Europe is the second smallest of the world's continents, but has the third largest population. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic, to the south by the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and to the east by the Ural River, the Ural and Carpathian Mountains, and the Caspian Sea. Whether or not Europe is indeed a continent has been debated. Geographically, Europe is a part of the larger continent, Eurasia, though culturally, Europe is seen as a separate continent by most of its inhabitants. In Eastern Europe, Russia and Japan, children in school are taught of... Show more Europe is the second smallest of the world's continents, but has the third largest population. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic, to the south by the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and to the east by the Ural River, the Ural and Carpathian Mountains, and the Caspian Sea. Whether or not Europe is indeed a continent has been debated. Geographically, Europe is a part of the larger continent, Eurasia, though culturally, Europe is seen as a separate continent by most of its inhabitants. In Eastern Europe, Russia and Japan, children in school are taught of the Eurasian continent, but in China, India, Western Europe and the English-speaking world, Eurasia is separated into Europe and Asia. The population of Europe is 739,165,000 - that's roughly one tenth of the world's population as a whole. The continent contains more than 60 cities with over 1 million residents, the largest of these being Moscow, with more than 15 million inhabitants. Istanbul is second largest (13.6 million) and London third (12.5 million). The growth of population in Europe is slowing down though and, perhaps because of this, the average age of the population is increasing. In 2005, 9 of the 10 countries in the world with the highest average age were European. Only one country - Japan - had an older population. All of these people - nearly 3/4 of a billion, old and young alike - live in over 50 countries, principalities and territories, each with their own flag. According to Greek mythology, Europa was a princess who was abducted by Zeus whilst he was disguised as a bull. Following Zeus's unwanted attentions, Europa gave birth to King Minos on the island of Crete. Though she has little connection to the continent which bears her name, sometime around the 6th century BC this Queen of Crete became a synonym for Europe. Later, the Romans followed the Greek example and the continent became forever after known by the name of this mythical queen. Whatever the reason it was chosen, the name has stuck. The continent is home to a variety of cultures who dwell in more than 50 nations, but all have been influenced by those ancient Greek forebears who were the first to name this land. Europe was, for a long time, the most powerful continent on Earth. From the 16th to the 20th centuries European nations governed parts of the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and a good part of Asia too. Europe though, was the victim of its own success. The scientific and industrial advances which had begun on the continent created terrible weapons which were unleashed in two world wars - both centred on Europe. The destruction caused brought an end to Europe's dominance, and in the aftermath the United States of America and the Soviet Union stepped into Europe's shoes as the most powerful nation's on Earth. In the latter half of the 20th century Europe was divided between a capitalist west and a communist east, but with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Europe has become more integrated than ever before under the mantle of the EU. The geology found in different areas of Europe varies incredibly, from highlands and mountains to lowlands and plains. It has a plethora of seas and an intricate coastline, which includes the fjords of Scandinavia and the lochs of Scotland, both carved by the slow march of ancient glaciers The differences in landscape are mirrored in the differences between nations, from the Arctic north to the balmy Mediterranean, the western island nations to the grand plains of the east. What we think of as Western Culture began in Europe. In ancient Greece European philosophers and scientists first emerged, alongside the beginnings of Democracy. After the Greeks came the Romans, who brought order to the rest of the continent, and spread their new faith, Christianity, to all corners of their empire. The middle ages saw a decline in the standing of Europe, before the renaissance brought it back to its position of dominance; a position which it maintained for over 500 years until the aftermath of World War Two. Today, the once vast empires of the European powers are gone and the continent is divided between more than 50 states and territories. Show less
Europe is the second smallest of the world's continents, but has the third largest population. It is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic, to the south by the Mediterranean and Black Seas, and to the east by the Ural River, the Ural and Carpathian Mountains, and the Caspian Sea.
Whether or not Europe is indeed a continent has been debated. Geographically, Europe is a part of the larger continent, Eurasia, though culturally, Europe is seen as a separate continent by most of its inhabitants. In Eastern Europe, Russia and Japan, children in school are taught of the Eurasian continent, but in China, India, Western Europe and the English-speaking world, Eurasia is separated into Europe and Asia.
The population of Europe is 739,165,000 - that's roughly one tenth of the world's population as a whole. The continent contains more than 60 cities with over 1 million residents, the largest of these being Moscow, with more than 15 million inhabitants. Istanbul is second largest (13.6 million) and London third (12.5 million).
The growth of population in Europe is slowing down though and, perhaps because of this, the average age of the population is increasing. In 2005, 9 of the 10 countries in the world with the highest average age were European. Only one country - Japan - had an older population.
All of these people - nearly 3/4 of a billion, old and young alike - live in over 50 countries, principalities and territories, each with their own flag.
According to Greek mythology, Europa was a princess who was abducted by Zeus whilst he was disguised as a bull. Following Zeus's unwanted attentions, Europa gave birth to King Minos on the island of Crete.
Though she has little connection to the continent which bears her name, sometime around the 6th century BC this Queen of Crete became a synonym for Europe. Later, the Romans followed the Greek example and the continent became forever after known by the name of this mythical queen.
Whatever the reason it was chosen, the name has stuck. The continent is home to a variety of cultures who dwell in more than 50 nations, but all have been influenced by those ancient Greek forebears who were the first to name this land.
Europe was, for a long time, the most powerful continent on Earth. From the 16th to the 20th centuries European nations governed parts of the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and a good part of Asia too.
Europe though, was the victim of its own success. The scientific and industrial advances which had begun on the continent created terrible weapons which were unleashed in two world wars - both centred on Europe. The destruction caused brought an end to Europe's dominance, and in the aftermath the United States of America and the Soviet Union stepped into Europe's shoes as the most powerful nation's on Earth.
In the latter half of the 20th century Europe was divided between a capitalist west and a communist east, but with the collapse of the Soviet Union, Europe has become more integrated than ever before under the mantle of the EU.
The geology found in different areas of Europe varies incredibly, from highlands and mountains to lowlands and plains. It has a plethora of seas and an intricate coastline, which includes the fjords of Scandinavia and the lochs of Scotland, both carved by the slow march of ancient glaciers
The differences in landscape are mirrored in the differences between nations, from the Arctic north to the balmy Mediterranean, the western island nations to the grand plains of the east.
What we think of as Western Culture began in Europe. In ancient Greece European philosophers and scientists first emerged, alongside the beginnings of Democracy. After the Greeks came the Romans, who brought order to the rest of the continent, and spread their new faith, Christianity, to all corners of their empire.
The middle ages saw a decline in the standing of Europe, before the renaissance brought it back to its position of dominance; a position which it maintained for over 500 years until the aftermath of World War Two.
Today, the once vast empires of the European powers are gone and the continent is divided between more than 50 states and territories.
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