Europe is the second smallest continent in the world. Learn interesting facts about countries in Europe. Explore the most populous and largest countries in Europe.
Europe is the second smallest continent in the world, after Australia, but also the third most populous continent with more than 750 million people. It lies entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and largely in the Eastern Hemisphere. Europe shares its continental landmass, known as Afro-Eurasia, with Africa and Asia. The area of Europe covers approximately 10.53 million square kilometers (4.06 million square miles).
To the north, Europe borders the Arctic Ocean, while the Atlantic Ocean lies to the west. To the south you will meet the Mediterranean Sea and to the east the Black Sea, Caspian Sea and the Ural Mountains define its boundaries.
When it comes to languages, you will hear many different languages, including English, German, French, Russian, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, Spanish, Norse and Eastern European languages. English is the most widely spoken language, with more than 380 million speakers across the continent.
Europe map
List of European countries
There are 50 countries in Europe, but only 44 of them have capitals in mainland Europe. The largest country in Europe is Russia, followed by Ukraine and France. The smallest country in Europe is Vatican City, with an area of only about 0.44 square kilometers (0.17 square miles).
Below is a list of European countries:
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| 1 | Russia |
| 2 | Germany |
| 3 | United Kingdom |
| 4 | France |
| 5 | IDEA |
| 6 | Spain |
| 7 | Ukraine |
| 8 | Poland |
| 9 | Romania |
| 10 | Netherlands |
| 11 | Belgium |
| 12 | Czech |
| 13 | Greece |
| 14 | Portugal |
| 15 | Sweden |
| 16 | Hungary |
| 17 | Belarus |
| 18 | Shirt |
| 19 | Serbia |
| 20 | Switzerland |
| 21 | Bulgaria |
| 22 | Denmark |
| 23 | Finland |
| 24 | Slovakia |
| 25 | Norway |
| 26 | Ireland |
| 27 | Croatia |
| 28 | Moldova |
| 29 | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 30 | Albania |
| 31 | Lithuania |
| 32 | North Macedonia |
| 33 | Slovenia |
| 34 | Latvia |
| 35 | Kosovo |
| 36 | Estonia |
| 37 | Montenegro |
| 38 | Luxembourg |
| 39 | Malta |
| 40 | Iceland |
| 41 | Andorra |
| 42 | Monaco |
| 43 | Liechtenstein |
| 44 | San Marino |
| 45 | Holy See |
Top 10 European countries by population
Here are the top 10 European countries by population, with an estimated population in 2023. Russia is by far the most populous country in Europe with more than 145 million people. Germany, Great Britain, France and Italy are the next four most populous countries, each with more than 60 million people.
| Top 10 European countries by population | |
| European countries | Population |
| Russia | 145.6 million |
| Germany | 83.1 million |
| France | 68 million |
| United Kingdom | 66.8 million |
| IDEA | 60.2 million |
| Spain | 47 million |
| Ukraine | 44.3 million |
| Poland | 37.9 million |
| Romania | 19.3 million |
| Netherlands | 17.3 million |
Top 10 European countries by area
Below is a list of the top 10 European countries by area, with land area in square kilometers (km2). Russia is by far the largest country in Europe, both in terms of population and area. Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe, followed by France, Spain and Sweden.
| Top 10 European countries by area | |
| European countries | Covered area |
| Russia | 17,098,246 km2 |
| Ukraine | 603,500 km2 |
| France | 543,940 km2 |
| Spain | 505,992 km2 |
| Sweden | 450,295 km2 |
| Germany | 357,114 km2 |
| Finland | 338,425 km2 |
| Norway | 323,802 km2 |
| Poland | 312,696 km2 |
| IDEA | 301,339 km2 |
Interesting facts about Europe
Aurora or aurora borealis
The highest mountain in Europe
The highest mountain in Europe is Mount Elbrus, located in Russia. It is 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) high. The largest lake in Europe is Lake Ladoga, located in Russia. That’s 17,700 square kilometers (6,830 square miles) in area. The longest river in Europe is the Volga River, also located in Russia. It is 3,690 km (2,290 miles) long.
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Four regions in Europe
Europe is a diverse and fascinating continent with rich history and culture. It is a popular tourist destination and is home to some of the world’s most famous cities such as London, Paris, Rome and Berlin.
Europe can be divided into four main regions: Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Southern Europe.
Northern Europe includes countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. The region is known for its cold climate, beautiful fjords, and Nordic culture. According to the United Nations Population Division, there are approximately 106 million people residing in Northern Europe (in 2020). Denmark is the cleanest European city in the world, according to the World Population Assessment Report 2023. The aurora borealis, also known as the aurora borealis, was spotted in the sky over Norway.
Western Europe includes countries such as France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain and Italy. The region is known for its rich history, vibrant cities and beautiful countryside. According to the United Nations Population Division, there are approximately 196 million people residing in Western Europe (in 2020). Matterhorn, one of the most famous and iconic pyramid-shaped mountains in the world can be found in Switzerland.
Eastern Europe includes countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Hungary. This area is known for its diverse culture, stunning architecture, and natural beauty. According to the United Nations Population Division, there are approximately 293 million people residing in Eastern Europe (in 2020). Wilanow Palace, one of Poland’s most important monuments, is located in the Wilanow district of Warsaw.
Southern Europe includes countries such as Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Türkiye. The area is known for its sunny climate, beautiful beaches, and ancient ruins. According to the United Nations Population Division, there are about 152 million people residing in Southern Europe (in 2020). Vatican City is the least populous country in the world with a population of just over 800 people.
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