Barents Sea.

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.

The geology of Europe is hugely varied and complex, and gives rise to the wide variety of landscapes found across the continent, from the Scottish Highlands to the rolling plains of Hungary.

Population

Throughout history, the population of Europe has been affected by migration into and out of the continent, disease and conflict. Figures for the population of Europe vary according to which definition of European boundaries is used. The population within the standard physical geographical boundaries was 701 million in 2005 according to the United Nations. In 2000 the population was 857 million, using a definition which includes the whole of the transcontinental countries of Russia and Turkey. Population growth is comparatively slow, and median age comparatively high in relation to the world's other continents.

Rivers

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File:Саратовский мост.jpeg
The Volga, the longest river in Europe, in Saratov Oblast, Russia
File:Buda Castle Hill and the Chain Bridge, 2013 Budapest city 09.jpg
The Danube, Europe's second-longest river, in Budapest, Hungary

The most important rivers in Europe are Danube, Volga, Rhine, Elbe, Oder and Dnieper, among others.Template:Explain Europe's largest waterfall (by flow rate) are the Rhine Falls.

European rivers by length

The longest rivers in Europe, directly flowing into the World Ocean or Endorheic basins, with their approximate lengths:<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Template:Columns-list

  1. VolgaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  2. DanubeTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  3. UralTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  4. DnieperTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  5. DonTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  6. PechoraTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  7. DniesterTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  8. RhineTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  9. ElbeTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  10. VistulaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  11. TagusTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  12. DaugavaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  13. LoireTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  14. EbroTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  15. PrutTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  16. NemanTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  17. MeuseTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  18. DouroTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  19. Kuban RiverTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  20. MezenTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert<ref name="GSE">Template:Cite book</ref>
  21. OderTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  22. GuadianaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  23. RhôneTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  24. Southern BugTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  25. KumaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  26. SeineTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  27. MureșTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  28. Northern DvinaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  29. PoTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  30. GuadalquivirTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  31. Bolshoy UzenTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  32. SiretTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  33. TerekTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  34. GlommaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert (Norway's longest and most voluminous river)
  35. GaronneTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  36. KemijokiTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  37. MainTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert (longest (right) tributary of Rhine)
  38. TorneTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  39. DalälvenTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  40. MaritsaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  41. MarneTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert (major tributary of the Seine)
  42. NerisTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  43. JúcarTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  44. DordogneTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  45. UmeTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  46. ÅngermanTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert (Sweden's longest rivers)
  47. LuleTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  48. GaujaTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  49. WeserTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert
  50. KalixTemplate:SndTemplate:Convert

European rivers by discharge

File:Europe as viewed from the USSR, 1944.jpg
Europe as viewed from the East

The 15 rivers of Europe by average discharge, including only rivers directly flowing into the World Ocean or Endorheic basins:

  1. VolgaTemplate:Snd8,087 m3/s (largest river in Eastern Europe)
  2. DanubeTemplate:Snd6,450 m3/s (largest river in Central Europe)
  3. PechoraTemplate:Snd4,380m³/s
  4. Northern DvinaTemplate:Snd3,330m³/s
  5. NevaTemplate:Snd2,490 m3/s
  6. RhineTemplate:Snd2,315 m3/s (largest river in Western Europe)
  7. RhôneTemplate:Snd1,900 m3/s (largest river in France)
  8. DnieperTemplate:Snd1,700 m3/s
  9. PoTemplate:Snd1,460 m3/s (largest river in Italy)
  10. VistulaTemplate:Snd1,080 m3/s (largest river in Poland)
  11. DonTemplate:Snd890 m3/s
  12. MezenTemplate:Snd890 m3/s
  13. LoireTemplate:Snd889 m3/s (longest river in France)
  14. ElbeTemplate:Snd860 m3/s
  15. GlommaTemplate:Snd709 m3/s (Norway's longest and most voluminous river)

Lakes and inland seas

File:Lake Seydozero, Sacred Sami Lake in Murmansk Oblast, Russia.jpg
Lake Seydozero in the Kola Peninsula, one of Europe's largest peninsulas (Northern Russia)

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Major islands

Template:See also Aegean Islands, Åland, Balearic Islands, British Isles, Corsica, Crete, Cyprus (Adjacent to Asia), Fyn, Faroe Islands, Gotland, Hinnøya, Iceland, Ionian Islands, Malta, North Jutlandic Island, Saaremaa, Sardinia, Senja, Sicily, Svalbard and Zealand.

Plains and lowlands

File:Stara planina2.JPG
View across the Bulgarian section of the Lower Danubian Plain towards the central Balkan Mountains 90 km away

Mountain ranges

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File:Elbrus view on the mountains.jpg
Mount Elbrus, located in Russia, is the highest mountain in Europe.

Some of Europe's major mountain ranges are:

File:Musala.JPG
Musala, highest peak of the Balkans seen from Yastrebets. The chalet Musala and the Everest shelter can be seen as well.
File:Liqeni i Madh i Buni Jezerce.png
Maja Jezercë in Albania at 2,694 m high is the highest peak of the Dinaric Alps.

Land area in different classes of European mountainous terrain

File:Olympus National Park 30.jpg
Mount Olympus, legendary abode of the Greek gods
Altitude Area (km2) % Area
≥4500 m 1 0.00%
3500–4500 m 225 0.00%
2500–3500 m 497,886 4.89%
1500–2500 m & slope ≥2° 145,838 1.43%
1000-1500m & slope ≥5°
or local elevation range >300m 		345,255 3.39%
300–1000 m
and local elevation range >300m 		1,222,104 12.00%
Mountainous total 2,211,308 21.72%
Europe total 10,180,000 100.00%
Source:<ref>UNEP-WCMC</ref>

Temperature and precipitation

File:Another View to lake Iso-Vietonen from Liinankivaara Mountainside.jpg
The Arctic environment of Lapland

The high mountainous areas of Europe are colder and have higher precipitation than lower areas, as is true of mountainous areas in general. Europe has less precipitation in the east than in central and western Europe. The temperature difference between summer and winter gradually increases from coastal northwest Europe to southeast inland Europe, ranging from Ireland, with a temperature difference of only 10 °C from the warmest to the coldest month, to the area north of the Caspian Sea, with a temperature difference of 40 °C. January average range from 13 °C in southern Spain and southern Greek islands to -20 °C in the northeastern part of European Russia. Desert climates are found in the European portion of Kazakhstan and South Eastern Spain.

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). In the extreme northern part (northernmost Russia; Svalbard), bordering the Arctic Ocean, is tundra climate (Et). Mountain ranges, such as the Alps and the Carpathian mountains, have a highland climate with large variations according to altitude and latitude.

Climate

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File:Europe Köppen Map.png
European climate. The Köppen-Geiger climates map is presented by the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia and the Global Precipitation Climatology Center of the Deutscher Wetterdienst.

Europe's climate is diverse due to its extensive range from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Mediterranean Sea in the south, and from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east. Several climatic zones intersect the continent, influenced by factors such as latitude, proximity to water bodies, elevation, and prevailing wind patterns.

The North Atlantic Drift, a warm ocean current, significantly moderates temperatures across much of Western Europe, resulting in relatively mild winters for regions at similar latitudes elsewhere. This effect is particularly evident in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and coastal Norway, which experience oceanic climates characterized by cool summers and mild, wet winters.

Southern Europe enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This climate predominates in countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece, where seasonal rainfall supports agriculture and tourism. Eastern Europe and parts of the continent's interior feature continental climates with more pronounced seasonal temperature differences, including cold winters and warm summers. Precipitation in these regions is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year.

Northern Europe, including Scandinavia, is characterized by subarctic and tundra climates, where winters are long and harsh, and summers are short and cool. The Arctic portions of Europe, particularly in Russia and Norway, also experience polar climates. Mountainous regions, such as the Alps and the Carpathians, exhibit alpine climates, with temperature and precipitation patterns that vary with altitude. Higher elevations generally experience cooler temperatures and greater precipitation, often in the form of snow.

Europe's climate zones have been further influenced by anthropogenic climate change, leading to rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events across the continent.

Landlocked countries

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

Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, and North Macedonia constitute a contiguous landlocked agglomeration of eight countries in Central Europe and the Balkans, stretching from Geneva all the way to Skopje. The other landlocked countries are "standalone" landlocked, not bordering any other such European one (the emphasis is necessary, since Kazakhstan borders Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, thus forming a vast landlocked expanse in Central Asia).

Countries consisting solely of islands or parts of islands

Countries bordering or spanning another continent

Eurasia Armenia, Azerbaijan, Republic of Cyprus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkey, Greece (some Aegean islands and Kastelorizo island in southeastern Mediterranean)
Europe-Africa Malta, Spain (Ceuta, Melilla and Canary Islands), Italy (Lampedusa and Lampione), Portugal (Madeira),<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> France (Réunion and Mayotte)
Europe-South America France (French Guiana)
Europe-North America France (Guadeloupe, Martinique, and St. Pierre et Miquelon), Iceland, Denmark (Greenland), the Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius), Portugal (Corvo Island, Flores Island)

Countries whose capital is not the most populous

Country Capital Largest city or municipality
Template:Flag Vaduz Schaan
Template:Flag Valletta Birkirkara
Template:Flag San Marino Serravalle
Template:Flag Bern Zürich
Template:Flag Ankara Istanbul

Note: Italy's capital, Rome, is the country's largest city if only the municipality (comune) is considered. Greater Milan is the largest metropolitan area in Italy.

Brussels is considered to be the largest city of Belgium, according to the population of the Brussels-Capital Region. The population of the City of Brussels is ~175,000. Antwerp is the biggest city of the country.

List of countries by the number of other countries they border

File:Neighbouring Countries of Europe.png
Map of European countries by number of neighbouring countries
14 Russia (Including Kaliningrad)
11 France (Including overseas departments and territories)
9 Germany
8 Austria, Serbia, Turkey, France (Excluding overseas departments)
7 Hungary, Poland, Ukraine
6 Italy
5 Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kazakhstan, Romania, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Spain (Including Ceuta and Melilla), Switzerland
4 Albania, Armenia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Greece, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Slovenia
3 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, the Netherlands (Including Sint Maarten), Norway, Luxembourg
2 Andorra, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Sweden
1 Denmark, Ireland, Monaco, Portugal, San Marino, the United Kingdom, Vatican City
0 Iceland, Cyprus, Malta

See also

References

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