Table of Contents

Introduction
Geologic history
- General considerations
  - Tectonic framework
  - Chronological summary
- Stratigraphy and structure
  - Precambrian
  - Paleozoic Era
    - Caledonian orogenic belt
    - Hercynian orogenic belt
    - Uralian orogenic belt
  - Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras
    - North European and Russian platforms
    - Cenozoic igneous provinces
    - Iceland
    - Pleistocene glaciation
    - Modern geologic framework
Land
- Relief
  - Elevations
  - Physiographic units
    - Coastal and interior lowlands
    - Central uplands and plateaus
    - Northwestern highlands
    - Southern Europe
- Drainage
  - Topographic influences
  - Hydrology
  - Lake systems and marshes
- Soils
- Climate
  - Air pressure belts
  - Climatic regions
    - Maritime climate
    - Central European climate
    - Continental climate
    - Mediterranean climate
  - The effects of climate
- Plant life
  - Major vegetation zones
  - Shaping of vegetation zones
    - Climatic change
    - Role of humans
  - Plant imports
- Animal life
  - Patterns of distribution
    - Wild animals
    - Domesticated animals
  - Conservation
People
- Cultural patterns
  - Culture groups
  - Languages
    - Romance, Germanic, and Slavic languages
    - Other languages
  - Religions
    - Christianity
    - Judaism and Islam
- Demographic patterns
  - Overall densities
  - Urban and rural settlement
  - Population trends
  - Migration
Economy
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
  - Agricultural distribution
  - Agricultural organization
  - Forestry and fishing
- Resources and power
  - Mineral resources
    - Coal
    - Petroleum and natural gas
    - Uranium
    - Iron ores
    - Ferroalloy metals
    - Nonferrous base metals
    - Precious metals
  - Nonmetallic deposits
  - Water resources
  - Biological resources
  - Power
- Manufacturing
  - Heavy industry
  - Chemical industries
  - Light industry and handicrafts
- Trade
  - Trade within Europe
  - External trade
- Tourism
- Transportation
  - Roads
  - Railways
  - Waterways and pipelines
  - Airways
  - Animal transport

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Geography & Travel

Europe

continent

Written by William H. Berentsen, Thomas M. Poulsen, W. Gordon EastSee All

Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Jul 27, 2023 • Article History

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Europe, second smallest of the world’s continents, composed of the westward-projecting peninsulas of Eurasia (the great landmass that it shares with Asia) and occupying nearly one-fifteenth of the world’s total land area. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the west by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the south (west to east) by the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, the Kuma-Manych Depression, and the Caspian Sea. The continent’s eastern boundary (north to south) runs along the Ural Mountains and then roughly southwest along the Emba (Zhem) River, terminating at the northern Caspian coast. Europe’s largest islands ...(100 of 20355 words)

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