Welcome to our quiz on geography of Europe.
European Landmass
Europe is a small continent in the Northern Hemisphere with a territory of just over ten million square kilometers. Its largest state is Russia, taking up about 40% of its landmass. Topography of Europe is diverse and includes extensive plains, woodlands and high mountain ranges. Europe's lowest point is the shore of the Caspian Sea at 28 meters below the sea level. Its highest is the dormant stratovolcano Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus, reaching the elevation of 5,642 meters The continent is surrounded by the Artic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean. It is separated from Asia by the Ural Mountains and the Caucasus. Geologically, Europe is the northwestern peninsula of Eurasia but reflecting its political, cultural and ethnical identities, as well as having flora and fauna distinct from that of Asia, Europe has earned its status of a continent.
European Population
Europe is a melting pot of many ethnicities. Its countries are inhabited by various historic populations, now mixing with immigrant communities. The current population of the continent is estimated at about 750 million. Russia is the most populous European state with about 110 million Russians living on the continent. Other populous states in Europe include: Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Poland. The continent is aging fast with its median age approaching 45 years. With the fertility rate much below the replacement rate and inadequate immigration levels, the population of Europe is expected to decrease to 425 million at the end the century.
European Flora and Fauna
The small but diverse territory of Europe provides a habitat for a variety of plant and animal life. Ancient forests still surving in Romania, Poland and Belarus are especially rich with thousands of plant and animal species, including thriving deer, moose, bear and recovering bison, lynx, wolf and the golden eagle. Industrial activity and urbanization have greatly reduced wildlife population on the continent but recovery efforts are underway. Numerous national parks and nature reserves have been established to protect the struggling biodiversity.
Invitation to Europe
The term Europe dates back to ancient Greece. Its origin and meaning are not certain and continue to be debated with several popular theories in circulation. What is clear is that ancient Greeks saw in the world known to them differences significant enough to divide it into three parts. This was the origin of Europe as a continent. We hope you will enjoy our quiz on Europe, further your interest in this old continent and maybe even embark on a trip for an in-person experience. Despite political instability in some regions, Europe is open to tourism and is generally considered very safe. The continent receives hundreds of millions of visitors each year and this number is projected to continue to grow in the coming decades.
