Did you know… The name Europe comes from Greek mythology – named after Europa. She was a phoenician princess that Zeus abducted. Today Europe contains over 160 separate ethnic groups.
History Greece was 1 st European Civilization 3000 BC Monarchy was created during the Middle Ages …Feudalism Feudalism – powerful Lords gave land to Nobles in return for pledges of loyalty
Facts Europe is the 6 th largest continent –Makes it 2 nd smallest continent 47 countries 860 million people Part of largest land mass on Earth –Land mass is called Eurasia
Facts Ural mountains natural separation between Europe and Asia –Russia on both sides of mountains Europe is a giant peninsula…most of Europe lies within 300 miles of ocean water –Peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on 3 sides
5 Major Peninsulas Apennine = Italy Balkan = Greece Scandinavian = Norway & Sweden Iberian = Spain & Portugal Jutland = Denmark
Population and Size Russia is largest by land mass and population Population – 140 million Vatican City is smallest by land mass and population Population
Additional Info Germany is economic leader of Europe (82 million people) Today the European Union consists of 27 countries –16use Euro as currency Netherlands export 60% of the world’s cut flowers
Major Rivers Rhine –Most important river in Western Europe
Major Rivers Danube –Most important river in Eastern Europe
Major Mountain Ranges Alps
Largest mountain range in Europe Crosses border of 8 countries Majority of the Alps is located in Austria, Switzerland, and Italy Tallest peak is Mount Blanc 15, 700 feet
Major Mountain Ranges Pyrenees – border of Spain and France
Major Mountain Ranges Apennines – Italy
Major Mountain Ranges Ural – border of Europe and Asia
Major Cities London, England
Major Cities Paris, France
Major Cities Berlin, Germany
Major Cities Vienna, Austria
Major Cities Rome, Italy
Major Cities Prague, Netherlands
Major Cities Amsterdam, Netherlands
Major Cities Budapest, Hungary
Major Cities Moscow, Russia
Major Cities Warsaw, Poland