Facts About Europe

Europe is the 6th largest continent, including adjacent islands. It is actually a vast peninsula of the great Eurasian land mass. By convention, it is separated from Asia by the Urals and the Ural River in the east; by the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus in the southeast; and by the Black Sea, the Bosporus, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles in the south. The Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar separate it from Africa. Europe is washed in the north by the Arctic Ocean, and in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, with which the North Sea and the Baltic Sea are connected.

Climate : The climate of Europe varies from subtropical to polar. The Mediterranean climate of the south is dry and warm. The western and northwestern parts have a mild, generally humid climate, influenced by the North Atlantic Drift. In central and eastern Europe the climate is of the humid continental-type with cool summers. In the northeast subarctic and tundra climates are found. All of Europe is subject to the moderating influence of prevailing westerly winds from the Atlantic Ocean and, consequently, its climates are found at higher latitudes than similar climates on other continents.

Regions : Europe can be divided into five geographic regions: Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland); the British Isles (United Kingdom and Ireland); W Europe (the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Monaco); S Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Malta, Andorra, San Marino, and Vatican City); Central Europe (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Germany); SE Europe (Greece, Albania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Macedonia, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria, and the European part of Turkey); E Europe (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and the European portion of Russia); and by convention the Transcaucasian countries of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Historically, the continent of Europe has been a dominant force in world development. Starting in the late 1980s world attention again focused on the region, as Communism crumbled and Western Europe's economic and monetary union took shape. This next-to-smallest continent possesses a large, ethnically diverse, and highly productive population. The continent consists of 40 independent countries, including five small monarchies, principalities, and duchies.

Europeans and their ideas have penetrated into every corner of the Earth. This influence has been expressed through the development of empires, the widespread distribution of European peoples and their cultures, and the adoption and adaptation of European political, economic, and social innovations throughout the world. The democratic form of government and modern, technological, industrial development both originated in the countries of Western Europe and have had a major influence on the rest of the world.

• Amsterdam: Visit the royal Palace, the National Monument, the skinny bridge, the Albert Cuyp market and the beautiful houses along the canals. Not to be forgotten, a visit to a windmill, and a stop at a diamond factory.
• London: England's capital city, London, brims with culture and is filled with artistic and architectural triumphs. It is a bustling, growing and varied metropolis with magical museums, great galleries, gourmet restaurants, clubs, nightlife and a diverse range of outstanding theater and music
• Paris: Paris would have to be the most romantic city in the world. Visit such landmarks as the Eiffel Tower, the Musée du Louvre and the Champs Elysees.
• Nice: Discover the history and the treasures of Nice and experience historical places such as the Russian Church, the Matisse Museum, the Flower Markets, the Amphitheater of Cimiez, the Franciscan Monastery, the Promenade des Anglais, Massena, Garibaldi districts and much more!
• Barcelona: Set between the mountains and the sea, the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia is a rare and very popular city.
• Venice: Combine a visit to St Mark´s Square and its monuments with a walk through the quiet and captivating Castello district, where you´ll quickly discover that Venice is an open-air museum where legends, historical events and beautiful Palazzi seem to appear at every step
• Florence: Florence is famous for her glorious artwork, her cultural heritage, and the major role she played in the Renaissance and Humanist movements.
• Rome: Visit the city of Rome and experience the amazing history it has to offer. Admire the architecture and soak up the culture as you explore the city at your own pace, there is so much to see
• Stockholm: The Old Town is probably the most popular place in Stockholm and here you can experience a lot
• Copenhagen: Copenhagen is a city built on a human scale, and it's shoe leather rather than taxi or subway that pays the way.
• Oslo: Oslo offers some 50 museums and many art galleries. Amongst the internationally known attractions are: the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Viking Ship Museum, the Munch Museum and Holmenkollen.
• Prague: Prague is the capital city of Czech Republic. Situated in the valley of the Moldau River, Prague is dominated by the castle perched on the Western bluffs.
• Gdansk: Gdansk is a town with a storyline of greatness. Bombed to ruins during WWII, the old city centre has been restored and presents Hanseatic architecture at it´s finest.
• Athens: See the best places in Athens! Spend your morning visiting famous places such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Royal Palace, Panathenian Stadium, The Temple of Olympian Zeus, The Acropolis, Thesseum Greek Orthodox Cathedral and much, much more!
• Crete: Crete offers an unlimited amount of activities from swimming, snorkeling, to trekking, climbing, and bicycling.
• Berlin: Visitors can enjoy three opera houses, two great concert halls and 35 theatres, plus cabarets, musicals and revues.

	Web http://www.hqtravel.com