Etymology

In Greek mythology, Zeus euros fire was kidnapped by the Princess of Phoenicia who moved to form the Crete Island, where the birth minoseu, rhadamanthus and sarpedon. Home runs, for Europe (Greek: εὐρώπη eurṓpē; Greek traditional list of place names) is a mythical queen of Crete, not geographically. Later, standing on the European mainland Greece, 500 BC by the land and its meaning was extended to the north.

Europe is a broad theory of etymology and meaning of names derived from the Greek word (eurys) and face (action) - a de district when their extensive reconstruction sseugien Protocol - India - Europe's religion; view prithvi (plataia). Minority, but the game is popular with Greek etymology of the word, such as Jewish based on the Akkadian erebu really meant to "sunset" [2] (see erebus). Middle East in vantagepoint, the sun was setting over Europe to the west of the land. Similarly, Asia is often thought of the word Jew and practices derived from the same tomorrow, which means "sunrise", [3] gwayi in terms of land east of the Middle East

Climate

Major parts of Europe from northern latitudes. Notyeoit relatively warm seas, most of the central and western borders of the European continent-line Gifu, a mild winter and summer and colder. General west wind drift by passing at least some of the warm North Atlantic currents bring rainfall through most of the year. The regional climate jijung Harry - Spain, Italy and Greece - is usually hot and dry summer months, and that occur almost every winter rainfall. Poland in the east of the central effects of drugs to slow the sea is reduced, and as a result cooler, dry conditions victory. This type of climate on the northern part of the continent. Most of Europe receives 500 to 1,500 mm (20-60) for one year the rainfall.

Vegetation

Most of Europe, especially in the West received the original forest vegetation coverage of human residence and the land converted to liquidation. Most of the northern part of central Europe to Russia's northern mountains and the forest cover is relatively unaffected by human activity. On the other hand, Europe is a significant amount of forest was cleared to receive the application if the reoccupied land planted.

Europe's biggest plant in the zone, the middle portion of cutting across the continent from the Atlantic belt wooralneun mixed conifer trees and fallen leaves - oak, maple, pine and fir and Elm and intermingled. Europe and the northern coastal areas from the Arctic tundra vegetation of the characteristics of the upper slopes of the peak, consisting mostly lichens, moss, shrubs and wild flowers. the gyeongjeung, but then, despite the cold temperatures in the Nordic inland creating a favourable environment to cover the ongoing softwood trees, especially pine and fir, birch and occur even though the Aspen. Most of the great meadow covered plains of Europe, the region's relatively tall grass, Ukraine is characterized by a step short grass is relatively flat and dry area. Land noted that the boundaries of the Mediterranean fruit, particularly olives, citrus fruits, fig, apricots and grapes.

History

14th century in Europe

The origins of Western culture, democracy and individualism that are often encountered in ancient Greece, although a number of other separate influence, especially the spread of Christianity may have to apply for credit, such as leveling and universality of the concept of the law.

Since the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe entered a long period of the changes caused by the migration of what is known as the era. That period is known as the "Dark Ages" in the Renaissance thinkers. Monastery and other isolated communities in Northern Ireland and the previously accumulated knowledge, compile a written carefully protected.

During this period, the western part of the Roman Empire, "reincarnation" Holy Roman Empire, and later in Germany to call the peoples of the Holy Roman Empire. Western Roman Empire in the east, known as the Byzantine Empire. 'Byzantine' itself is still his basileia tōn βασιλεία τῶν ῥωμαίων romaiōn - the empire of Rome. 1453, conquered the Byzantine capital of the Byzantine Empire, the Ottoman Empire konseutantinopeul trebizond small breaks and pulling a state of continuous existence before 1461.

The new monarch and the beginning of the Renaissance period marked the discovery, exploration, and increase the scientific knowledge. Portugal opened the age of discovery in the 15th century, soon after Spain. They were later joined by France, the Netherlands, and Britain's vast colonial empire Holdings, a large building in Africa, the Americas and Asia.

Since the era of democracy and against the idea caught on in Europe. Raised the struggle for independence, especially in this period known in France as the French Revolution. Europe, led by the giant waves across the continent to such an innovative idea to pass. The rise of democracy led to rising tensions because of Europe's top of the already existing tension in the new world of competition. The most famous of these conflicts, this was Napoleon Bonaparte, the Rose, set out to conquer power, will soon form a new French empire collapsed. These conquer Europe since stabilized, but the old foundation has already started to collapse.

Britain's industrial revolution started in the late 18th century, leading away from agriculture, corresponding to the far more common prosperity and population increases. Many in Europe, the United States currently take the form from the end of World War I. Since World War II through the Cold War, Europe is divided into two major political, economic blocks: Communist countries of Eastern Europe, capitalist countries in southern Europe, Northern Europe And Western Europe. Approximately 1990 and the fall of the Berlin Wall, a wider Iron Curtain, a block east of the Soviet Union and the decomposition ya.

European integration is the theme of the relationship of Europe after World War II and the Cold War after the last high speeds. The European Union, the successor to the existing European community today is expanding by 27 founding members. Turkey's admission to the potential of this country argue that accompanied the Muslim population across the continent. This is also a member of the existing disputes with Turkey, Greece, Cyprus and later in the future. Therefore, long negotiations are expected. The European Union's trade - has been in development-oriented organizations like the Federation of one count of respect. Europe's NATO membership and Eastern Europe are also rising since the end of the Cold War, the country's entrance sureulhapnida.

Geography and extent

Physiographically, Northwestern Europe is a larger Eurasian landmass known as the configuration, or Africa - Eurasia: Asia occupies the bulk of the ongoing land to the east (save the Suez Canal to separate Asia and Africa) and all of the continental shelf field general. Europe's eastern border are common in Russia's Ural Mountains Outline (Stringer, Geography 11.1, tanais the river boundary, as a Jew, as did the initial source). Typically define the boundaries of southeast Asia. Ural, or the most common, or, emba River serves as the boundary. The boundaries of the Caspian Sea continues to sentence or the Caucasus mountains, or, Kuranyi River Caucasus and the Black Sea, Bosporus Strait, Martina Mara, the boundaries of Asia and chanakkalre conclusion. However, considering the numerous geographical border in southern Azerbaijan, Armenia and Turkey's southern and eastern borders Iran and Syria, Iraq and Iran as the boundary between Asia and Europe because of the political and cultural reasons. Cyprus considers the island to Europe for the same reason. Separating Europe from Africa south of the Mediterranean. The boundaries of the western Atlantic, Iceland, Greenland even though the nearest (North America) than mainland Europe, is generally included in Europe. Where is the geographic center of ongoing discussions in Europe live.

Social politics, due to cultural differences, Europe's description of the boundaries that have already diverse; Some sources are not included in some regions of Europe, while other sources and include it. For example, geographical posts in Russia - Ural Soviet Union and other European states in general during the Caucasus, including in Asia.

Another purpose, Europe is getting shorter - to be used as a form of the EU (European Union) and its members, the current configuration of the 27 member countries and candidate for membership negotiations, and several other countries to begin negotiations on the future prospects (European Union's expansion). This definition, however, not - except for members such as Switzerland, Norway and Russia.

Physical geography

In Europe, a relatively small area of land relief shows a big change. Southern Region, however, is more mountainous, is a distant ancestor of the terrain while moving the high Alps, carpathians-Pyrenees, and extend through the hilly uplands, low northern plains, east of a clown. This expansion Jersey known as a great plains of Europe, and North Korea lies in the heart of the German plains. North Korea also exist in an arc along the uplands - the western coast of Britain to start the system and continuously according to the mountainous west, the fjords of Norway - Cut the spine.

This description is simplified. Serve - the same area and their complex functions, including the Iberian mainland, and Italy in Europe itself, where many relief plateau, river valleys and lower altitudes, the general trend is complex. Iceland and the British island is a special case. Life on the ocean north of the original land itself is calculated as part of Europe, the latter until the region was once joined to the mainland Notices rising sea levels cut them off.

Biodiversity

Having lived side-by-side with agricultural peoples for millennia, Europe's animals and plants have been profoundly affected by the presence and activities of man. The need for growth is very advantageous conditions. North of the continent from the warm Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic drift. Describing it as a warm suit southern Europe, but the mild climate. This summer, frequent droughts in the region. The condition also affects the mountain ridges. Some of these (Alps, Pyrénées) is oriented east - the west wind, holding hands with the masses of water from the sea's massive interior. Male-oriented others - north (Scandinavian Mountains, dinarides, carpathians, apennines) and non-waterfall-oriented aspects of the ocean primarily because of the mountains, the forest is growing well in this aspect whereas other aspects of the conditions of the small glass. A few corners of mainland Europe by livestock grazing has not been made at some point of time, and the dictionary - the forest habitat to agriculture crop, plants and animals in the original cause of the destruction of the ecosystem.

At one time Europe's forest coverage from 80 to 90 percent receive. It stretches from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Ocean. Although more than half of Europe's original forests disappeared through the forest destruction of centuries, Europe has the fourth area of the woods yet, such as Thailand and Scandinavia, Russia, the Caucasus mixed tropical rainforests of the cork oak forests and the western Mediterranean. During recent times, many trees are planted forests, logging has slowed down. However, in most cases, the original plantation softwood proprietary blend of natural forests in the hell, these rapid growth. Cover vast areas of land jaebaeji now, but the format that provides a lot of Europe's poorest residential forest species is required, and various species of forest structure is mixed. The amount of natural forests in western Europe, Russia, Europe is only 5-10% less than 2-3 percent. The minimum percentage of the country's forest area (micronations except) the Irish Republic (8%) whereas most of the country's forests Finland (72%).

The temperate Europe, the mixed-conifer forest and the trees both dominated Broadway. Central and Western Europe is the most important paper, oak and beech. To the north, Spruce mixed taiga - Pine - birch forests; more extreme north of Russia and northern Scandinavia, arctic tundra and taiga approach. Mediterranean, olive trees are planted a lot of very well adapted to dry climates; Mediterranean, Cyprus is widely planted in southern Europe. the cicada - the Mediterranean region hosts many dry scrub forest. East - West Eurasian grasslands narrow tongue (grass) in Ukraine and southern Russia and east of the extended shutdown in the north of Hungary and Thailand to navigate.

During the most recent ice age glaciers in the presence of humans and Fauna of Europe impact on the distribution. Created for the animals, many of Europe's best, most large animals and hunting to extinction of the species of predator. wool, and the mammoth extinction before the end of the Neolithic of the aurochs. Today Wolf (predatory) and bears (omnivores) is endangered. Once they are found in most places in Europe. However, forest logging causes animals to withdraw further adds. Medieval bear habitat was more or less restricted to the mountains. Sueopseup access to adequate forest cover.

Today, living mainly in the Balkans Grizzly, Scandinavia, Russia, a handful of other countries also continued the entire Europe (Austria, etc.-Pyrenees), but neglected their region's population is fragmented and Grizzly because of habitat destruction. In addition, the polar bear suit in 2006 to find the Norwegian Svalbard islands north of the regional autonomy away from Scandinavia. The wolf, the second largest in Europe after the brown bear predatory animals, mainly from eastern Europe find it suit the Balkans, Spain, Scandinavia paekeulhapnida in the minority.

Europe's carnivores are other important Sabertooth, the European wild cats, foxes (especially red fox), and different kinds of MER tenseu jackals, porcupines, different kinds of snakes (Viper, grass snake ...), different bird ( Owl and other raptor maewa).

Europe's herbivores is important snails, larvae amphibians, fish, other birds and mammals like rodents, Deer and deer, wild boar, and the mountains of life, Marmot, steinbocks, such as yellow.

Sea creatures and animals are an important part of Europe. Peulrangkeuton sea plants are mainly plants. The sea animals living in Europe is important to zooplankton, a mollusk, echinoderms, other crustaceans, squid, octopus, fish, dolphins and whales.

Demographics

Since the Renaissance, Europe is the dominant influence on the cultural, economic, social movements worldwide. Europe's demographic is important, as well as historically, as well as to understand the current international relations and population issues.

Some current and past issues of immigration in Europe, including religion, race relations, demographic, economic immigration, aging population and low birthrate. In some countries, such as the Republic of Ireland, Poland, the current can restrict access to abortion, in the past, these restrictions and limitations on Europe's global restrictions on artificial birth control in the normal limit. In addition, the three European countries (Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland) will allow some limited form of voluntary euthanasia, it takes people to the disease.

In 2005, Europe's population is estimated 728000000, 1-9 According to the United Nations right across the world's population. A century ago, Europe is almost one fourth of the world's population. Europe's population is growing in the last century, but other areas of the world (particularly Africa and Asia), the population grows much more quickly. According to the United Nations Population projection (medium-size - the size of the other), Europe's share will fall to 7 percent in 2050, numbering 653 million.

Territories and regions

This table is for the country, according to the classification system used by the United Nations contained in a geographic sub-region and cross-source data - see related articles: 1. Where is clearly pointed out the different provisos.

According to the different definitions of concepts such as central Europe, consider the following territories and regions will be subject to suit various other category. List of cities in Europe.

Romance languages

Romance languages are spoken more or less the south - Western Europe, Eastern Europe, as well as Romania and Moldova is located. The areas are: Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Romania, Moldova, France - speaking Belgium (wallonia Some Brussels), French - speaking Switzerland (romandy), Romansh - speaking Switzerland, and Italy - speaking Switzerland. Rome is derived from the language of all Romance languages, Latin.

Germanic languages

German language is more or less the northern voice - Europe and the western part of central Europe. These areas are: Norway, Sweden, Germany, Great Britain and the Irish Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Netherlands - speaking Belgium (Flanders, Brussels part), Austria, Liechtenstein, most of Switzerland, Iceland and Germany - speaking areas wallonia, Faroe Islands , Luxembourg, Finland and Sweden - say local governments, and the southern Tyrol in Italy.

Slavic languages

Slavic language is a central voice, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. This zone configuration: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany's Sachsen and Brandenburg, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.

Uralic languages

Uralic languages are divided in three major groups to share, one of two lawmakers in Europe. The language is spoken permic Finland - Finland, Estonia, parts and components, Sweden, Norway, Latvia, Russia and Europe, in Hungary during the speech and language is part ugric Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Ukraine, Russia and Siberia. These two groups comprise the wooraleojok Finland - ugric point.

Turkic languages

Turkic languages are spoken in Turkey, Azerbaijan, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognised only by Turkey), parts of Bulgaria, parts of Greece, parts of Romania, parts of Macedonia, parts of Moldova, parts of Russia, parts of Ukraine, parts of the Caucasus and in Turkish diaspora communities in several other European countries (most notably Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands).

Baltic languages

Latvia and Lithuania to the Baltic languages are spoken. Finland is Estonia's national language - ugric family of the Baltic states, despite its geographically..

Celtic languages

"Celtic language" Gail original language is a description of how Northern Ireland can only use the term now, but in a different language to expand the brythonic Gail uh. Europe is made up of those countries and regions where Celtic Celtic language of the speech. the Celtic nations: Ireland, Scotland (UK), Wales (UK), Cornwall (England County), the Isle of Man (British Crown dependencies) and Brittany (France). These are all countries share the language of voice and Celtic Celtic institutions, organizations (celticism fan).

Sometimes a country is considered a Celtic Galicia and Asturias (two autonomous community of Spain), Portugal, as well as the Northwest. Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, part of the region (in addition to the main Cornwall) is to maintain some degree of impact on local dialects Celtic (cumbric, English and plateau hiberno - English), although Britain's Celtic languages of the recent death of the 18th Devon and Cornwall century.

The most popular religions of Europe are the following:

• Gi dokgyo Catholic: Catholic country or region to a considerable population of Andorra, Austria, west Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, southern and western Germany, Hungary, Northern Ireland, Irish Republic, Italy, latgale region, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, south of the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, central and southern Switzerland and the Vatican. In addition, a large Catholic minority England: England, Scotland, Wales and most European countries.
  
  East - Catholic Courtesy: West, including Ukraine, "uniates" or the minority Catholic church for its version of the following: Bulgaria, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and so - called "Greek Catholic" to find the South Italy (Sicily sareudenyagwa) and Corsica, France.
  
  Orthodox Christianity: the country has a large population of Orthodox Greece, Russia, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Armenia, Serbia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Hungary to the east, a small minority Ethnic southern Italy, Kazakhstan, a significant minority Albania, Latvia, Lithuania, a small minority in Poland, Finland (Karelia) belonging to ethnic minorities in Europe is a relatively small part of Turkey, the Greek Orthodox Church.
  
  Protestants: the country has a large Protestant population, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, North and East Germany, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, east, north and west, Switzerland and Britain. Already a significant minority in France, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland. The small pro-Protestant churches, missionairy operation is found in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
  
  
  
  
  
  Islam: a large Muslim population in countries Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Russia's republic of Serbia, (especially in Kosovo), Turkey, Ukraine Crimea. In addition, 2005, about 5 percent of the European Union to identify himself well with Muslim residents - immigrants established the community in Germany, Britain, the Benelux countries, Sweden, France, and the small but quick - most recently by a growing minority of Muslims immigrate Denmark, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
  English

Other religions are practiced by little groups in Europe :

• Judaism centered on France, Germany, Britain, Russia and Turkey. Judaism has made a minor comeback to say that the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, the Slovak Republic in recent years. Indian immigrants in Britain between the mainly Hindu, in Europe alone, an estimated 500000 Hindu claim. [ Buddhism, Acute spread of Western Europe, and Kalmykia, Russia's Asia kalmuks to pray. Aboriginal traditions and beliefs of pagan Europe, many countries (Quick - neopagan movement is growing in France, Germany, Ireland, noted that Britain), and one religious minority to become a neopagan beliefs asatru Iceland (since 1973), Norway and Sweden. rastafari, the community in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, on the other. Sikhism, Jainism, a small membership rolls, all Indian immigrants, mainly Britain 42-2. Centering on the pier between the African Caribbean and west African immigrants in Britain and France. Africa's traditional religion (mutiui), mainly Britain and France. And a few other religions (or below million) support from Europe: mulhwalron, Christian Scientists, cosmotheism, deitism, Echo - religion, Gnosticism, Paganism infidel, Jehovah's Witnesses, mennonites, moravian churches, Mormons, the latter - the day a saint , Pantheism, polytheism, theological theory of relativity, Scientology, and 7 - the day adventists, Universal Life Church, unitarians, wiccan / cult magic trick, and Zoroastrianism.

For millions of Europeans to confess is not an agnostic or atheist or religious. Rather than the maximum - a confession population (ratio) is found in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the former Soviet nation of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, most of the former communist countries are not important - a confession Population. Most of the activities of a handful of church attendance in western European countries - for example, Britain's one million worshippers at the church around the eye that corresponds to about 2 percent of the population on Britain.

Official religions

Europe is the official religion of many countries, including Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, the Vatican (Catholic), Greece (Orthodox); Denmark, Iceland, Norway (Luther). Switzerland, some countries are officially Catholic, Protestant other pro-reform. Swiss town's name is written on the part of town, as well as other religions do not signal to them, the church is founded entrances.georgia, uh Georgian Orthodox Church, however, to enjoy "de facto" to the current state of the privilege. Finland has two official in the Finnish Orthodox Church and the Lutheran Church. Britain, the United Kingdom as a part of the official religion anglicanism. Scotland, another part of Britain, the elders as the 'national' church, but is no longer "official", and Sweden, 'the people' is a Lutheran church, but no more "official". Azerbaijan, France, Portugal, Romania, Turkey is officially a "secular".