A

• Albania is a new democracy and formerly under communist Special attractions include museums, mosques, palaces, Roman ampitheaters, and baths.

• ANDORRA is located on the mountainous Ierian Peninsua and has no income tax. Special ttractions include an Ice Palace, museums, and skiing. It is famous for duty-free shopping

• There are many ARCHAEOLOGY projects in Europe including underwater projects. Most countries have webpages about archaeology in their country. The Museu de Mallorca has archaeological finds. The Archeology Museum in the Ukraine has artifacts from early Black Sea civilizations. The fossils of dinosaurs have been found in many European countries. A relative of Tyrannasaurs Rex was recently found on the Isle of Wright in the UK.

• AUSTRIA is landlocked and 75% mountainous Special attractions include palaces, museums, skiing, a National Park, 4 famous saltmines, and The Eisriesenwalt Caves which are the largest accesible ice caves in the world.

B

• BELARUS maintains closer political and economic ties with Russia than other former Soviet Republics. Special attractions include museums, cathedrals, churches, and a Nature Reserve.

• BELGIUM is the crossroads of Western Europe and the seat of NATO and the European Union. Special attractions include a palace, museums, churches, and a Zoo. It is famous for poem In Flanders Fields.

• BOSNIA is formerly part of Yugoslavia and is an emerging democracy. Special Attractions include a Medieval walled city.

• BULGARIA is involved in reforms and democratization leading it toward integration into the European Union and Nato. Special Attractions include cathedrals, monasteries, museums, skiing, and ancient churches.

• There are over 800 species of BIRDS in Europe and hundreds of Birding Organizations. Many European countries have a National BIRD, and some countries have a Bird of the Year.

• CROATIA is located at the crossroad between Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Special Attractions include The Museum Mima which is one of the finest art galleries in Europe.

• CZECH REPUBLIC is located exactly on the border of Eastern and Western Europe which influenced its culture. Special attractions include the famous curative waters at Karlovy Vary.

• CYPRUS is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Special attractions include museums, cathedrals, palaces, monasteries, mosques, tombs, mosaics, castles, and Othelo's Tower. Feline remains at a human burial site suggests that people and cats were living together as long as 9,500 years ago.

• The Euro, a new form of CURRENCY, was introduced in 2002 and is used by several European countries.

D

• There are over 6,000 DAMS in Europe. Over half of them are used to generate electricity and many of them are hydroelectric . Many of the dams in Europe are reaching the end of their life. The dams are used for many purposes including irrigation, power, and flood control. The use of dams on rivers and the environment is being evaluated.

• DENMARK is located on a peninsula and includes The Faroe Islands . Special attractions include the oldest amusement park in Europe - Tivoli Gardens and Legoland which is a theme park built from lego blocks. A Santa Claus Congress is held in Denmark every July.

E

• EARTHQUAKES are felt throughout Europe. There are many observatories that monitor seismic activity. In 2002 an earthquake severaly damaged the medieval village of San Giulano di Puglia.

• ESTONIA was formerly part of the Soviet Union and economic restructuring is underway. Special attractions include Peter the Great Home Museum, castles, and botanical Reserve. It is famous for its bogs.

• Twenty-seven countries in Europe belong to the EUROPEAN UNION. The EU has its own flag and the motto is "United in Diversity". The national anthem is Ode to Joy from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. May 9 is Europe Day.

F

• The FAROE ISLANDS are in the Northern part of Europe and are self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Special attractions include museums, cathedrals, churches, and a lighthouse.

• FINLAND has thousands of lakes and is known as the "land of the thousand lakes". Special attractions include Turku Castel, archipalago islands, and 29 national parks. The country has several National Nature Symbols. Finnish women were first in world to vote in elections and hold national office.

• FRANCE is the largest country in Western Europe. Special attractions museums, and historic sites. The Eiffel Tower is one of the Modern Wonders of the World. Mont Saint Michel is one of the Forgotten Wonders of the World, & the Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval Mind. One of the biggest airshow in the world is held in Paris. The Valley of Marvels has petroglyphs dating from 1800 B.C. The Niaux grottos are considered to be the finest cave paintings open the the public.

• Each country in Europe has its own FLAG.

• Many FLOWERS are native to Europe including shasta daisies, sweet alyssum,shirley poppy, and several species of orchids. Hundreds of species of wildflowers grow in Europe. Wild bulbs are collected in Turkey and Georgia. Europe has had Formal gardens for thousands of years. Many countries have a National FLOWER. Eighty percent of world's rose oil comes from the Valley of Roses in Bulgaria. European pea tlands are most extensive in Finland, Sweden, and Norway.

G

• GEORGIA(Capital Tbilisi) was formerly part of the Soviet Union. Special attactions include historical monuments, an opera house, a fortress, Temples, Health Resorts, National Parks, Caves, Botanical Gardens, and Archeological finds dating to the Bronze Age. Georgia has its own language, alphabet and culture. New fossils found in the country may be the first human ancestors out of Africa

• GERMANY has more castles per square mile than any other European country. Special attractions include the town of Lubeck which is on the World Heritage List, the Iris Dome in Hanover which is the largest complete unfolding structure in the world, and Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria which was themodel for the castle in Disneyland, USA.

• GIBRALTER is at the southern tip of Spain and is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. Special attractions include a museum, cave,lighthouse, mosque, nature reserve, and tunnels.

• The GLOBAL POSITION of Europe is approximately 78 degrees north to 35 degrees south longitude and 74 degrees east and 9 degrees west longitude. Landforms include mountains, plateaus, and plains. The highest points are Mt. Elbrus in the Caucacus Mts. and Mount Blanc in the French Alps. The lowest point is the Caspian Sea surface.

• GREECE is considered the birthplace of European democracy. It is the most southern country in Europe and has many islands. Special attractions include the Meteora monastic convent which has been inhabited since the 1300s and is on the World Heritage List, and The Parthenon which is one of the Forgotten Wonders of the World.

• Each country in Europe has its own form of GOVER NMENT. Many countries belong to International Organizations.

• GUERNSEY is an island in the English Channel and a British Crown dependency. Special attractions include an aquarium, Freesia Centre, and a Rail Exhibition.

H

• HERZEGOVINA is part of Bosnia/Herzegovina. Special Attractions include mosques, jarkets, an old Turkish bazaar, and a Medieval walled city.

• HUNGARY is landlocked and is straegic location between Western Europe and the Balkan Peninsula. Special attractions include a valuable library and Pannonhalma Abbey which is a World Heritage Site.

I

• ICELAND is the most sparsely populated country and has the oldest parliagment in the worl. The capital of Reykjabik is the most northern capital in the world. Special attractions include museums, churches, historical sites, hot springs, ice caves, and a national park. Kiek o the Whale now lives in Iceland.

• Europe has many ISLANDS. The largest Island is Great Britain. The smallest island is Hinnoya, which is the largest island of the Vesterelen archepilago in northern Norway. The continent also has archepelogros.
• IRELAND is an island in nothwestern Europe. Special attractions include cathedrals, castles, museums, and the famous Book of Kells. Northern Ireland occupies one-sixth of Ireland and is part of the United Kingdom. The rest of Ireland is known as the Republic of Ireland and is called Eire.

• ITALY is located on a peninsula and includes the Aeolian Isles, Sardinia and Sicily. Special attractions include museums, palaces, churches, basilicas, and historical sites. The Colosseum is one of the Forgotten Wonders of the World and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Every year the Tower of Pisa leans a little bit more.

J

• JAZZ is popular in Europe, and many countries have JAZZ Festivals.

• JERSEY is an island in the English Channel and a British crown dependency. Special attractions include museums, parks, churches, gardens, a castle, and a lighthouse.

K

• KILOMETERS is the method used to measure distances in Europe. The metric system is used for most measurements.

• Several countries have a KING including B elgium, Norway, Spain, and Sw eden. Some countries have a Princely or Grand-Ducal Family including Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Luxembourg

L

• Europe has 13 principal LAKES. The largest is Lake Ladoga in Russia. The smallest is Lake Oulujarvi in Finland. LakeNet is an organization that is helping protect lakes from pollution, biodiversity, and decline in water level. Some lakes have a webcam

• LATVIA became independent following the breakup of the Soviet Union and is working towards integration into Western Europe. Special attractions include castles, caves, gardens, museums, and a fortress.

• LIECHTENSTEIN is a hereditary consitutional monarchy and the ruling prince lives in a castle. Special attractions include castles, museums, and ski resorts. Low taxes in this country spurs economic growth.

• LITHUANIA is the largest Baltic country and has a pencil thin sandbar. Special attractions include a botanical park, museums, minerals springs, and winter sports.
• LUXEMBOURG is a constitutional monarcy. It is a landlocked and is the smallest but richest country in the European Union and famous for its banks. Special attractions include palaces, castles, caves, and a fortress.

• Each country has its own LANGUAGE. The English language is taught in many countries. In Russia Cyrillac is the compulsory alphabet. Many languages in Europe are considered extinct or endangered. The European Union has 11 official languages and more are being added but English has emerged as the main working language. Papua New Guinea, part of the British Commonwealth, has more languages than any other country.

M

• MACEDONIA was the former Yugoslav Republic. Special attractions include The Daud Pash Baths which date back to 1466, Lake Ohrid which is one of the deepest and oldest lakes in Europe, and the ruins of Hercula which were founded in the 4th century B.C.

• MALLORCA is the largest of several Balearic Islands. Special attractions include caves and many underground lakes. . The Museu de Mallorca has archaeological finds.

• MALTA is a major freight transshipment point. Special attractions include some of the oldest structures in the world and prehistoric temples tjat are a Unesco World Heritage site. .

• MOLDOVA was formerly part of the Soviet Union.Special attractions include art and history museums.

• MONACO is a principality and the most crowded country in Europe. Special attractions include the Formula One Grand Prix, international festivals, and a world famous Casino. The Royal Palace has been in existence since the 13th century.

• MONTENEGRO was formerly part of Yugoslavia and is a joint independent state with Serbia. Special attractions include a churches, museums, muslim tombs, palaces, a citadel, and a national park.

• Europe has over 2 dozen principal MOUNTAINS and mountain forests. Some mountain areas are popular for montaineering. The Jura Mountain range is named for the Jurassic Age.

• The music in Europe differs greatly from one country to another. The ba gpipes is one instrument that is common to almost all European nations and have become symbolic of the continent. Another popular instrument is the accordion and is exclusive to many traditional cultures. The European Music Council is involved in fields of music from all European countries.

N

• The NETHERLANDS is a heriditary monarchy and is also know as Hollands. Special attractions include 5 islands that are bird-feeding grounds and vacation spots, national parks, and windmills. Rotterdam is one of the busiest ports in the world.

• NORWAY is a Constitutional monarchy and includes Jan Mayen, and Svalbard Islands. Special attractions include jiords, spectacular waterfalls, and Akershus Fortress and Castle which were built around 1300.

• The European Union has a NATIONAL ANTHEM, and most of the countries in Europe have a National Anthem. The oldest song purported to be a National Anthem is the "Wilhelmus" from the Netherlands.

• Most countries in Europe have NATIONAL PARKS. Bieszczady National Park in Poland is the largest Mountain National Park in Europe.

O

OBSERVATORIES are located throughout Europe. Many countries have observatories that monitor the weather, geological conditions, astronomy, and space.
• Europe is bordered to the west by the Atlantic OCEAN. Many countries in Europe have Oceanography programs. Information about why the ocean is Salty.

P

• POLAND was formerly a Soviet satellite and is expected to join the European Union. Special attractions include well-preserved Medieval towns. Warsaw is the cultural and industrial of this country. Torun is the birthplace of Copernicus.

• PORTUGAL includes the Azores and Madeira Islands. Special attractions include castles, palaces, historic sites, museums, gardens, nd a national park.

Q

• Several countries have a QUEEN including Denmark, Netherlands, and United Kingdom

• Take a QUIZ about Europe. Take a quiz about football teamsin Europe. Take a trivia quiz about Europe.

R

• ROMANIA. Special Attractions include museums, churches, castles, and monasteries. The constitution of this country is based on France's Fifth Republic
  The country is famous for the Legend of Dracula

• Some countries in Europe have ROYAL Non-Reigning Families.

• Europe has many RIVERS. They are often used as boundaries between countries. Other uses for the rivers include agricultural irrigation, industry, transportation, and recreation. Some communities depend on the fish that live in or travel along rivers. Some rivers produce floods and droughts. Most rivers carry dissolved minerals and organic compounds. Centuries of erosion can leave deep canyons. The Volga is the longest river in Europe and the Neva is the shortest.

• RUSSIA is partly in Europe but most of it is in Asia. The country experiences frequent earthquakes. Special attractions include many cultural treasures. The Kamchatka Region along the Bering Sea is a World Heritage Site.

S

• SAN MARINO is the 3rd smallest country in the world and the oldest republic. Special attractions include events and performances of Medieval Days, and the San Marino Grand Prix.This is the world's 3rd smallest country and oldest republic.

• SERBIA was formerly part of Yugoslavia and is a joint independent state with Montenegro.Special attractions include museums, palaces, monasteries, a national park, and Tara the second biggest canyon in the world.

• SLOVAKIA sits in the heart of Europe. Special attractions include caves, springs, and festivals celebrating Slovak folklore.

• SLOVENIA is the smallest country in Eastern Europe and is know as the "Land of Waterfalls".Special attractions include museums, parks, castles, and caves.

• SPAIN has a parliamentary monarch and several autonomous communities including the Balearic Islands, and Canary Islands. The capital of Madrid is the highest capital in Europe. Special attractions include monuments, the biggest Gothic temple in the world, and The Alhambra in Granada which dates from the 1000's.

• SVALBARD is a group of islands north of Norway and is a territory of Norway. Special attractions include museums, graciers, and a nature reserve.

• SWEDEN has a consitutional monarchy and has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. Special attractions include an Ice Hotel.

• SWITZERLAND is a member of the United Nations and was allowed to keep there flag in the shape of a square. Special attractions include St. Gotthard Road Tunnel which is the longest motor traffic tunnel in the world. The country is famous for the development of the Swiss army knife The first Arbor Day was celebrated in this country.

• Nearly all the known SPORTS are played throughout Europe. Soccer/football is the most popular sport. Golf was invented in Scotland and nearly every country has golf courses. The Olympic Games originated in ancient Greece, and many modern games have been played in Europe.

T

• TURKEY (European) was the capital of the early civilized world for many centuries. Istanbul is the only major city in the world that sits on two continents because some parts are east and some are west of the Bosporus, a strait that separates the European part of Turkey from the Asian part. Special attractions include hundreds of ancient and classical ruins and Temple Diana which is one of the seven wonders of the world.

• Many forms of TRANSPORTATION are available in Europe. Trains are very popular.
• Many European countries have a National TREE. Forests are located thoughout Europe. Most of the forests are privately owned. The last few tracts of relatively natural forest are in Sweden and Finland.

U

• The UKRAINE was formerly part of the Soviet Union. Special attractions include museums, cathedrals, and casltles.

• The United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization UNESCO protects natural and cultural properties around the world. Europe has many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. New sites added in 2003 include Monte San Giogio in Switzerland, Jewish Quarter & St. Procopicius Basilica in Czech Republic, Sacre Monti Premont & Lombardy in Italy, and the Royal Botanical Gardens in the United Kingdom. There are also many UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Europe. New ones added in 2003 include the Tuscan Islands in Italy and Monfrague, Valles del Jubera, Leza, Cidacos y Alhama and extension to Muniellos in Spain.

• The UNITED KINGDOM has a consitutional monarchy and includes Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. The country has many dependent areas including the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Hebrides, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Orkney Islands, and Shetland Islands. Special attractions include museums, and historic sites. The Kingdom of Tonga is a member of the British Commonwealth and the only monarchy in the Pacific.

V

• VATICAN City is the smallest country in Europe and home of the Pope. Special attractions include museums, historic sites, and St. Peter's Basilica which is the largest church in the world.

• Europe has several active VOLCANOES. Mt. Etna, in Sicily, is one most active volcanoes. The ruins of Mt. Vesuvius are in Italy.

W

• The WEATHER in Europe varies from the cold northern Arctic to the hot southern deserts.

• WEBCAMS are located throughout Europe.

• Many of the countries in Europe have WATERFALLS. Gullfoss is a two-tiered waterfall in Iceland.

• Europe has a wide variety of WILDLIFE and there are many endangered species. The Bern Convention protects wildlife and natural habitats.

• Several WONDERS OF THE WORLD are in Europe. Forgotten Wonders include The Colosseum and Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, The Parthenon in Greece, Stonehenge in England, and Mont-Saint Michel in France. Modern Wonders include the Clock Tower in England, the Eiffel Tower in France, and the Channel Tunnel from England to France.

X

• XMAS is an abbreviation of Christmas which is celebrated in many different ways in Europe and around the world. All the countries in Europe have National Holidays. The Public Holidays in Europe are mostly regulated by the statutes in the country.

Y

• YUGOSLAVIAis made up of Serbia and Montenegro and has a strategic location along the Adriatic Coast. Speci al attractions include The Tara Canyon which is the second biggest canyon in the world.

• The YMCA was founded in England. Many countries in Europe have YMCA programs.

• Nearly every country in Europe has YOU TH HOSTELS. Many Countries have ElderHostels.

Z

• Europe is situated in several time ZONES.

• Most of the countries in Europe have ZOOS and some have aquariums.