Europe
is geologically and geographically a peninsula or subcontinent, forming the
westernmost part of Eurasia. Europe is conventionally considered a
continent; this is more of a cultural distinction than a geographic one.
Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic
Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and to the east its boundary is
culturally determined and unclear.
However, the Ural mountains are considered by some to be a
geographical and tectonic landmark separating Europe and Asia.
When considered a continent, Europe is the world's second-smallest continent in
terms of area, with an area of 10,600,000 km˛ (4,140,625 square miles). In
terms of population, it is the third-largest continent. The population of Europe
is roughly 700,000,000: about 11% of the world's population.
European Union
The main block of European Countries are part of the European Union (EU), notable
exceptions are Switzerland, Norway
and some of the Balkan countries.
On 1st May 2004 The
European Union (EU) welcomed Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia & Slovenia. Most European countries
belong, have applied to join or have some formal relationship with the EU.
The remaining countries are Norway and Switzerland together with some ex-Soviet
countries. Most European countries conform to EU time change rules.
Europe
is geologically and geographically a peninsula or subcontinent, forming the
westernmost part of Eurasia. Europe is conventionally considered a
continent; this is more of a cultural distinction than a geographic one.
Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic
Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and to the east its boundary is
culturally determined and unclear.