Europe is one of the world’s most diverse continents, packed into a relatively small area. From the frozen landscapes of Iceland and northern Scandinavia to the sunny Mediterranean coastlines of Spain, Italy and Greece, Europe contains an incredible variety of landscapes, cultures and traditions. 🌍🇪🇺 Europe is home to dozens of countries, each with its own history, languages, foods, religions, customs and national identities. Countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom have played major roles in European and world history, while smaller countries such as Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein and Monaco have their own unique stories. The continent has been shaped by some of history’s biggest events, including the Roman Empire, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, the two World Wars and the Cold War. Ancient cities, medieval castles and modern skyscrapers can sometimes be found surprisingly close together. Europe is also incredibly varied geographically. The Alps stretch across several countries, the Mediterranean surrounds the southern coast, while the vast plains of Eastern Europe extend across thousands of kilometres. The continent includes islands such as Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland, Sicily and Crete, as well as regions reaching from the Atlantic Ocean all the way toward the Ural Mountains. European culture has had a huge influence around the world. European literature, music, art, architecture, philosophy, science and cuisine have all left lasting marks on global culture. Foods such as pizza, pasta, croissants, paella and waffles are now enjoyed far beyond their countries of origin. 🍕🥐 Europe is not one single culture. Its diversity is part of what makes it so interesting. A journey across the continent can take you through completely different languages, landscapes, traditions and histories within only a few hours. From the historic streets of Rome to the mountains of Switzerland, the fjords of Norway, the beaches of Croatia and the forests of Central Europe, there is an enormous amount to discover. Europe may be one continent, but it contains an extraordinary collection of countries, peoples and stories. 🌍❤️ #mapping #russia #europe #meme #bosnia - @balkanblue