ইউৰোপ: বিভিন্ন সংশোধনসমূহৰ মাজৰ পাৰ্থক্য

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== টোকা ==
{{otheruses}}
{{long}}
{{Expand|date=April 2007}}
[[চিত্ৰ:Location of Europe.svg|thumb|250px|World map showing the location of Europe.]]
[[চিত্ৰ:Europesatelliteorthographic101.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[satellite]] composite image of Europe]]
{{Europe Labelled Map|float=right}}
 
'''Europe''' is one of the seven traditional [[continent]]s of the [[Earth]]. [[Physical geography|Physically]] and [[geology|geologically]], Europe is the westernmost [[peninsula]] of [[Eurasia]], west of [[Asia]]. Europe is bound to the north by the [[Arctic Ocean]], to the west by the [[Atlantic Ocean]], to the south by the [[Mediterranean Sea]], to the southeast by the [[Caucasus Mountains]] and the [[Black Sea]] and the waterways connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. To the east, Europe is generally divided from Asia by the [[water divide]] of the [[Ural Mountains]], the [[Ural (river)|Ural River]], and by the [[Caspian Sea]].
 
Europe is the world's second-smallest continent in terms of [[area]], covering about 10,180,000 [[square kilometre]]s (3,930,000 [[square mile|sq mi]]) or 2.0% of the Earth's surface. The only continent smaller than Europe is [[Australia (continent)|Australia]]. In terms of [[population]], it is the third-largest continent (after Asia and [[Africa]]) with a population of 710,000,000 or about 11% of the world's population. However, the term ''continent'' can refer to a [[human geography|cultural and political]] distinction or a [[physical geography|physiographic]] one, leading to various perspectives about Europe's precise borders, area, and population.
 
The [[European Union]] (EU), comprising 27 [[EU member states|member states]], is the largest political and economic entity by area and population covering the European continent, while [[Russia]] (excluding portions in Asia) is the second largest entity and largest country. The EU has the world's largest economy with an estimated nominal GDP of 14.2 trillion USD (2006) accounting for 35% of world GDP.<ref name="EU GDP, World Monetary Fund">{{cite web|url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2006/02/data/weorept.aspx?sy=2005&ey=2007&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=163%2C998&s=NGDPD&grp=1&a=1&pr1.x=57&pr1.y=11|title=EU GDP, World Monetary Fund|accessdate=2006-11-03}}</ref>
 
== Etymology ==
{{wiktionary|Europe}}
In [[Greek mythology]], [[Europa (mythology)|Europa]] was a [[Phoenicia]]n princess who was abducted by [[Zeus]] in bull form and taken to the island of [[Crete]], where she gave birth to [[Minos]], [[Rhadamanthus]] and [[Sarpedon]]. For [[Homer]], '''Europe''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: {{polytonic|Εὐρώπη}} ''{{Unicode|Eurṓpē}}''; see also [[List of traditional Greek place names]]) was a mythological queen of Crete, not a geographical designation. Later ''Europa'' stood for [[Geography of Greece|mainland Greece]], and by 500 BC its meaning had been extended to lands to the north.
 
In etymology one theory suggests the name ''Europe'' is derived from the Greek words meaning broad (''eurys'') and face (''ops'') – ''broad'' having been an [[epithet]] of [[Earth]] itself in the reconstructed [[Proto-Indo-European religion]]; see [[Prithvi]] (''Plataia''). A minority, however, suggest this Greek [[popular etymology]] is really based on a [[Semitic]] word such as the [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] ''erebu'' meaning "sunset"<ref name="Etymonline: European">{{cite web| url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=European| title=Etymonline: European| accessdate=2006-09-10}}</ref> (see also ''[[Erebus]]'').
 
From the [[Middle East]]ern vantagepoint, the sun does set over Europe, the lands to the west. Likewise, [[Asia]] is sometimes thought to have derived from a Semitic word such as the Akkadian ''asu'', meaning "sunrise",<ref name="Etymonline: Asia">{{cite web| url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Asia| title=Etymonline: Asia| accessdate=2006-09-10}}</ref> and is the land to the east from a Middle Eastern perspective. For centuries, the [[Turkish people|Turks]] used the term ''Frengistan'' (land of the Franks) in referring to Europe.<ref name="davison">{{cite journal |author=Davidson, Roderic H. |title=Where is the Middle East? |journal=Foreign Affairs |volume=38 |pages=p. 665-675 |year=1960}}</ref>
 
The majority of major world languages use words derived from "Europa" to refer to the continent – e.g. Chinese uses the word ''{{Unicode|Ōuzhōu}}'' (歐洲), which is an abbreviation of the transliterated name ''{{Unicode|Ōuluóbā zhōu}}'' (歐羅巴洲).
 
== History ==
{{main|History of Europe}}
 
The origins of Western [[democracy|democratic]] and [[individualism|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 such as [[egalitarianism]] and [[rule of law|universality of law]].
 
After the [[decline of the Roman Empire]], Europe entered a long period of changes arising from what is known as the [[Age of Migrations]]. That period has been known as the "[[Dark Ages]]" to [[Renaissance]] thinkers. Isolated monastic communities in [[Great Britain]], [[Ireland]] and elsewhere carefully safeguarded and compiled written knowledge accumulated previously.
 
During this time, the western part of the Roman Empire was 'reborn' as the [[Holy Roman Empire]], later called [[Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation]]. The eastern part of the Roman Empire became known in the west as the [[Byzantine Empire]]. The 'Byzantines' themselves still called themselves {{polytonic|Βασιλεία τῶν Ῥωμαίων}} ''Basileia tōn Romaiōn'' - the Empire of the Romans. In 1453, when the [[Ottoman Empire]] conquered the Byzantine capital [[Constantinople]], the Byzantine Empire ceased to exist, with a small hold out state of [[Empire of Trebizond|Trebizond]] which lasted until 1461.
 
The [[Renaissance]] and the [[New Monarchs]] marked the start of a period of discovery, exploration, and increase in scientific knowledge. In the 15th century, [[Portugal]] opened the age of discoveries, soon followed by [[Spain]]. They were later joined by [[France]], the [[Netherlands]] and [[England]] in building large colonial empires with vast holdings in [[Africa]], [[the Americas]], and [[Asia]].
 
After the age of discovery, the ideas of [[democracy]] took hold in Europe. Struggles for independence arose, most notably in [[France]] during the period known as the [[French Revolution]]. This led to vast upheaval in Europe as these revolutionary ideas propagated across the continent. The rise of democracy led to increased tension within Europe on top of the tension already existing due to competition within the [[New World]]. The most famous of these conflicts happened when [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon Bonaparte]] rose to power and set out on a conquest, forming a new [[First French Empire|French Empire]], which soon collapsed. After these conquests Europe stabilised, but the old foundations were already beginning to crumble.
 
The [[Industrial Revolution]] started in [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] in the late 18th century, leading to a move away from agriculture, much greater general prosperity and a corresponding increase in population. Many of the states in Europe took their present form in the [[aftermath of World War I#Geopolitical and Economic Consequences|aftermath of World War I]]. From the end of [[World War II]] through the end of the [[Cold War]], Europe was divided into two major political and economic blocks: [[Communism|Communist]] nations in [[Eastern Europe]] and [[Capitalist]] countries in [[Southern Europe]], [[Northern Europe]] and [[Western Europe]]. About 1990, with the fall of the [[Berlin Wall]], the wider [[Iron Curtain]], and the [[Soviet Union]] the [[Eastern Block]] disintegrated.
 
[[European integration]] has been a theme in European relations since the end of the second World War, and has accelerated since the end of the [[Cold War]]. The [[European Union]], the successor to the [[European Community]], has enlarged from 6 original founding members to 27 today. The European Union has developed from a trade-oriented organisation into one resembling a confederation in a number of respects. European membership of [[NATO]] has also increased since the end of the Cold War, with the admission of a number of Eastern European countries.
 
== Geography and extent ==
{{main|Geography of Europe}}
<!--
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; float: right; margin-right:60px"
!colspan=2 |Definitions of Europe
|-
|[[Image:Location of Europe.png|250px|thumb|Traditional definition of Europe]]
||[[Image:Newspaper Georgian Times New Europe definition.PNG|250px|Georgian Times new definition of Europe]]
|-
|Traditional Definition<br/> of Europe|| New Definition of Europe<br/> Proposed by the Georgian Times [http://www.geotimes.ge/index.php?m=home&newsid=2912] This is not a common definition, and why was Canada not added to "Europe"
|}-->
 
[[চিত্ৰ:Europe countries map en.png|thumb|250px|right|Political map (neighbouring countries in Asia and Africa also shown)]]
[[চিত্ৰ:Albours.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Mount Elbrus]], the highest mountain in Europe.]]
[[চিত্ৰ:Tara River Canyon.jpg|right|thumb|[[Tara River (Montenegro)|Tara River]] Canyon, the deepest canyon in Europe]]
[[চিত্ৰ:Vourvourou-Greece.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Shoreline in [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] [[Greece]].]]
[[চিত্ৰ:Tatry zRysow.jpg|right|250px|thumb|View from the top of the [[Rysy]] mountain in [[Poland]].]]
[[চিত্ৰ:Päijänne and päijätsalo.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[Päijänne]] lake and [[white nights]] in [[Finland]].]]
[[চিত্ৰ:Iceland Dettifoss 1972-4.jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Dettifoss]], the most powerful [[waterfall]] in Europe, is located in northeastern [[Iceland]].]]
 
[[Physical geography|Physiographically]], Europe is the northwestern constituent of the larger landmass known as [[Eurasia]], or [[Africa-Eurasia]]: [[Asia]] occupies the eastern bulk of this continuous landmass (save the [[Suez Canal]] separating Asia and [[Africa]]) and all share a common [[continental shelf]]. Europe's eastern frontier is now commonly delineated by the [[Ural Mountains]] in [[Russia]] ([[Strabo]], ''Geography'' 11.1, took the [[Tanais River]] to be the boundary, as did early [[Judea|Judaic]] sources). The southeast boundary with Asia is not universally defined. Most commonly the [[Ural River|Ural]] or, alternatively, the [[Emba River]] serve as possible boundaries. The boundary continues to the [[Caspian Sea]], the crest of the [[Caucasus Mountains]] or, alternatively, the [[Kura River]] in the [[Caucasus]], and on to the [[Black Sea]]; the [[Bosporus]], the [[Sea of Marmara]], and the [[Dardanelles]] conclude the Asian boundary. The [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the south separates Europe from [[Africa]]. The western boundary is the [[Atlantic Ocean]]; [[Iceland]], though nearer to [[Greenland]] ([[North America]]) than mainland Europe, is generally included in Europe. There is ongoing debate on where the [[geographical centre of Europe]] is. ''For detailed description of the boundary between Asia and Europe see [[transcontinental nation]].''
 
Due to sociopolitical and cultural differences, there are various descriptions of Europe's boundary; in some sources, some territories are not included in Europe, while other sources include them. For instance, geographers from [[Post-Soviet states|Russia and other post-Soviet states]] generally include the Urals in Europe while including Caucasia in Asia. Numerous geographers consider [[Azerbaijan]]'s and [[Armenia]]'s southern border with [[Iran]] and [[Turkey]]'s southern and eastern border with [[Syria]], [[Iraq]], and [[Iran]] as the boundary between Asia and Europe. Similarly, the island of [[Cyprus]], though closest to Turkey ([[Anatolia|Asia Minor]]), is frequently included in Europe.
 
In another usage, ''Europe'' is increasingly being used as a short-form for the [[European Union]] (EU) and its members, currently consisting of 27 member states and the candidate countries negotiating for membership, and several other countries expected to begin negotiations in the future (see [[Enlargement of the European Union]]). This definition, however, excludes non-members such as [[Switzerland]], [[Norway]] and [[Russia]].
 
=== Physical geography ===
 
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 north-western seaboard, beginning in the western [[British Isles]] and continuing along the mountainous, [[fjord]]-cut spine of [[Norway]].
 
This description is simplified. Sub-regions such as Iberia and Italy contain their own complex features, as does mainland Europe itself, where the relief contains many plateaus, river valleys and basins that complicate the general trend. [[Iceland]] and the [[British Isles]] are special cases. The former is a land unto itself in the northern ocean which is counted as part of Europe, while the latter are upland areas that were once joined to the mainland until rising sea levels cut them off.
 
== Biodiversity ==
<!-- Probably this should be transferred to a new article named "Biodiversity of Europe" and only the summary should be left here. Specific species should be added. -->
 
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. With the exception of [[Scandinavia]] and northern [[Russia]], few areas of untouched wilderness are currently found in Europe, except for various national parks.
 
The main natural vegetation cover in Europe is [[forest]]. The conditions for growth are very favourable. In the north, the [[Gulf Stream]] and [[North Atlantic Drift]] warm the continent. Southern Europe could be described as having a warm, but mild climate. There are frequent summer droughts in this region. Mountain ridges also affect the conditions. Some of these ([[Alps]], [[Pyrenees]]) are oriented east-west and allow the wind to carry large masses of water from the ocean in the interior. Others are oriented south-north ([[Scandinavian Mountains]], [[Dinaric Alps|Dinarides]], [[Carpathians]], [[Apennines]]) and because the rain falls primarily on the side of mountains that is oriented towards sea, forests grow well on this side, while on the other side, the conditions are much less favourable. Few corners of mainland Europe have not been grazed by [[livestock]] at some point in time, and the cutting down of the pre-agricultural forest habitat caused disruption to the original plant and animal ecosystems.
 
Eighty to ninety per cent of Europe was once covered by forest. It stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the [[Arctic Ocean]]. Though over half of Europe's original forests disappeared through the centuries of [[deforestation]], Europe still has over one quarter of its land area as forest, such as the [[taiga]] of Scandinavia and Russia, mixed [[rainforest]]s of the Caucasus and the [[Cork oak]] forests in the western Mediterranean. During recent times, deforestation has been slowed and many trees have been planted. However, in many cases monoculture [[plantation]]s of [[Pinophyta|conifers]] have replaced the original mixed natural forest, because these grow quicker. The plantations now cover vast areas of land, but offer poorer habitats for many European forest dwelling species which require a mixture of tree species and diverse forest structure. The amount of natural forest in Western Europe is just 2–3% or less, in European Russia 5–10%. The country with the smallest percentage of forested area (excluding the micronations) is the [[Republic of Ireland]] (8%), while the most forested country is Finland(72%).
 
In temperate Europe, mixed forest with both [[flowering plant|broadleaf]] and [[pinophyta|coniferous]] trees dominate. The most important species in central and western Europe are [[beech]] and [[oak]]. In the north, the taiga is a mixed [[spruce]]-[[pine]]-[[birch]] forest; further north within Russia and extreme northern Scandinavia, the taiga gives way to [[tundra]] as the Arctic is approached. In the Mediterranean, many [[olive]] trees have been planted, which are very well adapted to its arid climate; [[Cupressus sempervirens|Mediterranean Cypress]] is also widely planted in southern Europe. The semi-arid Mediterranean region hosts much scrub forest. A narrow east-west tongue of Eurasian [[grassland]] (the [[steppe]]) extends eastwards from Ukraine and southern Russia and ends in Hungary and traverses into taiga to the north.
 
Glaciation during the most recent [[ice age]] and the presence of man affected the distribution of European fauna. As for the animals, in many parts of Europe most large animals and top [[predator]] species have been hunted to extinction. The [[woolly mammoth]] and [[aurochs]] were extinct before the end of the [[Neolithic]] period. Today [[wolf|wolves]] ([[carnivore]]s) and [[bears]] ([[omnivore]]s) are endangered. Once they were found in most parts of Europe. However, deforestation caused these animals to withdraw further and further. By the [[Middle Ages]] the bears' habitats were limited to more or less inaccessible mountains with sufficient forest cover.[[চিত্ৰ:Praia do Tamariz - Estoril.jpg|thumb|right|270px|Tamariz beach - [[Portugal]]]] Today, the brown bear lives primarily in the Balkan peninsula, Scandinavia, and Russia; a small number also persist in other countries across Europe (Austria, Pyrenees etc.), but in these areas brown bear populations are fragmented and marginalised because of the destruction of their habitat. In addition, [[polar bear]]s may be found on [[Svalbard]], a [[Norway|Norwegian]] archipelago far north of Scandinavia. The wolf, the second largest predator in Europe after the brown bear, can be found primarily in [[Eastern Europe]] and in the Balkans, with a handful of packs in Spain and Scandinavia.
 
Other important European carnivores are [[Eurasian lynx]], European [[wild cat]], [[fox]]es (especially the [[red fox]]), [[jackal]] and different species of [[marten]]s, [[hedgehog]]s, different species of snakes ([[viper]]s, [[grass snake]]...), different birds ([[owl]]s, [[hawk]]s and other [[birds of prey]]).
 
Important European [[herbivore]]s are [[snail]]s, [[amphibian]] [[larva]]e, [[fish]], different birds, and [[mammal]]s, like [[rodent]]s, [[deer]] and [[roe deer]], [[boar]]s, and living in the mountains, [[marmot]]s, [[Alpine Ibex|steinbocks]], [[chamois]] among others.
 
Sea creatures are also an important part of European flora and fauna. The sea flora is mainly [[phytoplankton]]. Important animals that live in European seas are [[zooplankton]], [[mollusc]]s, [[echinoderm]]s, different [[crustacean]]s, [[squid]]s and [[octopuses]], fish, [[dolphin]]s, and [[whales]].
 
== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of Europe}}
 
[[চিত্ৰ:Europe population growth 2006.png|thumb|The population growth/decline of European countries]]
 
Since the [[Renaissance]], Europe has had a dominating influence in culture, economics and social movements in the world. European demographics are important not only historically, but also in understanding current international relations and population issues.
 
Some current and past issues in European demographics have included [[Emigration|religious emigration]], [[race relations]], [[Immigration#Why do people immigrate.3F|economic immigration]], a declining [[birth rate]] and an [[aging population]]. In some countries, such as the [[Republic of Ireland]] and [[Poland]], access to [[abortion]] is currently limited; in the past, such restrictions and also restrictions on artificial birth control were commonplace throughout Europe. Furthermore, three European countries ([[The Netherlands]], [[Belgium]] and [[Switzerland]]) have allowed a limited form of [[voluntary euthanasia]] for some terminally ill people.
 
In 2005, the '''population of Europe''' was estimated to be 728 million according to the [[United Nations]], which is slightly more than one-ninth of the [[world]]'s population. A century ago, Europe had nearly a quarter of the world's population. The population of Europe has grown in the past century, but in other areas of the world (in particular [[Africa]] and [[Asia]]) the population has grown far more quickly.<ref name="UNPP 2004">[http://esa.un.org/unpp UNPP, 2004 Revision World Population Prospects: The 2004 Revision Population Database]. [[United Nations]] Population Division, 2005. Last accessed October 25, 2006.</ref> According to UN population projection (medium variant), Europe's share will fall to 7% in 2050, numbering 653 million.<ref>http://esa.un.org/unpp/p2k0data.asp</ref>
 
== Political geography ==
=== Territories and regions ===
{{seealso|Demographics of Europe}}
[[চিত্ৰ:Location-Europe-UNsubregions,_Kosovo_as_part_of_Serbia.png|right|thumb|230px|[[Region]]s of Europe as delineated by the [[United Nations]] (other categorisations may vary):
{{legend|#4080FF|[[Northern Europe]]}}
{{legend|#00FFFF|[[Western Europe]]}}
{{legend|#FF8080|[[Eastern Europe]]}}
{{legend|#00FF00|[[Southern Europe]]}}]]
The countries in this table are categorised according to the [[UN geoscheme|scheme for geographic subregions]] used by the [[United Nations]], and data included are per sources in cross-referenced articles. Where they differ, provisos are clearly indicated.
 
According to different definitions, such as consideration of the concept of [[Central Europe]], the following territories and regions may be subject to various other categorisations.
<br />
{| border="1" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" class="references-small" style="border:1px solid #aaa; border-collapse:collapse"
|- bgcolor="#ECECEC"
! Name of [[subregion|region]]<ref>Continental regions as per [[:Image:United Nations geographical subregions.png|UN categorisations/map]]. Depending on definitions, various territories cited below may be in [[Transcontinental nation|one or both of]] Europe and [[Asia]], [[Africa]], or [[Oceania]].<br /></ref> and<br />territory, with [[flag]]
! [[List of countries by area|Area]]<br />(km²)
! [[List of countries by population|Population]]<br />(1 July, 2002 est.)
! [[List of countries by population density|Population density]]<br />(per km²)
! [[Capital]]
|-
| colspan=5 style="background:#eee;" | '''[[Eastern Europe]]:'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Belarus}} [[Belarus]]
| align="right" | 207,600
| align="right" | 10,335,382
| align="right" | 49.8
| [[Minsk]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Bulgaria]]
| align="right" | 110,910
| align="right" | 7,621,337
| align="right" | 68.7
| [[Sofia]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Czech Republic]]
| align="right" | 78,866
| align="right" | 10,256,760
| align="right" | 130.1
| [[Prague]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Hungary}} [[Hungary]]
| align="right" | 93,030
| align="right" | 10,075,034
| align="right" | 108.3
| [[Budapest]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Moldova}} [[Moldova]]<ref>Includes [[Transnistria]], a region that has declared, and ''[[de facto]]'' [[list of unrecognized countries|achieved]], independence; however, it is not recognised ''[[de jure]]'' by sovereign [[state]]s.</ref>
| align="right" | 33,843
| align="right" | 4,434,547
| align="right" | 131.0
| [[Chişinău]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Poland]]
| align="right" | 312,685
| align="right" | 38,625,478
| align="right" | 123.5
| [[Warsaw]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Romania}} [[Romania]]
| align="right" | 238,391
| align="right" | 21,698,181
| align="right" | 91.0
| [[Bucharest]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Russia]]<ref>[[Russia]] is generally considered a transcontinental country in Eastern Europe (UN region) and Asia, with European territory west of the Ural Mountains and both the [[Ural River|Ural]] and [[Emba]] rivers; population and area figures are for European portion only.<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 3,960,000
| align="right" | 106,037,143
| align="right" | 26.8
| [[Moscow]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Slovakia}} [[Slovakia]]
| align="right" | 48,845
| align="right" | 5,422,366
| align="right" | 111.0
| [[Bratislava]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Ukraine]]
| align="right" | 603,700
| align="right" | 48,396,470
| align="right" | 80.2
| [[Kiev]]
|-
| colspan=5 style="background:#eee;" | '''[[Northern Europe]]:'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Åland}} [[Åland]] ([[Finland]])
| align="right" | 1,552
| align="right" | 26,008
| align="right" | 16.8
| [[Mariehamn]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Denmark}} [[Denmark]]
| align="right" | 43,094
| align="right" | 5,368,854
| align="right" | 124.6
| [[Copenhagen]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Estonia}} [[Estonia]]
| align="right" | 45,226
| align="right" | 1,415,681
| align="right" | 31.3
| [[Tallinn]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Faroe Islands}} [[Faroe Islands]] ([[Denmark]])
| align="right" | 1,399
| align="right" | 46,011
| align="right" | 32.9
| [[Tórshavn]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Finland}} [[Finland]]
| align="right" | 336,593
| align="right" | 5,157,537
| align="right" | 15.3
| [[Helsinki]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Guernsey}} [[Guernsey]]<ref>[[Guernsey]] is a [[crown dependency]] affiliated with the [[United Kingdom]].<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 78
| align="right" | 64,587
| align="right" | 828.0
| [[St Peter Port]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Iceland}} [[Iceland]]
| align="right" | 103,000
| align="right" | 307,261
| align="right" | 2.7
| [[Reykjavík]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Ireland}} [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| align="right" | 70,280
| align="right" | 4,234,925
| align="right" | 60.3
| [[Dublin]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Isle of Man}} [[Isle of Man]]<ref>[[Isle of Man]] is a [[crown dependency]] affiliated with the [[United Kingdom]].<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 572
| align="right" | 73,873
| align="right" | 129.1
| [[Douglas, Isle of Man|Douglas]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Jersey}} [[Jersey]]<ref>[[Jersey]] is a [[crown dependency]] affiliated with the [[United Kingdom]].<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 116
| align="right" | 89,775
| align="right" | 773.9
| [[Saint Helier]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Latvia}} [[Latvia]]
| align="right" | 64,589
| align="right" | 2,366,515
| align="right" | 36.6
| [[Riga]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Lithuania}} [[Lithuania]]
| align="right" | 65,200
| align="right" | 3,601,138
| align="right" | 55.2
| [[Vilnius]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Norway]]
| align="right" | 324,220
| align="right" | 4,525,116
| align="right" | 14.0
| [[Oslo]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Norway}} [[Svalbard and Jan Mayen|Svalbard and Jan<br />Mayen Islands]] ([[Norway]])
| align="right" | 62,049
| align="right" | 2,868
| align="right" | 0.046
| [[Longyearbyen]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} [[Sweden]]
| align="right" | 449,964
| align="right" | 9,090,113
| align="right" | 19.7
| [[Stockholm]]
|-
| {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]
| align="right" | 244,820
| align="right" | 59,201,000
| align="right" | 244.2
| [[London]]
|-
| colspan=5 style="background:#eee;" | '''[[Southern Europe]]:'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Albania}} [[Albania]]
| align="right" | 28,748
| align="right" | 3,544,841
| align="right" | 123.3
| [[Tirana]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Andorra}} [[Andorra]]
| align="right" | 468
| align="right" | 68,403
| align="right" | 146.2
| [[Andorra la Vella]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
| align="right" | 51,129
| align="right" | 4,448,500
| align="right" | 77.5
| [[Sarajevo]]
|-
| {{flagicon|CRO}} [[Croatia]]
| align="right" | 56,542
| align="right" | 4,390,751
| align="right" | 77.7
| [[Zagreb]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Gibraltar}} [[Gibraltar]] ([[United Kingdom|UK]])
| align="right" | 5.9
| align="right" | 27,714
| align="right" | 4,697.3
| [[Gibraltar]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Greece}} [[Greece]]
| align="right" | 131,940
| align="right" | 10,645,343
| align="right" | 80.7
| [[Athens]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italy]]
| align="right" | 301,230
| align="right" | 58,751,711
| align="right" | 191.6
| [[Rome]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Macedonia}} [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]]
| align="right" | 25,333
| align="right" | 2,054,800
| align="right" | 81.1
| [[Skopje]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Malta}} [[Malta]]
| align="right" | 316
| align="right" | 397,499
| align="right" | 1,257.9
| [[Valletta]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Montenegro}} [[Montenegro]]<ref>Montenegro declared independence from the union of [[Serbia and Montenegro]] on 3 June, 2006.<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 13,812
| align="right" | 616,258
| align="right" | 44.6
| [[Podgorica]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Portugal]]<ref>Figures for [[Portugal]] include the [[Azores]] west of Portugal but exclude the [[Madeira Islands]], west of [[Morocco]] in [[Africa]].<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 91,568
| align="right" | 10,084,245
| align="right" | 110.1
| [[Lisbon]]
|-
| {{flagicon|San Marino}} [[San Marino]]
| align="right" | 61
| align="right" | 27,730
| align="right" | 454.6
| [[San Marino, San Marino|San Marino]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Serbia}} [[Serbia]]<ref>Figures for [[Serbia]] include [[Kosovo|Kosovo and Metohia]], a province administrated by the UN ([[UNMIK]]) as per [[Security Council]] [[resolution 1244]].<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 88,361
| align="right" | 9,663,742
| align="right" | 109.4
| [[Belgrade]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Slovenia]]
| align="right" | 20,273
| align="right" | 1,932,917
| align="right" | 95.3
| [[Ljubljana]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Spain}} [[Spain]]<ref>Figures for [[Spain]] exclude the [[Canary Islands]], west of Morocco in [[Africa]], and the [[exclave]]s of [[Ceuta]] and [[Melilla]], which are on the northwest of the African continent.<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 498,506
| align="right" | 40,077,100
| align="right" | 80.4
| [[Madrid]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Vatican City}} [[Vatican City]]
| align="right" | 0.44
| align="right" | 900
| align="right" | 2,045.5
| [[Vatican City]]
|-
| colspan=5 style="background:#eee;" | '''[[Western Europe]]:'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Austria}} [[Austria]]
| align="right" | 83,858
| align="right" | 8,169,929
| align="right" | 97.4
| [[Vienna]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Belgium]]
| align="right" | 30,510
| align="right" | 10,274,595
| align="right" | 336.8
| [[Brussels]]
|-
| {{flagicon|France}} [[France]]<ref>Figures for [[France]] include only [[metropolitan France]]: some [[Administrative divisions of France|politically integral parts of France]] are geographically located outside Europe.<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 547,030
| align="right" | 59,765,983
| align="right" | 109.3
| [[Paris]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Germany]]
| align="right" | 357,021
| align="right" | 83,251,851
| align="right" | 233.2
| [[Berlin]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Liechtenstein}} [[Liechtenstein]]
| align="right" | 160
| align="right" | 32,842
| align="right" | 205.3
| [[Vaduz]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} [[Luxembourg]]
| align="right" | 2,586
| align="right" | 448,569
| align="right" | 173.5
| [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Monaco}} [[Monaco]]
| align="right" | 1.95
| align="right" | 31,987
| align="right" | 16,403.6
| [[Monaco]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Netherlands]]<ref>[[Netherlands]] population for July 2004. Population and area details include European portion only: Netherlands and two entities outside Europe ([[Aruba]] and the [[Netherlands Antilles]], in the [[Caribbean]]) constitute the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]]. [[Amsterdam]] is the official capital, while [[The Hague]] is the administrative seat.<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 41,526
| align="right" | 16,318,199
| align="right" | 393.0
| [[Amsterdam]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} [[Switzerland]]
| align="right" | 41,290
| align="right" | 7,301,994
| align="right" | 176.8
| [[Bern]]
|-
| colspan=5 style="background:#eee;" | '''[[Central Asia]]:'''
|-
| {{flagicon|Kazakhstan}} [[Kazakhstan]]<ref>[[Kazakhstan]] is sometimes considered a transcontinental country in Central Asia (UN region) and Eastern Europe, with European territory west of the Ural Mountains and both the [[Ural River|Ural]] and [[Emba]] rivers; area figures are for European portion out of total.<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 150,000
| align="right" | 600,000
| align="right" | 4.0
| [[Astana]]
|-
| colspan=5 style="background:#eee;" | '''[[Western Asia]]:'''<ref>[[Armenia]] and [[Cyprus]] are sometimes considered transcontinental countries: both are physiographically in [[Western Asia]] but have historical and sociopolitical connections with Europe.</ref>
|-
| {{flagicon|Azerbaijan}} [[Azerbaijan]]<ref>[[Azerbaijan]] is often considered a transcontinental country in Western Asia (UN region) and Eastern Europe; population and area figures are for European portion (north of the crest of the [[Caucasus Mountains|Caucasus]] and the [[Kura River]]) out of total. This excludes the [[exclave]] of [[Nakhichevan]] and [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] (a region that has declared, and ''[[de facto]]'' [[list of unrecognized countries|achieved]], independence; however, it is not recognised ''[[de jure]]'' by sovereign [[state]]s).<br /></ref>
| align="right" | 39,730
| align="right" | 4,198,491
| align="right" | 105.7
| [[Baku]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Georgia}} [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]<ref>[[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] is often considered a transcontinental country in Western Asia (UN region) and Eastern Europe; population and area figures are for European portion (north of the crest of the [[Caucasus Mountains|Caucasus]] and the [[Kura River]]) out of total. Also includes [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]], two regions that have declared, and ''[[de facto]]'' [[list of unrecognized countries|achieved]], independence; however, they are not recognised ''[[de jure]]'' by sovereign [[state]]s.</ref>
| align="right" | 49,240
| align="right" | 2,447,176
| align="right" | 49.7
| [[Tbilisi]]
|-
| {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Turkey]]<ref>[[Turkey]] is generally considered a transcontinental country in Western Asia (UN region) and Southern Europe: the region of [[Rumelia|Rumelia (Trakya)]] – which includes the provinces of [[Edirne Province|Edirne]], [[Kırklareli Province|Kırklareli]], [[Tekirdağ Province|Tekirdağ]], and the western parts of the [[Çanakkale Province|Çanakkale]] and [[Istanbul Province]]s – is west and north of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles; population and area figures are for European portion (including all of Istanbul) out of total population.</small><br /></ref>
| align="right" | 24,378 <!--{{editnote | NOTE: Do not alter this entry without discussion -- this entry exhibits the area for the portion of Turkey northwest of the Bosporus out of total area.-->
| align="right" | 11,044,932 <!--{{editnote | NOTE: Do not alter this entry without discussion -- this entry exhibits the population of the European portion of Turkey northwest of the Bosporus out of total population.-->
| align="right" | 453.1
| [[Ankara]]
|- style=" font-weight:bold; "
| Total
| align="right" | 10,176,246<ref>The total area figure includes only European portions of transcontinental countries.</ref>
| align="right" | 709,608,850<ref>The total population figure includes only European portions of transcontinental countries.</ref>
| align="right" | 69.7
|}
 
<br />
 
==Languages and cultures== <!-- The section needs to be edited and improved. -->
 
 
 
{{main|Languages of Europe}}
 
: ''See also: [[Eurolinguistics]]''
 
There are several linguistic groups widely recognised in Europe. These sometimes (but not always) coincide with cultural and historical connections between the various nations, though in other cases religion is considered a more significant distinguishing factor.
 
=== Romance languages ===
{{main|Latin Europe}}
 
[[Romance languages]] are spoken more or less in south-western Europe, as well as [[Romania]] and [[Moldova]] which are situated in [[Eastern Europe]]. This area consists of: [[Andorra]], [[Italy]], [[Portugal]], [[France]], [[Spain]], [[Romania]], [[Moldova]], French-speaking [[Belgium]] ([[Wallonia]], partly [[Brussels]]), [[French language|French]]-speaking Switzerland ([[Romandy]]), [[Romansh]]-speaking Switzerland, and [[Italian language|Italian]]-speaking Switzerland. All Romance languages are derived from the Roman language, [[Latin]].
 
=== Germanic languages ===
{{main|Germanic Europe}}
 
[[Germanic languages]] are spoken more or less in north-western Europe and some parts of [[central Europe]]. This region consists of: [[Norway]], [[Sweden]], [[Germany]], the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[Republic of Ireland]], [[Denmark]], the [[Netherlands]], Dutch-speaking [[Belgium]] ([[Flanders]], partly [[Brussels]] and the German-speaking areas of [[Wallonia]] ), [[Austria]], [[Liechtenstein]], most of [[Switzerland]], [[Iceland]] ,the [[Faroe Islands]], [[Luxembourg]], the [[Finland Swedish|Swedish-speaking]] [[municipalities of Finland]], and the [[Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Bozen]] in Italy.
 
=== Slavic languages ===
{{main|Slavic Europe}}
 
[[Slavic languages]] are spoken in Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. This area consists of: [[Belarus]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Croatia]], the [[Czech Republic]], regions of [[Free State of Saxony|Saxony]] and [[Brandenburg]] in [[Germany]]([[Sorbs]]), [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Montenegro]], [[Poland]], [[Russia]], [[Serbia]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]] and [[Ukraine]].
 
=== Uralic languages ===
 
The [[Uralic languages]] are divided into three main groups, two of which have representatives in Europe. The [[Finno-Permic languages]] are spoken in [[Finland]], [[Estonia]], and parts of [[Sweden]], [[Norway]], [[Latvia]], and European [[Russia]] while the [[Ugric languages]] are spoken in [[Hungary]] and parts of [[Romania]], [[Slovakia]], [[Serbia]], [[Ukraine]], and Siberian Russia. These two groups comprise the [[Finno-Ugric languages|Finno-Ugric]] branch of the Uralic language family.
 
=== Altaic 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 the [[Republic of Macedonia]], parts of [[Moldova]], parts of [[Russia]], parts of [[Ukraine]] and parts of the [[Caucasus]] and in [[Turkish diaspora]] communities in several other European countries (most notably [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Belgium]], and the [[Netherlands]]).
 
=== Baltic languages ===
 
[[Baltic languages]] are spoken in [[Lithuania]] and [[Latvia]].
[[Estonia]]'s national language is part of the [[Finno-Ugric languages|Finno-Ugric]] family even though it is a [[Baltic state]] geographically.
 
=== Celtic languages ===
{{main|Celtic Europe}}
 
"[[Celtic languages|Celtic language]]" was originally used only to describe the Scottish and Irish [[Gaelic language]]; however, the term now extends to the other [[Goidelic languages|Gaelic]] and [[Brythonic languages]]. [[Celtic Europe]] comprises those countries and regions where [[Celtic languages]] are spoken. The [[Celtic nations]] are: [[Scotland]] and [[Ireland]], [[Wales]], [[Cornwall]] (UK County), the [[Isle of Man]] (a [[Crown Dependency|British Crown dependency]]) and [[Brittany]] (a department in [[France]]). These are all nations where a [[Celtic Languages|Celtic language]] is spoken and share in Celtic organisations (see [[Pan Celticism]]).
 
Considered Celtic nations are [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] and [[Asturias]] (both autonomous communities of [[Spain]]), as well as northwest Portugal. Scotland, Ireland and Wales and Some regions of England (in addition to Cornwall) have retained a degree of Celtic influence in their regional dialects (see [[Cumbric]], [[Highland English]] and [[Hiberno-English]]), although [[Southwestern Brythonic|England's Celtic languages]] died out as recently as the 18th century in Devon and Cornwall.
 
=== Other languages ===
 
Outside of these six main linguistic groups one can find:
 
* The [[Ossetic language]], an [[Iranian language]] spoken in [[North Ossetia-Alania]] and [[South Ossetia]] (or [[Ossetia]], a region on the slopes of the [[Caucasus mountains]] on the borders of [[Russia]] and [[Georgia]]).
* The [[Armenian language]], an [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European language]] spoken around [[Eastern Europe]] with a variety of dialects.
* The [[Greek language]], an [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European language]] spoken in [[Greece]], [[Cyprus]], and parts of [[Turkey]], [[Albania]], and [[Italy]], and in [[Greek diaspora]] communities in several other European countries (most notably [[Germany]]).
* The [[Albanian language]], which, like the Greek language, forms its own independent branch of the Indo-European language family with no close living relatives. Major Albanian-speaking communities outside Albania live in Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Greece, Turkey, and southern Italy[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=aae].
* The [[North Caucasian languages|North Caucasian]], a group that includes ethnic groups throughout the [[Caucasus]] region (both North and South). North Caucasian languages are divided into two main branches: [[Northeast Caucasian]] and [[Northwest Caucasian]]. This group includes [[Abkhaz people|Abkhaz]], [[Chechens]], [[Ingush]], [[Bats people|Bats]], and a number of other smaller ethnic groups that reside in the [[Caucasus]].
* The [[South Caucasian languages|South Caucasian]], or Kartvelian languages, a group that includes the [[Georgian language]].
* The [[Maltese language]], a heavily [[Romance languages|Romanticized]] [[Semitic languages|Semitic]] language, is spoken in [[Malta]]. Unlike other Semitic languages, Maltese is written in the [[Roman alphabet]].
* The [[Basque language]] is spoken in the [[Basque Country (historical territory)|Basque Country]], i.e. parts of southern France and northern Spain.
* The [[Mongolic languages|Mongolic]] branch of the Altaic phylum is represented in Europe by the [[Kalmyk language]], which is spoken by the [[Kalmyk people]] in [[Kalmykia]], a constituent republic of the [[Russian Federation]].
 
== Religions ==
{{main|Religion in Europe}}
 
The most popular religions of Europe are the following:
 
* '''[[Christianity]]'''
** '''[[Roman Catholicism]]''': Countries or areas with significant Catholic populations are [[Albania]], [[Andorra]], [[Austria]], west [[Belarus]], [[Belgium]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Croatia]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[France]], south and west [[Germany]], [[Hungary]], [[Northern Ireland]], the [[Republic of Ireland]], [[Italy]], [[Latgale]] region in [[Latvia]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Lithuania]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Malta]], [[Monaco]], south [[Netherlands]], [[Poland]], [[Portugal]], [[Romania]], [[San Marino]], [[Serbia]], [[Slovakia]], [[Slovenia]], [[Spain]], central and south [[Switzerland]], and [[Vatican City]]. There are also large Catholic minorities in [[Great Britain]]: [[England]], [[Scotland]], [[Wales]] and most European countries.
** '''[[Eastern Rite Catholic Churches|Eastern-Rite Catholicism]]''': including west [[Ukraine]], the "[[Uniates]]" or minority churches follow its version of Catholicism in [[Bulgaria]], [[Hungary]], [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Romania]], [[Serbia]] and [[Slovakia]], and the so-called "[[Greek Catholic]]" sects of southern [[Italy]] ([[Sardinia]] and [[Sicily]]) and [[Corsica]], [[France]].
** '''[[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox Christianity]]''': The countries with significant Orthodox populations are [[Greece]], [[Russia]], [[Belarus]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Moldova]], [[Montenegro]], [[Armenia]], [[Serbia]], [[Ukraine]], [[Romania]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Cyprus]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], easternmost [[Hungary]], a small minority in Southern [[Italy]], [[Kazakhstan]], sizable minorities in [[Albania]], [[Latvia]] and [[Lithuania]], small minority in [[Poland]], [[Finland]] ([[Karelia]]), A relatively small minority in the European part of [[Turkey]] belong to the [[Greek Orthodox]] church. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
** '''[[Protestantism]]''': Countries with significant Protestant populations include [[Denmark]], [[Estonia]], [[Finland]], north and east [[Germany]], [[Iceland]], [[Latvia]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Sweden]]; east, north and west [[Switzerland]]; and the [[United Kingdom]]. There are significant minorities in [[France]], the [[Czech Republic]], [[Hungary]], and the [[Republic of Ireland]]. Smaller Protestant churches and their missionary work are found in [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[Czech Republic]], [[Lithuania]], [[Poland]], [[Russia]], [[Serbia]], [[Slovakia]] and [[Ukraine]]. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
* '''[[Islam]]''': Countries with significant Muslim population are [[Albania]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Republic of Macedonia|Macedonia]], [[Montenegro]], several republics of [[Russia]], [[Serbia]] (especially in [[Kosovo]]), [[Turkey]], [[Crimea]] in [[Ukraine]]. Also, [[as of 2005]], about 5% of EU residents identify themselves as Muslims.
Other religions are practised by smaller groups in Europe, including:
 
* '''[[Judaism]]''', mainly in [[France]], [[Germany]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Russia]] and [[Turkey]]. Judaism is said to have made a minor comeback in the [[Czech Republic]], [[Hungary]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Poland]] and [[Slovakia]] in recent years. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
* '''[[Hinduism]]''', mainly among [[India]]n immigrants in the [[United Kingdom]], an estimated 500,000 Hindu adherents in Europe alone. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
* '''[[Buddhism]]''', thinly spread throughout western Europe, and in [[Kalmykia]], [[Russia]] by the Kalmuks of Asiatic origin. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}
* Indigenous European '''[[Polytheistic reconstructionism|pagan]]''' traditions and beliefs, many countries (a fast-growing neopagan movement in [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Ireland]] and United Kingdom is noted), and one neopagan faith [[Asatru]] recognized as a minority religion in [[Iceland]] (since 1973), [[Norway]] and [[Sweden]].
* '''[[Rastafari]]''', communities in the [[United Kingdom]], France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and elsewhere.
* '''[[Sikhism]]''' and '''[[Jainism]]''', small membership rolls, both mainly among Indian immigrants in the [[United Kingdom]].
* '''[[Voodoo]]''', mainly among [[blacks|black]] [[Caribbean]] and [[West African]] immigrants in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[France]].
* '''[[African religions|Traditional African Religions]]''' (including [[Muti]]), mainly in the [[United Kingdom]] and [[France]].
* '''Other religions''' with few (or under a million) adherents in Europe: [[Animism]], [[Christian Scientists]], [[Cosmotheism]], [[Deitism]], [[ecology|Eco-religion]], [[Gnosticism]], [[heathenry|Heathen Paganism]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], [[Mennonites]], [[Moravian church]], [[Mormonism]] or [[Latter-day Saints]], [[Pantheism]], [[Polytheism]], theological [[relativism]], [[Scientology]], [[Seventh-day Adventists]], [[Universal Life Church]], [[Unitarians]], [[Wiccan]]/[[Magic (paranormal)|magic]] [[sorcery]], and [[Zoroastrianism]]. {{Fact|date=February 2007}} <!--this is for real!-->
 
Millions of Europeans profess no religion or are atheist or agnostic. The largest non-confessional populations (as a percentage) are found in the [[Czech Republic]], [[Denmark]], [[Estonia]], [[France]], [[Germany]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Norway]], [[Sweden]] and the former soviet countries of [[Belarus]], [[Russia]] and [[Ukraine]], although most former [[communist]] countries have significant non-confessional populations.
 
=== Decline/Increase ===
 
Although, it seems that religious attendance appears to be declining in many western-European countries, in the past year in the United Kingdom especially Christianity has seen a boom with an increase of 5% regularly going to church and about 45 million people across Britain attending on main Festivals and Masses such as Christmas Day, Easter Sunday, Good Friday etc. This has also had a ricochet affect on business with many retail outlets closing on Sundays. This has made the pendulum swing from the recent decrease in religion as an important part of life and is re-creating itself once more in Britain, partly because it was seen as unfair to non-Christians, however this has changed due to the recent process of abandoning the policy of [[Multiculturalism]].
 
=== Official religions ===
 
A number of countries in Europe have [[official religion]]s, including [[Liechtenstein]], [[Malta]], [[Monaco]], [[Vatican City]] (Catholic), [[Greece]] (Eastern Orthodox); [[Denmark]], [[Iceland]], and [[Norway]] (Lutheran). In [[Switzerland]], some [[Cantons of Switzerland|cantons]] are officially Catholic, others Reformed Protestant. Some Swiss villages even have their religion as well as the village name written on the signs at their entrances.
 
[[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] has no established church, but the [[Georgian Orthodox Church]] enjoys "''de facto''" privileged status. In [[Finland]], both [[Finnish Orthodox Church]] and [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Lutheran church]] are official. [[England]], a part of the [[UK]], has [[Anglicanism]] as its official religion. [[Scotland]], another part of the UK, has Presbyterianism as the 'National' church, but is no longer "official", and in [[Sweden]], the 'National' church is [[Lutheran]], but no longer "official". [[Azerbaijan]], [[France]], [[Portugal]], [[Romania]], and [[Turkey]] are officially "secular".
 
== See also ==
{{wiktionary|Europe}}
 
* [[Continent]]
* [[Eurasia]]
* [[Culture of Europe]]
* [[Economy of Europe]]
* [[Eurolinguistics]]
* [[List of extinct animals of Europe|Extinct animals of Europe]]
* [[Geography of Europe]]
* [[Prehistoric Europe]]
* [[History of Europe]]
* [[Council of Europe]]
* [[OSCE]]
* [[UNECE]]
* [[The European miracle]]
* [[Politics of Europe]]
* [[Transport in Europe]]
* [[Eurozone]]
* [[European Union]]
* [[Visegrad Group]]
* [[Superpower#European Union controversy|Europe as a potential superpower]]
* [[Euroregion]]
* [[European American]]
* [[European Capitals]]
* [[Anti-Europeanism]]
* [[Euroscepticism]]
 
=== Lists and tables ===
==== General ====
* [[Flags of Europe]]
* [[Demographics of Europe#Population of European countries|Table of European territories and regions]]
 
==== Demographics ====
* [[Area and population of European countries]]
* [[European Union Statistics]]
* [[Largest European metropolitan areas|The most populous metropolitan areas in Europe]]
* [[Largest urban areas of the European Union|The most populous urban areas of the European Union]]
* [[Largest cities of the European Union by population within city limits]]
==== Economy ====
[[চিত্ৰ:City of London Skyline.jpg|thumb|400px|A view of the [[City of London]] and [[Canary Wharf]]. [[London]], [[UK]] is the largest financial centre in Europe, it handled 31% of [[World currency|global currency]] transactions [[As of 2005|in 2005]] — an average daily turnover of [[United States dollar|US$]]753 billion — with more [[US dollars]] traded in London than [[New York City]], and more [[Euros]] traded than in every other city in Europe combined.{{Fact|date=February 2007}}]]
* [[Economy of the European Union]]
* [[Financial and social rankings of European countries]]
* [[List of European countries by GDP|GDP of European Countries]]
 
==== Political ====
* [[Names of European cities in different languages|Alternative names of European cities]]
* [[Date of independence of European countries]]
* [[International Organisations in Europe]] (table of membership)
==== Geography ====
* [[List of European countries in order of geographical area]]
==== Other ====
* [[List of Europe-related topics]]
 
== Notes ==
 
<div class="references-small">
Line 648 ⟶ 28:
</div>
 
== বাহ্যিক সংযোগ ==
== External links ==
{{portal}}
 
Line 671 ⟶ 51:
* [http://www.map.go.it/ Historical Maps of Europe]
 
 
{{Europefooter}}
{{Continents of the world}}
{{Regions of the world}}
 
[[Category:মহাদেশ]]
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