10 amazing facts and secrets about the continent of Europe
Facts and information about Europe - Overview and surprising facts about the old continent.
Although the continent of Europe is one of the smallest continents in the world in terms of area and not the largest in terms of population density, but it is one of the most important, oldest and most influential continents in the world. The continent of Europe is one of the most important economic and political forces in the world, and the old continent is one of the most Where the possession of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Italy tops the list of UNESCO World Heritage in the world. Europe is home to culture, heritage, high mountains and long rivers. It also has a rich history, rich countries, and great environmental and natural diversity.
Europe facts and secrets:
The continent of Europe is the second smallest continent in the world after Australia. Most European countries are located in the eastern and northern hemispheres. The continent includes 44 countries. Europe is home to the largest country in the world by area (Russia) and the smallest country (the Vatican).
The area of the continent of Europe is about 10.180 million km2 (7.1% of the Earth's area). It is the third continent in terms of population in the world, with a population of more than 741 million people (or 11% of the Earth's population).
Europe has a lot of rivers. These rivers include the Danube, Rhine and Loire. However, the Volga is the longest river in continental Europe. The Volga River flows for about 3,531 km in Russia. The Volga's journey ends in the Caspian Sea.
Europe has plains, forests, lakes, mountains and even volcanoes. The Alps are the highest mountain range in Europe. It spans eight countries. However, the highest peak on the continent is in the Caucasus Mountains. It is called Mount Elbrus which is 5,642 m (18,510 ft) above sea level.
Forests cover about a third of Europe. These include the Bavarian Forest, the Wild Taiga Forest, the Hallerbos Forest, and the Bialowieza Forest, which is the largest and oldest forest on the continent. This huge land covers parts of Poland and Belarus. In the past three decades, European forest area has increased by about 9%.
Europe is home to many species of wild animals. The five largest animals in Europe are the European bison, wolf, brown bear, wolverine, and lynx. The continent is also home to many unique animals such as the European mink, the Eurasian wolf, the polar bear, and the European rattlesnake are some of the most dangerous animals in Europe.
Europe faces some threats. Some of these hazards are natural such as floods, wildfires, storms and earthquakes. Climate change is also a major concern for many Europeans. Climate change could cause an increase in the number of floods and heavy rainstorms on the continent. A recent study stated that humans are causing climate change by releasing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the air.
The continent of Europe is the third largest continent in the world in terms of population in the world with a population of 748 million people. Russia is the most populous country in Europe with over 144 million people living there.
There are many ethnic groups and cultures across Europe. People there speak more than 200 languages. English is the most common language because it is the second preferred language for Europeans. Most Europeans can speak more than one language. One research said that more than 50% of people living in Europe are bilingual.
In 1993, the European Union was established with its headquarters in Brussels and this group includes 27 European countries. The union allows the free movement of goods, services and people among its members. Many countries in Europe are ranked among the world's richest. Luxembourg is the richest country in Europe while Germany has the largest economy on the continent.
Sport is very important in Europe. Football is without a doubt the most played and watched sport on the continent. Germany and Spain hold the record for winning the European Football Championship (EURO). Both teams have won the title three times. Many European countries have hosted the World Cup. The first was Italy in 1934, and the last one was Russia in 2018. Germany and Italy were the most successful European teams in the World Cup as they both won it 4 times, France won the 2018 World Cup.
Europe is also known for its arts as the continent has given the world great artists and painters. One of them was Claude Monet. The French painter is considered one of the greatest artists in history. Another one was Leonardo da Vinci. The Italian legend created one of the most iconic paintings, the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa is on display in the most visited museum in the world, the Louvre.
So what are the best historical places in Europe:
Here are some of the best historical places in Europe and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe.
Everywhere in Europe there are houses over a hundred years old, museums full of antiquities, artifacts and mysterious archaeological sites. In fact, there are many historical places in Europe that can be explored. There are many best historical sites in Europe that you would like to visit one day.
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia:
Plitvice Lakes National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Croatia. The stunning location is located between two mountain ranges. They are Mala Kapela and Lička Plješivica.
The huge park covers an area of about 300 square kilometres. The park is famous for its lakes. There are about 16 lakes, and the park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Thousands of tourists flock to the site every year to enjoy its great natural beauty.
Blue Grotto, Italy:
Grotta Azzurra (or the Blue Grotto) is located on the coast of the island of Capri, southern Italy.
The Blue Grotto or the Blue Cave is considered one of the most beautiful treasures of the earth because it is distinguished by its blue waters that shimmer as if they reflect lights coming from below.
The reason for this is the opening of the cave that extends below the surface of the water and allows the external sunlight to penetrate into the lower layers of the water and then reflects on the surface giving it a bright appearance. In the past, sailors used to avoid going into the cave because they thought it was full of witches and monsters! Don't worry, the site is safe. Just follow the weather forecast as the cave is sometimes closed due to rough sea conditions.
Eiffel Tower, France:
The Eiffel Tower" The Eiffel Tower is one of the most important landmarks of the French capital, Paris, and one of the most important and famous tourist attractions for France and the world.
The number of visitors to the Eiffel Tower is estimated annually by more than six million tourists, and the number of lighting bulbs in the Eiffel Tower is estimated at 20 thousand electric bulbs, with 5000 thousand bulbs from each side of the Its four sides, and it has seven elevators, and the Eiffel Tower remained for quite some time the tallest landmark in the world, this iron edifice is located near the Seine River.
This amazing structure held the record for the tallest building in the world from 1889 to 1930 at 324 meters (1,063 feet). To this day, tourists still flock to take pictures near the building. Besides, it is the favorite destination for many visitors all over the world.
The Parthenon, Greece
The Parthenon is one of the most visited sites in the world. The Parthenon is a marble temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. The site is a symbol of the power, wealth and culture of ancient Greece. The building has seen a lot. From fire and war to earthquakes and explosions, the Parthenon has stood tall as a sign of ingenuity and perseverance. The Parthenon is a Greek temple in the city of Athens, built on the Acropolis mountain, and is considered one of the best examples of ancient Greek architecture. The Parthenon was built between 447 and 432 BC.
In about the year 500 AD, the temple was transformed into a Christian church. After the Islamic forces invaded the city in the middle of the fifteenth century AD, the temple became a mosque. In 1687 AD, the Parthenon was severely damaged when the Venetians tried to seize Athens. The Turks were apparently using the building as a storehouse of gunpowder at that time, and a gunpowder explosion demolished the central part of the building. Most of the remains of the sculptures were transferred to the Acropolis Museum in Athens and the British Museum in London, and only ruins remained of the buildings.
Berlin Wall - Berlin, Germany
This is what remains of the Berlin Wall. It has been preserved as a memorial and as a tourist attraction, 1.3 km away.
After the Allied victory over Germany in World War II, the victorious forces (Soviet, American, British and French) imposed control over the country and extended their influence over Berlin.
At that time, the pro-Soviet East German government built a wall to separate it from West Germany, where American, British and French influence was concentrated. When completed, the length of the wall was 155 kilometers, and its height was 3.6 meters. It became a major symbol of the Cold War and the division of Europe after the war.
AUSCHWITZ BIRKENAU - Krakow, Poland
Visiting the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps in Krakow, Poland, the most famous of the concentration camps, is a strange and lonely experience, but also one of the most interesting historical places in Europe.
This UNESCO World Heritage site still houses the horrific signs of the Nazi genocide that took place here during the Holocaust, from the fortified walls, barbed wire, and barracks to the gallows, gas chambers, and cremation ovens. During World War II, Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest concentration camp in Nazi Germany, 60 km west of Kraków, Poland. The Nazi SS operated the camp complex from 1940 to 1945 and captured persons were transported across Europe by rail to this camp.
On the camp gate is written (Arbeit macht Frei) “Work makes freedom.” Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was liberated in January 1945. Before that, the Nazi authorities tried to destroy as much evidence as possible. After the war, the Polish government decided to restore Auschwitz-Birkenau and turn it into a museum.
Colosseum - Rome, Italy
The Colosseum is a very large Roman amphitheater, but the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater in the world and is located in the center of the Italian capital, Rome. The amphitheater was opened in the year 81 AD and is a concrete building with a height of 48 meters from the ground and a width of more than 150 meters.
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum or Amphitheater (formerly known as the Flavian Amphitheater) is an ancient Roman amphitheater that was the largest of its kind when it was completed around AD 80.
The Colosseum has 80 arched entrances and once accommodated 50,000 to 70,000 spectators at a time, who would be seated according to their arrangement. Visitors would come to see gladiatorial flights and simulated hunting. Today, tourists can see for themselves how the elevators, ramps, and trap doors of the underground theatrical system were operated in order to display animals, wrestlers, and machines.
Paris Catacombs, France
Not for the faint of heart, the Paris catacombs are built within the tunnels of former limestone quarries and are said to contain the skeletal remains of more than six million people killed during the French Revolution. In order to preserve the sensitive nature of the site and for safety reasons, only 200 visitors can enter the catacombs at any one time.
Knight Penguin, European Curiosity
You may have heard stories about knights and their epic battles in medieval Europe! But did you know that there is a cute knight who still lives in a zoo? Meet Sir Nils Olaf III! It is a king penguin that lives in Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland. He is the mascot and commander-in-chief of the Norwegian King's Guard. In 2008, King Harald V made Nils Olav III a knight in the Norwegian army!