Europe is a continent that is entirely found in the Northern Hemisphere and a majority in the Eastern Hemisphere. It’s also known as the ‘Peninsula of Peninsulas’ and the ‘Peninsula of Eurasia’. Including 51 independent states, Europe is a big continent that is exciting to explore. There are so many nations that span thousands of kilometers, covering tropical and cold climates, and still, Europe has room for a plethora of interesting facts.
The whole of Europe has got loads to see! What’s even cooler is the large mix of cultures, lovely landscapes, and interesting facts that have made Europe, well… Europe! From UNESCO heritage sites to the Louvre amazing facts about the land, these 10 facts about Europe will blow you away.
1. Europe Gets Its Name Straight Out Of Greece.
According to Greek mythology, Europa was a princess who was stolen by Zeus. Minos was born after she was transported to Crete and Europe has been named after her. The term Europa was first used in central Greece, and soon enough in the entirety of Greece. By 500 BCE, the Greeks had adopted the term to denote the entire continent, with Greece at its center.
2. Europe Has More UNESCO World Heritage Sites Than Any Other Continent.
UNESCO has honored 1,154 sites worldwide for their cultural, scientific, or historical worth. Europe has the most of these sites out of any continent. Some of Europe’s most famous UNESCO monuments are the iconic Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Italy’s stunning Mount Etna, and Spain’s breathtaking Alhambra. These spots not only reflect Europe’s unique cultural legacy but also natural wonders.
3. French Fries Are Belgium’s Gift To The World.
Many people around the world enjoy French fries so much so that many people believe this food originated in the United States. The reality is that French fries originated in Europe, notably Belgium. Fries are known as ‘frites’ in Belgium and are commonly eaten with mayonnaise. People’s love for fries is deeply rooted in Belgium culture, with shops, or ‘friteries’ on every street corner. Belgians adore fries so much that there’s a museum solely devoted to them called ‘Frietmuseum’.
4. Monaco Boasts The Highest Life Expectancy In Europe.
Monaco, a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, has the longest life expectancy in Europe. Their people live 89.4 years on average. Surprisingly, this figure is also the highest in the world. Monaco’s scenic nature along the French Riviera, as well as its exceptionally skilled medical staff, is credited with its longevity. The combination of these variables results in a population that enjoys remarkable health and longevity, making Monaco a global model of longevity.
5. Lions Once Roamed The Lands Of Europe.
Although we commonly associate lions with Africa, this has not always been the case. Lions used to roam Europe thousands of years ago and they existed in parts of southeastern Europe as recently as 3,000 years ago, according to fossils and bone pieces discovered. These remarkable facts about Europe provide a compelling glimpse into history, which even extends to the Roman Empire where lions were used in gladiatorial contests held in amphitheatres.
6. The Smallest Independent Country In The World Is Vatican City.
Vatican City is the world’s smallest country by land area, covering about 0.02 square miles. The Holy Father’s formal residence is in Vatican City, and this tiny country prints its own euros, grants passports and license plates, owns media outlets, and has its own flag and anthem. It is also the spiritual and administrative centre of the Roman Catholic Church, making it a religiously major site. This independent city-state enclave within Rome bears witness to the Vatican’s rich cultural heritage.
7. Estonia Is Home To One Of Europe’s Ancient Pharmacies.
It’s amazing how old some of Europe’s buildings and cities are and pharmacies are no different. The Raeapteek in Town Hall Square, according to VisitTallinn, is one of Europe’s oldest still-running pharmacies. This business appears to have been open since 1422 and reflects Estonia’s rich historical legacy. The European continent also offers its tourists an intriguing peek into centuries-old pharmacological practices.
8. There Are Over 400 Distinct Terms For Snow In The Scottish Vocabulary.
Academics putting together the first Historical Thesaurus of Scots claim to have discovered 421 Scots words for snow. Other examples include “snaw” and “sneesl,” which signify to start raining or snowing, and “skelf,” a huge snowflake. According to the thesaurus, every sort of snow has a Scots name for it, whether it be “feefle” (to whirl, as of snow round a corner), “flindrikin” (a brief snow shower), “spitters” (tiny drops or flakes of wind-driven rain or snow), or “snaw-pouther” (fine blowing snow).
9. The Louvre Is Europe’s Top Visited Attraction.
The Louvre in Paris, France, is Europe’s most visited tourist attraction. The famed Mona Lisa and the huge Venus de Milo statue are among its appealing parts. The museum is a remarkable treasure of art and history. Its striking glass pyramid entrance is popular around the world, and the neighboring gardens are a lovely site for peaceful walks. The Louvre is a must-see if you are an art lover. It is a place where history and creativity converge!
10. Europeans Commemorate A Day For Language Celebration.
Europe is home to a variety of intriguing people and fascinating languages. If you want to honor these languages, you can do so on September 26. To promote language study, the European Union declared the day the European Day of Languages. This day acts as an incentive for the continent’s linguistic diversity, with more than 200 different languages spoken in its member countries. We believe that our great languages are worthy of celebration, therefore the next time you travel to Europe, remember these interesting facts about Europe and learn a few words to celebrate the diversity of languages!
