Europe is the western part of the Eurasian Peninsula and home to more than 700 million people, although it is the second smallest continent in the world after Australia. Since the flourishing of ancient Greece and the Roman Empire more than 2000 years ago, the continent has become a center of trade, culture, art and science. From the invention of the air-plane to the smallest country of the world and an 6500 year old stone building, Europe has much to offer. Here are 5 unknown Facts about Europe that truly show the diversity of the continent!
1 The place with the longest name in Europe is the welsh community of “Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogoch” which translates as “St. Mary’s Church in a hollow of white hazels near the fast whirlpool and the Thysilio Church by the red cave.”
2 Every year, Europe is visited by 700 million tourists, which is as much as the entire European population. With more than 10 million visitors per year, the Louvre is the most visited attraction in Europe. Exhibiting unique works of art like the Mona Lisa and a huge collection of paintings from Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire and the Middle East, the Louvre attracts Art fans from all over the world.
3 Here are some of the inventions that have been made by Europeans throughout the last centuries and are now an integral part of our lives! Did you know that the space suit has been invented in Spain and that the air-plane and the car are German inventions? But not only technical milestones also everyone’s favorite breakfast, muesli, has been invented in Europe, more precisely in Switzerland. LEGO, that children all over the world use to create the worlds of their fantasy, has been invented by the danish Ole Kirk Christiansen. The name originates from the danish “leg godt” which can be translated as “play good”.
4 Despite its comparatively small size, Europe spans 3 different climate zones and offers a variety of breathtaking natural beauty. Mont Blanc, the highest peak in Europe with 4800 meters, covered with snow all year round, is a paradise for mountaineers and an amazing photo motive. In addition, Europe offers glaciers and volcanoes such as Atna, but also endless beaches in southern France and endless forests in Scandinavia. Furthermore there you don’t have to travel to Asia or South America to see a rain-forest – just visit Europe’s last real rain-forest on the Balkan peninsula! The Perucica Rain forest in Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of the UNESCO world heritage list and contains a unique flora with 300 year old trees that can be visited in a guided tour.
5 Some of the most famous movie locations worldwide are actually situated in Europe. Potterheads should definitely pay a visit to the Glennfinan Viaduct which is part of the famous route of the Hogwarts Express. Also the classic Mamma Mia was filmed in Europe, precisely on the Greek Island of Skopelos.
If you are a western movie lover, you should definitely pay a visit to Spain because actually “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Cleopatra” have been filmed in the South of Spain, in Almeria.
Sources: https://www.delicious.com.au/travel/international/gallery/50-places-around-world-famous-movies-were-filmed/x3tb68kq
https://www.elisabethdeim.com/infografik-in-19-fakten-durch-europa
https://www.my-hammer.de/artikel/7-der-aeltesten-bauwerke-der-welt.html