The European Tapestry
A Comprehensive Geographic and Historical Analysis of the Continent.
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Defining Europe
Geographical Context
Europe is a continent situated entirely within the Northern Hemisphere and predominantly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the south. Its eastern and northeastern boundaries are conventionally demarcated by the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the Black Sea, and the Turkish Straits, separating it from Asia.[11]
Size and Population
Covering approximately 10,186,000 square kilometers (3,933,000 sq mi), Europe represents about 2% of Earth's surface area, making it the second-smallest continent. As of 2021, its population was estimated at 745 million, constituting roughly 10% of the global population, positioning it as the third most populous continent after Asia and Africa.[1][2]
Political and Cultural Sphere
Politically, Europe is comprised of approximately fifty sovereign states. The continent's cultural landscape is deeply rooted in the traditions of ancient Greece and Rome, significantly shaped by the subsequent influence of Christianity. This shared heritage forms the foundation of Western civilization.[12][13]
Etymology: The Name 'Europe'
Mythological Origins
The name "Europe" is derived from Europa, a Phoenician princess in Greek mythology. One prominent theory suggests the name originates from the Greek words eurus ('wide') and ops ('eye' or 'face'), implying 'wide-gazing' or 'broad of aspect'.[17][18][19][20] An alternative perspective posits a pre-Indo-European origin for the name.[21]
Linguistic Connections
While some scholars have proposed connections to Semitic terms for 'west' (e.g., Akkadian erebu), these etymologies are considered phonologically weak by others.[20][22] Most major world languages use derivatives of "Europa" or "Europe" to refer to the continent, reflecting its historical significance.[23]
Geographic Boundaries
Continental Divide
The conventional eastern boundary of Europe, established in the mid-19th century, follows the watershed of the Ural Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian Sea, the Greater Caucasus Mountains, the Black Sea, and the Turkish Straits. This demarcation, however, is partly arbitrary and does not consistently follow natural features or political borders.[24]
Waterways and Islands
Islands are typically grouped with the nearest continental landmass. Iceland, for instance, is geographically associated with Europe, while Greenland, despite its political ties to Denmark, is usually assigned to North America. Cyprus, geographically closer to Asia Minor, is politically considered part of Europe and is an EU member state.[25][26]
Transcontinental Nations
Several nations, including Russia, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, are considered transcontinental, with territory spanning both Europe and Asia. This division reflects complex historical, cultural, and ethnic differences rather than a sharp geographic line.[41] France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain also have territories outside their main continental landmasses, separated by oceans or seas.
A Historical Trajectory
Prehistory
The earliest hominin evidence in Europe dates back approximately 1.8 million years ago in Georgia. Neanderthals appeared around 150,000 years ago, eventually being supplanted by modern humans (Cro-Magnons) approximately 40,000 years ago.[55][58][59] The Neolithic period, marked by agriculture and settled communities, began around 7000 BCE in the Balkans and spread across the continent.[63] Monumental structures like Stonehenge emerged during this era.[65]
Classical Antiquity
Ancient Greece, considered the cradle of Western civilization, laid foundations in democracy, philosophy, and science. Key figures include Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, Herodotus, and Hippocrates.[73][76] Rome, following Greece, significantly influenced law, politics, language, and engineering, expanding its empire across the Mediterranean basin and Western Europe.[73] The Pax Romana provided a period of stability.[80]
Middle Ages
The Early Middle Ages saw the decline of the Western Roman Empire and the "Age of Migrations" with various tribal invasions. The Byzantine Empire remained a dominant force in the East.[80][88] The High Middle Ages (c. 1000-1250) witnessed population growth and the rise of maritime republics. The Late Middle Ages were marked by crises like the Great Famine and the devastating Black Death pandemic, which significantly impacted Europe's population and social structure.[121][126]
Early Modern Period
The Renaissance, originating in Florence, spurred cultural and intellectual rebirth, spreading humanism and rediscovering classical knowledge.[130][133] The Reformation challenged the Catholic Church's authority, leading to religious conflicts. The Age of Discovery saw European powers establish vast global empires.[139][147]
18th & 19th Centuries
The Age of Enlightenment promoted reason and scientific thought. The French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars reshaped political landscapes. The Industrial Revolution, beginning in Great Britain, led to rapid technological advancement, urbanization, and societal transformation.[161][174] National unification movements culminated in the formation of modern nation-states like Italy and Germany.[172]
20th Century to Present
The 20th century was dominated by two World Wars, the Russian Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Cold War. These events led to immense loss of life, redrawn borders, and the rise of new global powers.[183][185] Post-war, European integration advanced significantly, notably with the formation and expansion of the European Union.[15]
Cultural and Societal Fabric
Religions
Christianity is the predominant religion, practiced by approximately 76.2% of the population. Irreligion accounts for 18.3%, and Islam for 4.9%, with other religions comprising the remainder.[7]
Languages
A multitude of languages are spoken across Europe. The most common include Russian, German, French, Italian, English, Spanish, Polish, Ukrainian, Romanian, Dutch, Swedish, and Serbo-Croatian, reflecting the continent's diverse linguistic heritage.
- Russian
- German
- French
- Italian
- English
- Spanish
- Polish
- Ukrainian
- Romanian
- Dutch
- Swedish
- Serbo-Croatian
Major Urban Centers
Prominent Metropolitan Areas
Europe features numerous major urban areas, reflecting its dense population and historical development. Some of the largest and most influential include:
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References
References
- Norman F. Cantor, The Civilization of the Middle Ages, 1993, ""Culture and Society in the First Europe", pp185ff.
- Atkinson, R.J.C., Stonehenge (Penguin Books, 1956)
- Pedersen, Olaf. Early Physics and Astronomy: A Historical Introduction. 2nd edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
- Laiou & Morisson 2007, pp. 130â131; Pounds 1979, p. 124.
- Norman F. Cantor, The Medieval World 300 to 1300.
- Kennedy, Hugh (1995). "The Muslims in Europe". In McKitterick, Rosamund, The New Cambridge Medieval History: c. 500 â c. 700, pp. 249â272. Cambridge University Press. 052136292X.
- Gerald Mako, "The Islamization of the Volga Bulghars: A Question Reconsidered", Archivum Eurasiae Medii Aevi 18, 2011, 199â223.
- G. Benvenuti, Le Repubbliche Marinare. Amalfi, Pisa, Genova, Venezia, Newton & Compton editori, Roma 1989
- Laiou & Morisson 2007, pp. 130â131; Pounds 1979, p. 124.
- Virginia Aksan, Ottoman Wars, 1700â1860: An Empire Besieged, (Pearson Education Limited, 2007), 28.
- "Legacy of famine divides Ukraine ". BBC News. 24 November 2006.
- "Europe honours war dead on VE Day ". BBC News. 9 May 2005.
- "Refugees: Save Us! Save Us!". Time. 9 July 1979.
- Karlo Ruzicic-Kessler "Togliatti, Tito and the Shadow of Moscow 1944/45â1948: Post-War Territorial Disputes and the Communist World", In: Journal of European Integration History, (2/2014).
- Thomas Roser: DDR-Massenflucht: Ein Picknick hebt die Welt aus den Angeln (German â Mass exodus of the GDR: A picnic clears the world) In: Die Presse 16 August 2018.
- Der 19. August 1989 war ein Test für Gorbatschows" (German â August 19, 1989 was a test for Gorbachev), In: FAZ 19 August 2009.
- Michael Frank: Paneuropäisches Picknick â Mit dem Picknickkorb in die Freiheit (German: Pan-European picnic â With the picnic basket to freedom), in: Süddeutsche Zeitung 17 May 2010.
- Democracy Report 2024, Varieties of Democracy
- Dornbusch, Rudiger; Nölling, Wilhelm P.; Layard, Richard G. Postwar Economic Reconstruction and Lessons for the East Today, p. 117
- Dornbusch, Rudiger; Nölling, Wilhelm P.; Layard, Richard G. Postwar Economic Reconstruction and Lessons for the East Today, p. 29
- Robert Greenall, Russians left behind in Central Asia , BBC News, 23 November 2005
- The Pittsburgh Press, 25 October 1915, p. 11
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