101 Facts about Europe Continent You Don't Know!

Facts about Europe: Europe is the second-smallest continent on Earth, known for its rich history, diverse cultures, and stunning architecture. From the ancient ruins of Greece and Rome to the modern cities of London and Paris, Europe has something to offer for everyone. In this article, we will explore some of the fascinating facts about this incredible continent.

Interesting Facts About Europe

Christianity is the biggest religion in Europe.
There are more bicycles than there are people in the Netherlands.
The first human-like beings are thought to have arrived in Europe 1.8 million years ago.
The 27th century BC saw the emergence of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.
Do you love volcanoes? Well, Italy has two active volcanoes: Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius.
The oldest monarchy in Europe is the Kingdom of Denmark. It was founded in 935 by Viking kings.
The oldest European country name is Bulgaria. The country has been named Bulgaria since 681 AD.
The world’s northernmost capital city, Reykjavik, is located in Europe in the country of Iceland.
An estimated 39% of the land area in Europe is either grassland or farmland used for growing crops.
Europeans love chocolate. In fact, they are responsible for consuming 50% of the world’s chocolate.
The Republic of San Marino is the oldest independent state in Europe. It’s been around since 301 AD.
Volkswagen is the biggest company in Europe in terms of revenue, and one of the largest in the world.
The highest mountain in Europe is part of the Caucasus mountain range in Russia. Mount Elbrus is 18,510 feet.

Geographical Facts About Europe

Norway has a 62,000-mile-long coastline — the longest coastline in Europe and the second-longest in the world.
Most of these languages originate from the Romance languages, the Germanic languages, or the Slavic languages.
There are 24 official languages in Europe but more like 200 languages that are actually spoken on the continent.
The oldest zoo in the world is found in Europe. The zoo is located in Vienna, Austria, and has existed since 1752.
Europe is the second smallest continent in size. It is 3,825,730 square miles which is a third of the size of Africa.
The northernmost town in the world is located in Norway, Europe. Longyearbyen (that’s a mouthful) is 78 degrees north.
The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 countries, from which the United Kingdom recently left.
We have Europe to thank for 44% of the world’s wine. The biggest wine producers in Europe are France, Italy, and Spain.
Spain is bananas! It’s not only an awesome country in Europe to visit, but it also grows 60% of the continent’s bananas.
The smallest country in Europe, and the world, is the Vatican City. It is the smallest both by land area and population.
In fact, the Louvre is the most visited attraction in Europe. Could it be the famous Mona Lisa that attracts so many visitors?
If your favorite meal is a Big Mac then you should visit Germany. It’s the country with the most Macdonald’s branches in Europe.
Tomatoes didn’t arrive in Europe until the 16th century but now are a staple ingredient in plenty of European countries’ cuisines.

Cultural Facts About Europe

Despite the continent being the second-smallest continent by area, it has the third-largest population with around 748 million people.
There is a tiny town in Croatia that has a population of only 30 residents! Hum is not only the smallest town in Europe but the world.
It is believed that the name ‘Europe’ is derived from Greek mythology. Apparently, Zeus fell in love with a Phoenician princess, Europa
Fast forward hundreds of years to the 7th Century BC when ancient Greece emerged. It was here, in ancient Europe, that democracy was developed.
If you love visiting old castles then you should plan a trip to the Czech Republic. The country has the most castles in Europe — a whopping 932!
Russia seems to be taking a lot of the titles in Europe, and it also is home to the longest river on the continent. The Volga River is 2,295 miles long.
If you have a baby in Denmark you’ll have to choose a name from an approved list. There are 7000 names on the list, so you should find something you like.
World War One was responsible for destroying four European empires. The war caused the breakdown of the German, Russian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian empires.
Say this ten times fast: Llanfairpwll-gwyngyllgogerychwyrndrob-wllllantysiliogogogoch. No this isn’t some cruel tongue twister, it’s a town in Wales with 57 letters.
The three largest countries in Europe are Russia, the Ukraine, and France. The part of Russia that is found in Europe is bigger than any other country on the continent!

Amazing Facts About Europe for Kids

The largest city in Europe that is located entirely in Europe is Moscow, Russia (no surprise there). Istanbul is slightly larger but the city spans both Asia and Europe.
The Danube River flows through ten countries and is the second-longest river in Europe at 1,777 miles long. It’s the most important commercial waterway on the continent.
There are 270 species of mammals in Europe. The coolest ones include wolves, bears, and lynx. Unfortunately, these are all endangered along with 15% of the mammals in Europe.
The longest and highest mountain range that is located entirely in Europe is the Alps. The tallest peak, Mont Blanc, sits on the border of Italy and France and is 15,781 feet.
Europe is home to the most densely populated country in the world — Monaco. The country is smaller than Central Park in New York and more than 32% of its population are millionaires.
The continent is shared by fifty-one countries but only 44 sovereign states. There are a couple of trans-continental countries that span over Europe and Asia, such as Russia and Turkey.
You’ll find the largest landlocked country in the world in Europe — Kazakhstan. The country is in the top 10 largest countries in the world and the only one on that list that is landlocked.
The Industrial Revolution, one of the most important periods in history, began in Britain in the 18th century, spreading throughout the rest of Europe, and eventually Japan and the United States.
Eleven countries in Europe have royal families. These monarchies include the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Lichtenstein.
Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, is still being built — construction started in 1882 and is ongoing today. In fact, the famous landmark is officially taking longer to construct than the Pyramids.
Belgium is famous for producing the best in the world (don’t tell that to the Swiss). Well, more chocolate is bought at Brussels Airport than anywhere else in the world — over 800 tonnes every year!

Historical Facts About Europe

Europe is entirely in the northern hemisphere and most of the continent’s landmass is in the eastern hemisphere. This is ironic as the continent, along with America, is often referred to as ‘the west.’
Europe is not only the home to extremely long town names but also very short ones. You’ll find villages in Scandinavia that are just one letter long. For example, the village ‘Ö’ that translates to ‘island’.
Europe isn’t all snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes. There’s a rainforest on the continent, too. Located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Perućica Rainforest is Europe’s last jungle and is strictly protected.
We have Rome to thank for the celebration of Christmas, which became a major event in the 9th century. Christmas in Europe is a magical affair. Towns across the continent come alive with Christmas markets, lights, and decorations.
The country has the longest river and highest mountain, so it’s hardly a surprise that Russia is also home to the largest lake in Europe. Lake Ladoga is the largest lake in Europe and one of the biggest freshwater lakes in the world.
From the 14th to the 17th century, the Renaissance period was a rebirth of art, philosophy, literature, and culture that occurred in Europe. This period is credited for bridging the gap between the Middle Ages and modern-day civilization.
Europe boasts five out of the top ten tourist destinations in the world. Can you guess which tourist destination sits at number one? Paris, France! Millions of people flock to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and to experience the romantic City of Lights and Love.
Made up of stunning fjords, rugged islands and windswept rocky shores, Norway’s coastline is the longest in Europe and the second-longest in the world (after Canada). It’s over 100,000 kilometres long and you’re sure to have some amazing adventures exploring this Scandinavian coast.
Did you know that the tallest building in Europe is in St. Petersburg in Russia? Soaring into the sky like a glass shard, the Lakhta Center is a whopping 462 metres in height. There are 87 stories and you’re sure to get some spectacular views from the top of this incredible building.
The Kingdom of Denmark is the oldest monarchy in Europe. Founded in 935 by Viking kings Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth, the Danish Monarchy has been ruling Denmark for over 1,000 years. From Gorm the Old to the current Queen Margrethe II, this royal family is the oldest in all of Europe.

Fun Facts About Europe

In Switzerland, it’s illegal to mow your lawns on Sundays. You’re also not allowed to build anything or hang your clothes out to dry in a place that’s visible to the public. Noise and household chores are not allowed to mess up your, or your neighbors, chilled Sundays. Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?
The Czech Republic has the most castles in Europe. Love castles? You’ll adore the Czech Republic. The country has 932 castles and 1,187 stately homes – that’s more than any other country in Europe. Even if you visited one castle a day, it would take you over 2.5 years to see them all, so you better get started!
You can probably get on board with this fun fact about Europe. In Switzerland, you’re not allowed to mow your lawn, build anything, wash your car or hang clothes out to dry on Sundays. The Swiss believe Sunday is a day for rest and noisy and annoying household chores shouldn’t interfere with everyone’s relaxation.
When you think of Europe, you probably imagine snowy Alps, lush pine forests and winding rivers, but did you know that there is one last remaining rainforest in Europe? Found in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Perućica Rainforest is a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most precious green lungs in Europe.
One of the most random facts about Europe is that if you live in the Commonwealth, you can get a letter from the Queen of England! If you celebrate your 100th and 105th birthday and every year after, or your 60th, 65th, 70th anniversaries and every year after, you’ll get a congratulatory card from Queen Elizabeth herself.
Looking for impressive churches? It’s got to be St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, in Rome. Standing at 222 metres long, 152 metres wide, 137 metres tall, and with a capacity for 60,000 people, this is not only the largest church in Europe but the whole world. Seems fitting that the church is in Vatican City, the home of the Pope.
Wales might have the longest town name, but Scandinavia takes the crown for the shortest town names. There are 10 villages across Denmark, Sweden and Norway that have names just one single letter long. Most are named “Å”, meaning “small brook or river” in Scandinavian languages, while one village is named “Ö” meaning “island” in Swedish.
Are you looking for one of the few places in the world that don’t have mosquitoes? There are only two places in the world that are completely mosquito-free — Antarctica and Iceland. You probably can’t wait to plan a mosquito-free trip to the beautiful European country. If you’re camping anywhere else in Europe, though, don’t forget your bug spray.
Iceland doesn’t have mosquitos. Although there are more than 3,000 types of mosquitoes in the world, Iceland doesn’t have any at all. Amazingly, Iceland is believed to be completely clear of any mosquitoes, thanks to the cold temperatures and lack of shallow ponds that mosquitoes love. So if you’re prone to mosquito bites, you better head to Iceland!

Economic Facts About Europe

You’ve probably heard about Belgian chocolate. It’s famed as some of the best chocolate in the world, and travellers obviously know it, as Brussels Airport sells more of the sweet stuff than anywhere else on earth. Over 800 tonnes of chocolate is sold every year at the airport, and we know we can’t resist picking up a box or two on our way through Brussels!
You may know that the Republic of San Marino is the oldest independent state in Europe (dating back to 301 AD!), but another fun fact about Europe is that Bulgaria is the oldest European country by name. While dozens of countries in Europe have chopped and changed their names over the years, Bulgaria has stuck with the same name since it adopted it in 681 AD.
Did you know there’s a penguin more aristocratic than you? One of our favourite fun facts about Europe is that Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo is home to a knighted penguin named Brigadier Sir Nils Olav III. He’s the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King’s Guard and he’s the third king penguin to serve. The first Sir Olav penguin served between 1972 and 1987.
The British Museum in London is one of the most-visited in the world, with around six million visitors every year. They come to admire the impressive collection of eight million artworks and antiquities… But did you know you’re only seeing around 1% of the collection at any time? There’s only room for around 800,000 objects to be displayed, so let’s hope you catch your favourites when you visit!
With dozens of unique cultures and countries across Europe, there are over 200 languages spoken on the continent, although only 24 are recognised as the official languages of the European Union. Of the 24, three are designated as “procedural” languages, including English, French and Germany. Also, the most common language spoken in Europe is English, and 38% of the European population can speak it.
While you may be used to saying cheers and clinking your glasses with friends, you should never do this in Hungary. This custom goes back to 1848 when Austria defeated Hungary in the revolution. The Austrians celebrated by clinking their beer glasses while toasting their victory. Ever since, Hungarians have not clinked their glasses during a toast. Instead, you should say “Egészségedre” and look your Hungarian friends in the eye before taking a drink.
Denmark has some unusual baby naming laws. New parents must name their child one of the 7,000 pre-approved names, like Benji or Molli. Creative spellings of common names are also not permitted under these laws. Want to name your kid something unique? You’ll need to get permission from the government. There’s also some banned names too, so if you’re from Denmark, don’t even think about naming your baby Pluto, Anus or Monkey. They weren’t our first choices either!
Think you’re good at tongue twisters? Try pronouncing the name of this Welsh town – “Llanfairpwll-gwyngyllgogerychwyrndrob-wllllantysiliogogogoch”. It might look like someone dropped something on their keyboard, but it’s a real name, and it means “cave”. The name is 58 letters long, making it the longest name of any town in Europe, but you can call it Llanfairpwll, or Llanfair PG for short. If you want to see how it’s pronounced, check out this weatherman nailing it during a broadcast.
Antoni Gaudi’s enchanting La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is a true architectural masterpiece… which explains why it’s taking so long to finish! While the extraordinary ancient pyramids of Egypt were constructed in 85 years, between 2589 and 2504 BC, La Sagrada Familia has been under construction for the past 138 years. Construction first began on the famous basilica in 1882 and although Gaudi didn’t get to see his extraordinary work completed, Barcelona is aiming to complete it by 2026, for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
One fun fact about Europe is that it’s home to the smallest town in the world! The little town of Hum is found in the Istria region northwest of Croatia and the population is only 30 people (according to the 2011 census). Along with its tiny size, Hum is also famous for its mistletoe brandy called biska. Legend says that ancient Celtic Druids left the biska recipe in Hum around 2,000 years ago. Another interesting fact about Hum in Europe is that the majority of the population speak Italian, thanks to their close proximity to Italy.

Europe is a continent of incredible diversity and beauty. From its people and cultures to its geography and history, there is so much to learn and discover about this amazing place. We hope that this article has provided you with a glimpse into the many wonders of Europe, and that it has inspired you to learn more about this fascinating continent. With its rich heritage and influential role in shaping the world we live in today, Europe is a must-see destination for anyone interested in history, culture, and the arts.

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