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Europe

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You may be surprised to learn that Europe is not its own continent, but actually the smaller, western part of Eurasia. Europe is separated from Eurasia by the Ural Mountains and the Black Sea; However, from a cultural and historical perspective, Europe is commonly acknowledged a continent onto itself.

Europe is quite densely populated, composed of a series of nation states considerably small by international standards. Due to this unique demography, there is relatively high levels of industry and great cultural diversity. Europe is also credited as the birthplace of many of today's modern economic, scientific, technological and philosophical trends.

Europe extends all the way from the Scandinavian region in the polar north, to the warm countries in the Mediterranean Sea. It sprawls laterally from the Irish Atlantic coast, to the wide Russian area in the east. Europe is highly diverse in its geographical make-up, consisting of both small and big peninsulas, including Italy, Scandinavia and the Balkans, and Islands, like Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Sicily and Sardinia. Possessing many lakes and rivers, Europe’s largest ones are situated in Finland and the north west of Russia. The longest river in Europe is the Volga, while the most famous and culturally significant rivers are that of the Danube and Rhine rivers with their largest parts in Germany.

Europe has both wide lowlands - especially in the east – in addition to high elevations, like the Alps, parts of which stand around 5,000 meters tall. There are also some active volcanoes in Iceland and Italy like Etna or Mount Vesuvius. Due to the continent's peculiar shape, there are several enclosed Seas: the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea and the North and East Seas.

Europe has dozens of world famous sights. Travellers with a fondness for a specific climate or landscape will also find themselves well accounted for, thanks to the continent’s great diversity. You can travel to the cool fjords in Norway, the sultry Mediterranean islands of Greece, the rocky Atlantic Coast, or the mountainous regions in Central and Eastern Europe. Due to the continent's long history of civilizations, there is a vast number of historical sights worthy of visiting. You can get a taste of this rich history with a visit to the millenniums old Stonehenge, the Roman cathedrals, or the palaces of the Middle Ages. Fast-forwarding to more recent history, the Eiffel Tower is a noteworthy attraction. All in all, European travellers can expect to experience a kaleidoscope of modern cultures and architectural sights.