INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT EUROPE – Part 1
11. HOME TO THE SECOND MOST ACTIVE VOLCANO IN THE WORLD
Mount Etna in Italy is the second most active volcano in the world and has had several eruptions in recent history. It’s a stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily in Italy.
12. EUROPEANS HAVE FORMED WESTERN CIVILIZATION
European settlers have traveled worldwide and “discovered” the new world and brought along their culture. The European influence can be found in every continent. In the USA, Australia and New Zealand, the majority of “white” people are descendants of Europeans.
Many South American countries have European ancestry as well, especially Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.
Some of the most impacting civilizations originated on the European continent as well, such as the Ancient Greeks and the Roman empire.
13. THERE USED TO BE LIONS ON THE EUROPEAN CONTINENT
The European lions became extinct in 1000 AD. Fossils have been found and excavated in several countries in Southern- and Eastern Europe. They probably became extinct due to hunting and lack of living space.
Greek lions were used in the Gladiator games in the Roman Empire.
14. RUSSIA IS THE MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY
While Germany is the most populous country wholly inside the European continent, about 77% of Russians live on the European side of the country.
Germany has a population of about 82,8 million people, however, there are about 110 million Russians living on the European side of Russia, which would make it the most populous European country.
15. THERE IS A EUROPEAN UNION
Not every country in Europe is part of the European Union, but 28 countries have entered the union. And 19 out of these countries use the currency EURO, which is the collective currency within the Union.
However, not everyone has switched their local currencies yet. In total 23 countries use the EURO as their currency.
The European Union is basically a trading union that allows citizens of the included nations to move freely and trade with each other without tolls. This means that any citizen from a European Union country can move to another EU country to work or live.
5 X FUN FACTS ABOUT EUROPE
- The longest town name in Europe is Lanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogo, in Wales
- The Czech Republic is the most beer-drinking country per capita
- There are more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Europe than any other continent in the world
- The highest toilet can be found at Mount Blanc
- Tomatoes didn’t arrive here until the 16th century but are now one of the most common vegetables
5 X EUROPE FACTS FOR KIDS
- More than 200 languages are being spoken throughout Europe
- It is part of the supercontinent Eurasia (Europe and Asia)
- Christianity is the main religion, although many consider themselves non-religious
- The continent is home to about 11% of the world’s population despite the continent only cover 3% of the world’s land area
- The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, and home to the Pope
GENERAL FACTS ABOUT EUROPE
Below are some general info such as total population, land area, biggest lake, highest mountain and other general facts about Europe that might be interesting to know.
- Total Population: 741 million people
- Number of Countries: 50
- Demonym: European
- Most spoken languages: English, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, French, Polish
- Largest city: Istanbul
- Life expectancy: 75 years (males) 82 years (females)
- Highest Mountain: Mount Elbrus in Russia – 5,642 meters above the sea (18,510ft)
- Land area: 10,180,000 km2 (3,930,000 sq mi)
- Largest Lake: Lake Ladoga
- Religion: The majority are Christians or non-religious. There is a growing Muslim population as well.
- Time zone: UTC−1 to UTC+5