Europe is a significant part of the largest continent of Eurasia, which is located in the west. In the south it is separated from Africa by the Mediterranean Sea, and in the East from Asia by the Ural Range, the Emba River and the Caspian Sea. It is located in an area of about 10 million square kilometers. This is an important geopolitical area. The list of European countries includes completely independent states, as well as unrecognized republics and controlled territories with special political status - they are subject to the laws of the European protectorate. Some states, while in Asia, are economically and culturally inclined towards Europe.
Territorial division of the region
All European countries, according to their location, are divided into western, eastern, northern and southern. There are 65 subjects in this region: 19 countries of Europe do not have a maritime border and are located in the interior of the continent, 32 states are located on the shores of oceans and seas, and 14 are located on islands close to the European continent.
Northern Europe
The list of European countries located in the north of the continent is as follows: Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Iceland, Denmark. Norway and Iceland are not EU members at the end of 2017. Iceland has just entered the European Economic Area and is taking steps towards further integration. In contrast, Norway, as a country with a strong economy and strong social policies, refuses to meet the bloc. Pursuing the goal of further economic growth and preserving the achievements of the nation, Norway is trying to develop away from the political bloc and have its own commodity currency. Although in Norway, the American dollar and the euro are in free circulation along with the Norwegian krone.
Western Europe
The list of European countries located in the west of the continent includes the following states: Switzerland, Netherlands, France, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Luxembourg, Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria and Germany. These countries are characterized by a high level of economic development, for example, Germany, Switzerland, France, Great Britain. On the territory of Western Europe there is also a geopolitical association, which is an intergovernmental organization Benelux. It includes Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands - very similar states that are part of the European Union.
Some of the listed states, except Switzerland and England, are members of the EU. The latter in 2016 expressed a desire to leave him. De facto, the UK remains a member of the EU, as the procedure for its exit has not yet taken place. Despite the will of the people of England, the results of the referendum may still be revised. Switzerland, even because of the national idea of neutrality, refused to enter into any political blocs, which is largely due to a high level of welfare.
Southern Europe
In southern Europe, there are mainly small states. These are Montenegro, Croatia, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Malta, Andorra, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Portugal, San Marino, Vatican, Serbia. In this list of European countries should be added and larger states located in the south of the continent. These are Italy and Spain. These are countries with European culture, but different in economic development. The leaders of the region are: Spain, Italy, Greece and Croatia.
The economic situation of other states is relatively low. But, for example, the Vatican, Malta and San Marino should not be included in this rating. For the Vatican, the economy is not at all decisive, and in the dwarf state of San Marino, the tourism industry is quite successful, due to which the country provides a high level of its own well-being. Malta as a state with a developed economy cannot be considered, however, it is firmly maintained through cooperation with England and the expensive procedure for obtaining citizenship for a private investor. All countries of southern Europe, the list of which is indicated above, are distinguished by an interesting centuries-old history.
Eastern Europe
The list of European countries located in the east is relatively small. These are medium and large states by European and world standards, although among them there are also small countries. The list consists of the following countries: Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Moldova and Belarus. The 4 states at the end of the list are not included in the EU. Belarus is the only state that does not have membership in the Council of Europe.
The position of Belarus in Europe resembles that of the unrecognized republics. In Europe, it is the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Transnistrian Moldavian Republic, the Luhansk People’s Republic, and the Republic of Kosovo. The countries of Western Europe (the list is located above), as well as the UN member states, have not yet recognized their right to independence, and therefore their existence is legal only from the point of view of their constitutions.
Dependent and disputed territories of Europe
The list of dependent territories should include Aland Islands, Guernsey, Jersey, Gibraltar, Faroe Islands, Isle of Man, Svalbard. The Åland Islands are dependent on Finland and represent monolingual autonomy as a part of this state in the demilitarized territory. Maine, Guernsey and Jersey - these are islands belonging to Great Britain, its crown possessions. Gibraltar is also a dependent territory owned by the UK, although Spain claims to be.
The Faroe Islands are an autonomous region of Denmark, which independently solves its state issues. But their police, justice and money supply are provided by Denmark. Svalbard is a demilitarized zone that belongs to Norway. However, only Russia can carry out economic activity on it thanks to the special status of the archipelago.
These dependent countries of northern Europe, the list of which includes including Svalbard and the Faroe Islands, are distinguished by economic inferiority and, in one way or another, depend on their protectorates. Also, Turkey, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Cyprus are often included in the composition of European countries, but this is due to differences in the interpretation of the borders of the continent and differences in mentality.