Travel Europe

Anyone who has been to Europe or dreamed of going will recognize the great cultural variation within relatively small areas. Soon every traveler will develop admiration for culture and natural beauty of the fascinating Old World.

Europe has a long history of cultural and economic achievement, starting as far back as the Paleolithic, although this is true for the rest of the Old World as well.

The origins of Western democratic and individualistic culture are often attributed to Ancient Greece, though numerous other distinct influences, in particular Christianity, can also be credited with the spread of concepts like egalitarianism and universality of law.

Europe defies easy categorization, with its compact size and complex history. The following are five (loosely defined) regions in Europe.

European Regions:

1. Western Europe - Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France;

2. Northern Europe - Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark;

3. Central Europe - Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland;

4. Eastern Europe - Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Romania, Russia and Ukraine;

5. Mediterranean Europe - Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Spain, Turkey and Vatican City.

Physically and geologically and in terms of shape, Europe is a collection of connected peninsulas. The two largest of these are "mainland" Europe and Scandinavia to the north, divided from each other by the Baltic Sea. Three smaller peninsulas (Iberia, Italy and the Balkans) emerge from the southern margin of the mainland into the Mediterranean Sea, which separates Europe from Africa. Eastward, mainland Europe widens much like the mouth of a funnel, until the boundary with Asia is reached at the Ural Mountains.

Land relief in Europe shows great variation within relatively small areas. The southern regions, however, are more mountainous, while moving north the terrain descends from the high Alps, Pyrenees and Carpathians, through hilly uplands, into broad, low northern plains, which are vast in the east. This extended lowland is known as the Great European Plain, and at its heart lies the North German Plain. An arc of uplands also exists along the northwestern seaboard, beginning in the western British Isles and continuing along the mountainous, fjord-cut spine of Norway.

Because of political, cultural and geographical differences, there are various descriptions of Europe's boundary. Therefore, in some sources, some countries are not included in Europe, while the other sources do include them.

Explore Europe:

Discover Croatia - Visit Croatia and you will never forget the unforgettable natural beauty of the place where the Mediterranean, the Alps and the Pannonian plain come together. This country has taken something from every one of them and blended those parts into a unique harmony and a rare beauty. Geographically, it stretches from the Pannonian Plain, the Danube region, and woody and hilly areas to real peaks and mountains chains descending to and protecting the unique and unforgettable Adriatic coast.

Travel Germany - Tourism in Germany has improved since the end of World War II and many tourists visit Germany to experience a sense of European history. The countryside exhibits a pastoral aura, while its cities exhibit both a modern and classical feel.

Paris - France - Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with 45 million tourists every year in the Paris Region, 60% of whom are foreign visitors.There are numerous iconic landmarks among its many attractions, along with world-famous institutions and popular parks.

Austria Info - Austria is a country with scenery beyond comparison and a warm hospitality welcoming all. Cycle through lush green valleys or walk amongst spectacular mountains criss-crossed with sparkling streams in summer. Come winter, it’s time to head to well-groomed pistes and snowy mountain summits for stunning panoramas. No matter what time of year, Austria awaits you with fresh air, individuality, “Gemütlichkeit” and value for money.

Discover Mechelen - Belgium - Mechelen is a historic city and municipality in the province of Antwerp in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It lies on the major urban and industrial axis Brussels and Antwerp, about 25 km from each city. Perched on the Dijle river that flows through, the beautiful historic city of Mechelen is often referred to as the Dijlestad ("City on the river Dijle").

Drive-Alive - Great site with info about driving holidays in Europe for the independent motorist. Europe's rich and varied culture, history and geography means that every country offers a different experience. From the flat lands of the Netherlands to the mighty Alpine peaks, from the crashing Atlantic breakers to the warm waters of the Mediterranean, from the sandy beaches of Brittany to the great forests of Germany, there's something for everybody.

Visit Manarola - Delightful Village of the Italian Riviera - Manarola is an impossibly picturesque small village with bright yellow, orange and red houses, part of the municipality of Riomaggiore, in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy.

Malta Gives Good Reasons for a Visit - Malta comprises an archipelago of islands nestled in the warm waters of the Mediterranean about halfway between the coast of North Africa and Sicily. The cluster of islands makes up the southernmost border of Europe and consists of five islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino, along with two smaller uninhabited islands called Filfla and Cominetto.

Exciting Madeira - Madeira Island is one of Europe's most beautiful travel locations with many thousands of tourists returning year after year. Madeira offers not only an all year round summer climate, as well as wonderful fauna and flora, but it is also virtually crime-free and one of the safest holiday destinations in the world! This Madeira guide has hundreds of pages of essential information on where to go, when to go, what to do, how to get there and where to stay, including maps, detailed reports about the weather, geography and history, plus the lowdown on nightlife, people, places and culture.

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