THE Europe with an area of 10,180,000 km2 (3,930,000 sq miles), extends from Asia to the Atlantic and from Africa to the Arctic. European countries receive more than 480 million international visitors per year, more than half of the world market, and 7 of the 10 most visited countries are European. A well-preserved cultural heritage, open borders and efficient infrastructure make visiting Europe a toy. With a few hours of travel the visitor discovers a new culture, with different and varied challenges. Although it is the second smallest continent in the world on the surface of the earth, there are profound differences between cultures and lifestyles in different countries.
Areas
Europe consists of a set of different countries, which have their own identity, language and culture:
| Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatian, Kosovo, Northern Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia) The Balkans have a rich history, though often turbulent, with wonderful nature, charming multicultural cities, impressive monasteries and temples high mountains, sprinkled with beautiful forests and lakes. |
| Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) Three fascinating states with long beaches along an extensive coastline, with medieval cities, and beautiful natural landscape. THE Estonia has linguistic and cultural ties with Finland. |
| Benelux (Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands) These flat geographical states have a lot to offer the traveler. The Netherlands is known for its cheese, tulips and windmills, as well as for its painters. The Belgium is a multilingual country with beautiful historic cities, bordering on Luxembourg along the hills of the Ardennes. |
| Britain and Ireland (Guernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, United Kingdom) Britain is a patchwork of different indigenous and foreign cultures, it has a fascinating history and a dynamic modern culture, which has a significant influence on the wider world. THE Ireland It has extremely alternating landscapes, characteristic customs that originate from the once state Celtic culture, a wealth of traditions and extensive folklore. |
| Caucasus (Armenia, Agriculture and Azerbaijan) The Caucasus is a mountain range between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. It is considered part of the natural border between Europe and Asia. THE Caucasus is a densely populated area, with a warm, friendly environment and generally safe travel. There are extremely alternating landscapes and an exceptional wealth of ancient churches, cathedrals and monasteries. |
| Central Europe (Austria, Czech republic, Germany, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland) Bridging East and West, the countries of Central Europe are the region where German culture meets Slavic culture. The whole area is full of historic cities, fairytale castles, beer, forests, pristine farmland and abundant mountain ranges, including the high Alps. |
| France and Monaco The most popular tourist destination in the world and geographically one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Some of the tourist attractions include the Paris, the French Riviera, the beaches of the Atlantic, the winter sports resorts of Alps, the castles of the Loire Valley, of Βρετάνης and her Normandy, as well as its rural landscape Provence. The country is also known for its gastronomy (especially wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion. |
| Hellas, Cyprus and Turkey The countries with the most sunshine in Europe, paradises for those who love the sun, the sea, entertainment and culture. |
| Iberia (Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal, Spain) The countries of the Iberian Peninsula are great destinations for their rich and unique cultures, vibrant cities, beautiful countryside and friendly inhabitants. |
| Italian peninsula (Italy, Malta, San Marino, Vatican City) THE Rome, the Florence, the Venice and the Pisa is on the schedule of several travelers and travelers. However, these cities are just a few of the destinations in Italy. THE Italy has a long history and a deeply rooted culture. |
| Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine THE Russia is a country with vast desert areas that stretch all the way east to the Pacific Ocean. THE Ukraine is a diverse country that has a lot to offer, from the seaside resorts of the Black Sea to the beautiful cities Odessa, Λβιβ and Kiev. North of Of Ukraine extends the Belarus. |
| Scandinavia (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden) Spectacular landscapes full of mountains, lakes, glaciers, geysers, waterfalls and volcanoes. THE Finland is culturally distinct, as its language does not belong to the Scandinavian language family. |
Politically some countries are members The European Union, a supranational and intergovernmental union aimed at integrating the members of Europe into a common political context.
However, Europe is a politically, socially and culturally diverse region, and different countries have differing views on whether to join such an association - some of them have no intention of joining. Europe's eastern borders are relatively indeterminate. Parts of it Russia, της Turkey and the Caucasus are sometimes considered part of it Asia for cultures, historical and geographical reasons.
Cities
- Athena —The city with the mythical past and the colorful present
- Amsterdam - canals, Rembrandt, hashish and red lights, the focus of the liberal stance
- Barcelona - Gaudi's cosmopolitan house on the Mediterranean coast
- Berlin —The capital of reunited Germany since 1990. It was violently segregated for 45 years during the Cold War and became an international cultural center and area of rapid development after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- Thessaloniki - the bride of Thermaikos
- Constantinople - the only large city spanning two continents, a fascinating melting pot of East and West
- London - the vibrant, vibrant and truly multicultural capital of Britain
- Moscow - Europe's largest city, famous for its nightlife and iconic Kremlin
- Paris - the capital of love (and France) on the banks of the Seine
- Prague - magical city with the famous bridges of the river Vltava
- Rome - the eternal seven-story city with two thousand seven hundred years of history
Other destinations
- Mount Athos - Mount Athos is an autonomous part of Greece with many monasteries
- Alps Very popular mountain range for skiing / snowboarding and mountaineering, with White Mountain as the highest peak
- Blue Lagoon - amazing geothermal spa with water temperature around 40 ° C all year round, even in cold conditions
- Alhambra - partly fortress, partly palace, partly garden and place of government, a stunning medieval town in Granada
- Biatovietza National Park - the last and largest remnants of the vast primordial forest that once spread throughout the European plain
- Plitvice National Park - beautiful turquoise lakes, surrounded by a large forest complex
- Meteora - six orthodox monasteries, built on high rocks of natural sandstone
- Stonehenge - the famous Neolithic megalithic monument located in the Salisbury Plain
- Chinkue Terre - a beautiful national park, connecting five picturesque villages
Countries
Europe is a continent with very different countries. Most countries are either in European Union, or in the process of joining it.
Not all European Union countries have adopted it euro (€), the European currency, while some countries outside the European Union have adopted it. Similarly, most but not all countries of the European Union have joined Schengen area, which abolishes the borders between them.
Here is a status information board:
| Country | Symbol | Coin | EU member | Future Schengen | Time zone ³ | Eurail | InterRail |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Albania | AL, .al | ALL | no | no | CET | no | no |
 Andorra | AND, .ad | EUR | no | no5 | CET | no | no |
 Armenia | ARM, .am | AMD | no | no | 4 | no | no |
 Austria | A, .at | EUR | 1995 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Belarus | BY, .by | BYR | no | no | EET | no | no |
 Belgium | B, .be | EUR | 1958 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Bosnia and Herzegovina | BIH, .ba | BAM | no | no | CET | no | Yes |
 Bulgaria | BG, .bg | BGN | 2007 | no | EET | Yes | Yes |
 Croatian | HR, .hr | HRK | 2013 | no | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Cyprus | CY, .cy | EUR | 2004 | no | CET | no | no |
 Czech republic | CZ, .cz | CZK | 2004 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Denmark | DK, .dk | DKK | 1973 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Estonia | EST, .ee | EUR | 2004 | Yes | EET | no | no |
 Finland | FIN, .fi | EUR | 1995 | Yes | EET | Yes | Yes |
 France | F, .fr | EUR | 1958 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Germany | D, .de | EUR | 1958 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Hellas | GR, .gr | EUR | 1981 | Yes | EET | Yes | Yes |
 Hungary | H, .hu | HUF | 2004 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Iceland | IS, .is | ISK | no | Yes | WET | no | no |
 Ireland | IRL, .ie | EUR | 1973 | no | WET | Yes | Yes |
 Italy | I, .it | EUR | 1958 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Latvia | LV, .lv | EUR | 2004 | Yes | EET | no | no |
 Liechtenstein | FL, .li | CHF | no | Yes | CET | no | no |
 Lithuania | LT, .lt | LTL | 2004 | Yes | EET | no | no |
 Luxembourg | L, .lu | EUR | 1958 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Macedonia | MK, .mk | MKD | no¹ | no | CET | no | Yes |
 Malta | M, .mt | EUR | 2004 | Yes | CET | no | no |
 Moldova | MD, .md | MDL | no | no | EET | no | no |
 Monaco | MC, .mc | EUR | no | no5 | CET | no | no |
 Montenegro | MNE, .me (.yu) | EUR | no ¹ | no | CET | no7 | Yes |
 Netherlands | NL, .nl | EUR | 1958 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Norway | N, .no | NOK | no | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Poland | PL, .pl | PLN | 2004 | Yes | CET | no7 | Yes |
 Portugal | P, .pt | EUR | 1986 | Yes | WET | Yes | Yes |
 Romania | RO, .ro | RON | 2007 | no | EET | Yes | Yes |
 Russia | RU, .ru (.su) | RUB | no | no | MSK4 | no | no |
 San Marino | RSM, .sm | EUR | no | no5 | CET | no | no |
 Serbia | SRB, .rs (.yu) | SDR2 | no1 | no | CET | no7 | Yes |
 Slovakia | SK, .sk | EUR | 2004 | Yes | CET | no | Yes |
 Slovenia | SLO, .si | EUR | 2004 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Spain | E, .es | EUR | 1986 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Sweden | S, .se | SEK | 1995 | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Switzerland | CH, .ch | CHF | no | Yes | CET | Yes | Yes |
 Turkey | TR, .tr | TRY | no ¹ | no | EET | no | Yes |
 Ukraine | UA, .ua | UAH | no | no | EET | no | no |
 United Kingdom | GB, .uk | GBP | 1973 | no | WET | no | Yes |
 Vatican | V, .va | EUR | no | no5 | CET | no | no |
2 Official candidate countries.
3 Winter time. The summer (last Sunday of March until the Saturday before the last Sunday of October): WET → WEST (UTC 0 → 1), CET AND CEST ( 1 → 2), EET → EEST ( 2 → 3)
4 Russia has multiple time zones. EET in Kaliningrad, MSK (UTC 4) in Moscow, and up to UTC 12 in Chukotka and Kamchatka.
5 It is not officially open in the Schengen area, but Schengen visa holders are generally allowed to enter.
6 Independent, claimed by Serbia.
7 Some EuRail passes include these countries (only the Germany-Poland pass includes Poland), but the general pass for 21 countries does not include includes.
