10 Facts About Europe

10 Facts About Europe

Europe is a fascinating continent with a rich history and varied climate and culture. Thus it is no surprise that it is also an area rich with interesting facts. Here we will look at ten facts about Europe – there are many more where these come from and this is just a selection of the fascinating things there are to learn about Europe.
1.    Europe is the second smallest continent in the world and consists of just 4 million square miles.
2.    Europe unlike some continents is designated for political more than geographical reasons.
3.    700 million people live in Europe. However birth rates are relatively stagnant – and has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world.
4.    However despite being low in fertility, Europeans are high in generosity and the ten most generous countries in terms of charities are all European. One of the more positive facts about Europe.


5.    Much of the shape of Europe is a result of World War 1 and 2. The First World War caused the complete alteration or dissolution of four empires – the German, Ottoman, Russian and Austro-Hungarian. World War 2 meanwhile resulted in the death of 2.5 percent of the world’s population.
6.    One of the most interesting facts about Europe is that it is believed that Europe is named originally after ‘Europa’ who was a Phoenician Princess from Greek Mythology.
7.    The smallest country in Europe is The Vatican city – actually only 110 acres in total and with a population of just more than 800. It is located within Rome and is the home of Catholicism. Meanwhile the largest country in Europe is Russia (though Russia is only partially European) with an area of 17,098,242km2. These are also the smallest and largest countries in the world. One of the most interesting facts about Europe then is that it includes the smallest and largest countries in the world.
8.    Interestingly 80 to 90 percent of Europe was once covered in forest. In the West one of the perhaps sadder facts about Europe is that this number now stands at only 3 percent.


9.    One of the facts about Europe that is up for the most debate is the number of countries comprising the continent which varies slightly by definition. Approximately there are 50 states or ‘self governing political entities). This is not to be confused with the 27 member states of the EU. Interestingly there are around 70 former countries once a part of Europe that no longer appear on maps due to war and changing boarders.
10.    Europe produces slightly over 18 percent of the world’s oil.