Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
like Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, and Vatican City—hold more than 25 percent of the world's popula-
tion.
An exact count of Europe's separate states has been made somewhat tricky in the past year or two. And
it's gotten difficult to tell the players apart without a scorecard. With the unification of Germany and the
breakup of the Soviet Union, there are now at least forty separate states in Europe, depending on what you
call “states” and what you call “Europe”—and they're not done making new countries yet!
Even as Europe is moving toward a unified system of currencies, an end to protective tariffs, and the
opening of borders—making national passports obsolete within the continent—the entire continent has
been gripped by new waves of fervent and often violent nationalism. Initially, that nationalism was work-
ing itself out with a minimum of bloodshed as the astonishing events in Eastern Europe and later the Soviet
Union were played out in dizzying speed. But in several nations of Eastern Europe, Yugoslavia in partic-
ular, centuries-old ethnic, religious, and tribal antagonism—suppressed during the years of authoritarian
Communist rule—have brought the worst bloodshed to Europe since the end of World War II. The follow-
ing list breaks Europe up into bite-sized pieces to make it easier to recognize what was once a reassuringly
familiar place on the globe.
The “New” Europe
An All-Purpose, Loosely Defined Political and Geographical Roundup
Scandinavia
Denmark
Norway
Sweden
Finland
Though not actually on one of the Scandinavian peninsulas, Finland is culturally and politically con-
sidered to be part of this group.
Low Countries
Belgium
Luxembourg
The Netherlands
In 1958, these three countries formed an economic union called Benelux, a convenient reminder of their
names.
The Iberian Peninsula
Portugal
Spain
Alpine States
Austria
France
Italy
Liechtenstein
Switzerland
