Map of Europe

Europe Overview

Europe is more a reflection of human culture than of the Earth's geography. Physically, it is little more than a large, irregular peninsula hanging off the enormous Eurasian landmass that stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. It is less than one-fourth the size of Asia, and only slightly larger than the United States. Of all the continents, only Australia is smaller. Still, Europe's role in world history has been great. At one time or another, Europeans have controlled the vast majority of land on Earth. As a result, some traces of European culture - languages, customs, or systems of government - are visible nearly everywhere in the world.

Europe's most important geographical distinction is that no point is very far from an arm of the ocean. This has been a key to its development, for it has given Europeans easy access to the rest of the world.

Europe is also blessed with a large number of navigable rivers, scoured out of the landscape when the glaciers retreated at the end of the Ice Age. Most of Europe's major cities, as well as its factories, are on rivers, some of which are fed by the remnants of these glaciers.

There are five basic regions of Europe: (1) Eastern Europe; (2) Western Europe; (3) Southern Europe; (4) Northern Europe; and (5) British Isles. These regions are based on such factors as cultural commonalties, social parallels, economic linkages, and environmental similarities.

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