Europe Countries - Travel, Pictures, Maps

Charles Bridge over the Vltava River, in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. The city centre preserves many historic buildings from 18th-century, including Baroque palaces, Gothic and Renaissance houses. Prague, located at the heart of Europe, is the main Czech economic and cultural center. More: Czech Republic►

Greek Temple ruins in Agrigento, Sicily. Italy►

Alte Oper Frankfurt (opera house), in Frankfurt, Germany. The original building, in Italian Renaissance style, was opened by Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1880. It was destroyed in 1944, during WW2. In the late 1970s, it was completely rebuilt. Today, it is used as a conference hall. Germany►

Geiranger Fjord - Norway. Natural beauty with waterfalls, mountains and deep blue waters. It's Norway's most beautiful fjord. See Scandinavia Pictures►

The name Europe is probably derived from Europa, mother of the legendary King Minos in Greek mythology.

Europe is the cradle of the Occidental Civilization and the stage of scientific and cultural revolutions. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Europe was the most powerful region of the world.

Europe's population is superior to 822 million inhabitants and includes a large number of ethnic groups. The average annual growth rate for the European population, from 1985 to 1995, was only 0.28%, the least of all continents.

The continent shelters the second biggest economic block of the Planet: the European Union, formed by 27 countries and about half billion people. Most countries adopt the same currency: the euro.