Complete guide to the Science Museum, including Visitor Info, Ticket Prices, Opening Times, History, Fun Facts, and more. Explore this popular....
Europe is a continent of ancient ruins, medieval cathedrals, royal palaces, snow-capped mountains and deep fjords.
The man-made wonders of Europe include the Colosseum in Rome, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Acropolis of Athens, Stonehenge in England, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Alhambra in Granada, and the Kremlin and Red Square in Moscow.
Two of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia and the Colossus of Rhodes, stood in Greece.
Natural wonders of Europe range from the Sognefjord in Norway and the Alps to the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia and the Vatnajökull glacier in Iceland.
Europe is the western part of Eurasia, bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
Eurasia is the giant landmass that Europe shares with Asia. Europe's part of Eurasia is a string of peninsulas reaching west into the Atlantic Ocean, including the Iberian, Italian, Balkan and Scandinavian peninsulas.
To the east, Europe joins Asia on land, along a boundary that runs from the Ural Mountains to the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea.
From west to east, Europe stretches from Iceland to the Ural Mountains of Russia. Europe's northernmost point is the Svalbard archipelago of Norway, in the Arctic Ocean, and Europe reaches as far south as the islands of Greece and Malta.
The whole of Europe lies in the Northern Hemisphere. The prime meridian, the line of 0° longitude, passes through Greenwich in London, so most of Europe lies in the Eastern Hemisphere. Iceland, Ireland and Portugal lie west of the prime meridian, in the Western Hemisphere.
No, Europe is not a country. Europe is a continent made up of many countries, from Iceland and Portugal in the west to Russia in the east.
Europe is one of the seven continents, together with Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica and Oceania.
The European Union (EU) is not a country either. The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 European countries, created in 1993.
Many European countries are not members of the European Union, including Norway, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
There are 44 countries in Europe, according to the United Nations list of countries by region. Forty-three of the 44 European countries are United Nations member states. The 44th European country is Vatican City, which the United Nations lists as the Holy See.
Europe also includes 7 territories that are not independent countries. The 7 European territories are the Åland Islands, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Jersey, and Svalbard and Jan Mayen.
Turkey, Cyprus, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan are in Asia on the United Nations list. Some geographers count part or all of each of these 6 countries as European. Kosovo does not appear on the United Nations list.
Europe covers about 10,000,000 km² (3,900,000 sq mi), making it the second-smallest continent on Earth, after Oceania. Europe covers nearly one-fifteenth of the land area of the world.
Europe is slightly larger than the United States, which covers 9,834,000 km² (3,797,000 sq mi), according to the United Nations.
Europe covers 22,135,000 km² (8,546,000 sq mi), according to the United Nations, because it counts all of Russia, Siberia included, as part of Europe.
The coastline of mainland Europe is about 38,000 km (24,000 mi) long, because bays, fjords, and seas cut deep into the European coast.
The map below shows the wonders in Europe. Click a pin to open a guide.
Complete guide to the Science Museum, including Visitor Info, Ticket Prices, Opening Times, History, Fun Facts, and more. Explore this popular....
Immerse yourself in all aspects of the natural world both past and present at the Natural History Museum, one of London’s most popular tourist attractions. What Is The Natural History Museum? The Natural History Museum in London houses one of the world’s most significant collections of specimens of the natural world. Having been collated for […]
Immerse yourself in thousands of years of world history and culture by taking time to explore the many artifacts contained within the spectacular building which houses the British Museum. What Is The British Museum? With visitor numbers of more than six million people a year, the British Museum is one of the most popular attractions […]
Complete guide to the National Gallery in London: Visitor Info, Admission Prices, Opening Times, History, Fun Facts, & more. Explore this popular....
Take in over 1400 years of history and marvel at the architecture at one of London’s most iconic landmarks. St Paul's Cathedral is a true wonder of London, and a "must see" for any visitor. What Is St Paul's Cathedral? An impressive sight on the London skyline, St Paul’s Cathedral is a Baroque-style Anglican cathedral […]
Don’t forget to bring your wand and spellbook and step straight into JK Rowling’s world of wizards and witches at The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour London. Ride a broomstick over the streets of London and take a stroll through the Forbidden forest - who knows what creatures are lurking there…. What […]
Take a walk in the footsteps of Britain’s Kings and Queens in some of their most important moments - a place where history was made for over 900 hundred years! What Is Westminster Abbey? One of the most famous and well recognised religious buildings in the world, Westminster Abbey has over 900 years of history. […]
Welcome to one of London's most famous attractions - the one where not all previous visitors managed to get out alive! Walk the path of Royalty gone by and discover the rich, and sometimes grisly, history of one of London’s oldest and greatest landmarks... What Is The Tower of London? At nearly 1000 years old […]
Cluny Abbey once had the largest church in Christendom. Find out what happened to it, what still stands, and how to see the abbey for yourself...
York Minster is the biggest Gothic Cathedral in York, Northern Europe with 160m long and 76m wide. It is the seat of the Archbishop of York and Cathedral for the Diocese of York. It is formally title as The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York. The cathedral was built between the 12th […]
The Seven Sisters are located in the English county of East Sussex, on the coast of the English Channel. Along Eastbourne Download form the eastern end of the famous South Downs Way. These series of chalk cliffs are within the Seven Sisters Country Park and between Seaford and Eastbourne towns, in southern England. The remnants […]
Hadrian’s Wall was built in the years AD 122-30 by order of the Emperor Hadrian. It is a Roman frontier with 80 miles long and ran from Wallsend-in Tyne to Bowness on the Solway Firth, of what is now Northumberland in northern England. It was built to prevent military raids on Roman Britain by the […]
Eden Project is located in a Kaolinite pit, 2km from the town of St. Blazey and 5 km from the larger town of St Austell, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Dubbed like the “Eighth wonder of the World”, the area is a dramatic global garden housed in tropical biomes nestles in a crater of 30 football pitches […]
Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest Christian churches in England and forms part of World Heritage Site. “Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Christ at Canterbury” is the formal title and it was founded in 602 AD by St. Augustine, it still functions as the cathedral of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the leader […]
Would you like to be the King (or Queen) of the Castle? Maybe you’ll need to look a little further afield however, as this one is already occupied! With history spanning nearly 1000 years, Windsor Castle is the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle and is the weekend home to the current Queen of England, […]
It's possibly the best way to see all the London attractions at once, as long as you have a head for heights! The London Eye is a relatively new major landmark that towers over the river Thames from it’s position on the South Bank and is instantly recognisable due to it’s sheer size and shape. […]
Do you think you could make decisions that shape a whole nation? A visit to the Houses of Parliament, and the very famous and immediately recognisable clock tower standing alongside it, is the place to go to see how this happens in the UK. Located in the Palace of Westminster, the home of the UK’s […]
Complete guide to Buckingham Palace, including Visitor Info, Admission Prices, Opening Times, History, Fun Facts, and more. Discover how you can....
Blenheim Palace, a large and monumental country house, is situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England. It is one of England’s largest houses and it was built between 1705 and circa 1724. In 1987, it was recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exquisite Baroque Palace was designed by John Vanbrugh, in a heavy Italo-Corinthian style. This […]
Emperors, sultans, earthquakes and legends: discover the 1,500-year story of Hagia Sophia, its architecture and mosaics, and how to plan your own...
Why does the Leaning Tower of Pisa lean, and will it ever fall? Discover the tower's history, the Galileo legend, and how to plan your climb to the top...
The official history and mysteries of Stonehenge. Discover where these stones really came from, and get tips on tickets, tours and the secret way to...
From an Anglo-Saxon saint to Hollywood film crews, find out what makes Ely Cathedral a Wonder of the Middle Ages, and how to see it for yourself...
Lake Baikal is one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. See how it formed, what lives in it, and why scientists still study its depths...
The Colosseum in Rome is the only European wonder on the list of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
European wonders also appear on the following world wonder lists.
The Temple of Artemis and the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, two more ancient wonders, stood in the Asian part of Turkey. Lake Baikal, one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World, lies in the Asian part of Russia.
The Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis of Athens, and other famous European landmarks were finalists in the New Seven Wonders vote, but were not chosen.
Europe is known as the birthplace of Western civilization, with the ruins of ancient Greece and Rome, prehistoric monuments and great medieval churches.
Ancient Greek temples and sanctuaries survive at sites such as Olympia, once home of the Statue of Zeus. The Roman Empire covered much of Europe at its greatest extent, in the 2nd century AD. Roman monuments such as the Colosseum still stand in Rome and across the old empire.
Stonehenge in England is one of Europe's best-known prehistoric monuments. Medieval churches and cathedrals stand across the continent, from Hagia Sophia in Istanbul to Ely Cathedral in England.
Yes, Turkey is partly in Europe, although most of Turkey lies in Asia. The European part of Turkey, called Turkish Thrace, is a small area in southeastern Europe, bordering Greece and Bulgaria.
Turkey is in Western Asia on the United Nations list. Turkey is geologically Asian, but Turkish culture shares many elements with European culture, and some geographers count the whole of Turkey as part of Europe for that reason.
Turkey has also applied to join the European Union.
Yes, the United Kingdom is in Europe. The United Kingdom lies on the British Isles, off the northwest coast of mainland Europe. The UK is in Northern Europe on the United Nations list.
England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the four parts of the United Kingdom, are all in Europe.
The United Kingdom left the European Union on January 31, 2020, after a 2016 referendum, but the UK is still a European country. The Channel Tunnel links England to France under the English Channel.
Yes, Russia is partly in Europe. European Russia, the part of Russia west of the Ural Mountains, covers much of eastern and northeastern Europe.
Siberia, the part of Russia east of the Ural Mountains, is in Asia.
Moscow, Russia's capital, and St. Petersburg both lie in European Russia. Most Russians live in European Russia, especially around Moscow.
Russia is the largest country in Europe, covering 17,098,000 km² (6,602,000 sq mi) in total, according to the United Nations. Most of Russia's landmass lies east of the Ural Mountains, in Asia.
Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, after Russia. Ukraine is also the largest country that lies entirely within Europe, covering 604,000 km² (233,000 sq mi), including Crimea.
Metropolitan France, the part of France that lies in Europe, covers 552,000 km² (213,000 sq mi), which makes France the third-largest country in Europe.
Vatican City is the smallest country in Europe, covering 0.44 km² (0.17 sq mi), about 44 hectares (108 acres). The Vatican, also called Vatican City, is the smallest fully independent country in the world.
The Vatican is an enclave surrounded by the city of Rome, in Italy. Medieval and Renaissance walls mark most of the border of Vatican City.
Vatican City is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and home of the pope. St. Peter's Basilica, one of the largest churches in the Christian world, stands inside Vatican City.
Mount Elbrus, in the Caucasus Mountains of southwestern Russia, is the highest mountain in Europe, rising 5,642 m (18,510 ft) above sea level. Mount Elbrus is an extinct volcano with two summits.
Most geographers draw the border between Europe and Asia north of the Caucasus Mountains, which puts Mount Elbrus in Asia.
On that border, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Europe, at 4,807 m (15,771 ft). Mont Blanc stands in the Alps on the border of France and Italy. The summit of Mont Blanc is in France.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe, flowing 3,530 km (2,193 mi) through western Russia. The Volga rises in the Valdai Hills northwest of Moscow and flows south into the Caspian Sea.
The Volga basin, the land drained by the Volga and its tributaries, covers about 1,380,000 km² (533,000 sq mi), the largest river basin in Europe.
The Danube flows 2,850 km (1,770 mi) across central and southeastern Europe, from the Black Forest of Germany to the Black Sea.
Moscow, the capital of Russia, is the largest city in Europe, with about 16.2 million people in the Moscow urban area.
Istanbul, the largest city of Turkey, is close in size to Moscow, with 15.7 million people in 2025. Istanbul spans Europe and Asia, so only part of Istanbul is in Europe.
About 745 million people live in Europe, according to United Nations figures for 2024. The United Nations total includes all of Russia and excludes Turkey, Cyprus, and the countries of the Caucasus.
Russia is Europe's most populous country, with about 144 million people in 2025. Germany, with about 84 million people, is the most populous country that lies entirely within Europe.
The United Kingdom, with about 70 million people, and France, with about 67 million, are the next most populous countries in Europe.
No, Georgia is usually counted as part of Asia, although some geographers place it in Europe. Georgia lies in the Caucasus region, between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, with Armenia and Azerbaijan to the south and east.
Most geographers draw the border of Europe north of the Caucasus Mountains, which puts Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Asia.
Some geographers draw the border along the Aras River and the border of Turkey, which puts Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in Europe.
Yes, Iceland is in Europe. Iceland is an island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, listed in Northern Europe by the United Nations.
Other islands far north and west of mainland Europe, such as Svalbard and the Faroe Islands, also count as part of Europe.
Iceland is a volcanic island on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the line on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean where the ocean is still slowly widening. Volcanoes still erupt in Iceland because of that widening.
Yes, a small part of Kazakhstan is in Europe, although most of Kazakhstan lies in Asia. The part of Kazakhstan west of the Emba River and the Mughalzhar Hills lies on the European side of the border most geographers use.
The Mughalzhar Hills are a southern extension of the Ural Mountains. The border of Europe follows the Ural Mountains south, then the Mughalzhar Hills and the Emba River, to the northern shore of the Caspian Sea.
No, Cyprus is not geographically in Europe, although it is often regarded as a European country. Cyprus is an island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey. Geologically, the island of Cyprus is part of Asia.
Cyprus shares many elements of European culture. The Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union in 2004 and has used the euro since 2008.
No, US citizens do not need a visa for tourism or business trips of up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a group of 29 European countries that share the same entry rules, with no border checks between them.
A US passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area. For a longer stay, or to work or study, apply for a visa at the embassy of the country where you plan to spend most of your time.
The United Kingdom is outside the Schengen Area. US citizens need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to visit the UK.
The full list of Schengen countries is in the US State Department's guide for travelers in Europe.
Europe does not have a capital, because Europe is a continent. Each European country has its own capital.
Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is home to the European Commission, one of the European Union's main institutions.
The European Parliament, another European Union institution, is based in Strasbourg, France, Brussels, and Luxembourg. The European Parliament usually holds its full meetings in Strasbourg for four days each month.
Lake Ladoga, in northwestern Russia, is the largest lake in Europe, covering about 17,600 km² (6,700 sq mi). Lake Ladoga lies about 40 km (25 mi) east of St. Petersburg.
The second-largest lake in Europe is Lake Onega, also in northwestern Russia, at 9,720 km² (3,753 sq mi).
The Caspian Sea, on the border of Europe and Asia, is larger than Lake Ladoga. The Caspian Sea is the largest inland body of water in the world, but is usually counted as a sea.
Europe does not have one shared language. Most European languages belong to three large families, the Romance, Germanic and Slavic languages, which all descend from one ancient Indo-European language.
The Romance languages, such as French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Romanian, come from Latin and dominate western and Mediterranean Europe. The Germanic languages, such as German, Dutch, English and Swedish, are spoken in central, northern and northwestern Europe. The Slavic languages, such as Russian, Ukrainian and Polish, are spoken in eastern and southeastern Europe.
Hungarian, Finnish and Estonian belong to a different family, the Uralic languages. The origins of Basque, spoken in the western Pyrenees, are unknown.
The European Union alone has 24 official languages.
Europe is called Europe after Europa, a princess in Greek mythology, according to the usual explanation of the name.
The ancient Greeks used the name Europa for the wide lands that lay north of Greece. Learned Greeks set Europa apart from Asia and from Libya, their name for the known northern part of Africa.
The original meaning of the Greek word Europa is uncertain. Europa is now thought to have meant "mainland". An older reading gave the meaning of Europa as "sunset". Another explanation joins the Greek roots eur- (wide) and op- (seeing), giving "wide-gazing".