The continent of Europe is the second smallest in the world.
Europe is densely populated and is made up of many countries-forty-six, to be precise.
Each one of these countries has its own culture and, in most cases, its own language.
Physically, Europe is bounded by the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans in the north and west and the Mediterranean Sea in the south.
In the east, Russia’s Ural Mountains separate Europe from Asia.
At one time, most of Europe was covered by forest, but the trees were gradually cleared to make way for cities, farms and industries.
Northwestern Europe has a mild wet climate; but in the east and far north,
winter can be bitterly cold. Iceland is the most northerly country of Europe.
The largest country, Russia, emerged from the break-up of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
The world’s smallest country is in Europe.
Vatican City is 0.44 square kilometres. The whole country is about the
same size as Hauz Khas Village in Delhi!
Great Britain is the name of the island that is home to the countries
of England, Wales and Scotland.
The United Kingdom (UK) is made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The European Union is an international organisation made up of
twenty-eight European countries.
It governs common economic, social and security policies of its member states.
Please look at a map of Europe and try to answer the following questions:
1. Find Russia on the map. Is all of Russia in Europe?
2. If not, in which other continent does a part of Russia lie?
3. What is the capital of Russia?
4. Find out the official name of Russia.
5. Which country is the Vatican City located in?
6. Which famous and important person lives in the Vatican City?
7. Which countries in Europe does the Arctic Circle pass through?
8. Continental Europe is all of Europe, minus UK and Iceland.
Name five countries in continental Europe.
9. Great Britain is in Europe. But is it on the continent of Europe?
10. What sea separates Great Britain from the rest of Europe?
11. Name the capital of England and of the United Kingdom.
Hint: They share a capital.
Audio courtesy Tara Kriplani: