Map Description:
This Map of Europe shows the countries located on the continent. The map notes the political boundaries of each nation, and makes it easy to distinguish one from the other. Prominent rivers, lakes, and mountain peaks are noted and clearly shown visible the map. The continents that border Europe, Asia and Africa, are also shown on the map. Click on any European Country to get detailed maps and information.
About Europe Continent
Europe is the second smallest continent in the world, spanning some 3,930,000 square miles. The continent covers only two percent of the Earth’s surface. Europe is made up of approximately 47 countries, though the exact number is debatable. By some counts, there are over 50, when the border is pushed eastward, adding Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia to Europe rather than Asia. Even the geographical boundaries are hazy, and have changed drastically throughout history.
Geography of Europe
Europe is the second smallest of all the continents, with a total land area of 3,930,000 sq. miles, and represents 6.80% of the global landmass. Europe is connected by land to Asia on its east, while oceans and seas lie to its southeast, southwest, west, and north side. The continent features a 24,000 mile-long coastline.
Islands and Archipelagoes
Europe is dotted with archipelagoes and islands. This includes the British Isles, Svalbard, Faroe Islands, Novaya Zemlya, Iceland, Franz Josef Land, Sicily, Cyprus, and Crete among others.
| Highest Point |
Mount Elbrus, Russia: 5,642 meters |
| Lowest Point |
Caspian Sea, Russia: -28 meters |
| Geographic Center |
Vilnius, Lithuania - 54° 54' N 25° 19' E |
| Vertical length |
2,076 miles |
| Horizontal length |
1,339 miles |
| Largest countries by area |
Ukraine: 233,090 sq miles |
| Largest Lake |
Lake Ladoga, Russia: 6,834 sq miles |
| Longest River |
Volga: 2,293 miles |
| Largest Active Volcano |
Mount Etna, Italy |
Climate
Western experience a semi-humid continental climate, with cool summers. In Central and Eastern Europe, summers are warm, but winters are often harsh, with snowfall being a commonality.
Population
As per UN Population Division 2016 estimates, Europe is home to 738 million people. The population distribution is; Eastern Europe, 292 million, Western Europe, 191 million, Southern Europe, 152 million, and Northern Europe, 103 million.