Europe

u'rup, the smallest grand division of the eastern continent. The word is from the Greek, and was derived by the Greeks from an Arab word meaning darkness, or more properly, the sunset. Europe is, therefore, the land of the setting sun. Geographically, it is a peninsula extending westward from the Asiatic mainland. The southern coast is washed by the Mediterranean and its eastern extension, the Black Sea. The Atlantic Ocean lies on the west, the Arctic on the north. The greatest extent of Europe is from southeast to northwest, a distance of 3,400 miles. The most northerly point is North Cape at the extremity of Norway in the latitude of 71 deg. 11'. The most southerly point is Cape Tarifa in the latitude of 36 deg. north, at the Strait of Gibraltar. The greatest indentation is the Baltic Sea. The greatest elevation is Mont Blanc, 15,810 feet above the sea. The greatest depression is the shore of the Caspian, considerably below the level of the Mediterranean. The largest river is the Volga, which empties into the Caspian.

The countries of Europe are reckoned usually at twenty-five,--four empires, twelve kingdoms, four republics, and five duchies and principalities. The largest is, of course, Russia, with an area of over 2,000,000 square miles, and a population in excess of 100,000,000. The smallest country is the little principality of Monaco, with an area of eight square miles and a population of 15,000. The total area of Europe, including the mainland and the adjacent islands, is in round numbers, 3,750,000 square miles. The population is a trifle under 400,000,000.

The rainfall of Europe is derived chiefly from the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. It decreases irregularly eastward. Four zones of vegetation are recognized. The most northerly, lying north of latitude 62 deg. in Russia and 64 deg. in Norway, includes the Arctic tundras and the region of the fir and birch. South of this lies the zone of the oak and beech. Next comes the zone of the chestnut and the grape. The most southerly portion produces the lemon, the orange, the fig, and other sub-tropical fruits. In proportion to area, Europe is capable of supporting a larger population than any other grand division.

See also articles on the various European waters, mountains, countries, cities, and productions, as BALTIC; ALPS; ITALY; BERLIN; CORK, etc.