Europe

Overview

Europe is not defined geologically as a continent, but has been through political and cultural developments within the region. Physically, it is at the western end of Eurasia extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ural Mountains.

Early in European history, the Ancient Greeks developed theories of democracy and law. However, it was through the expansion of the Roman Empire that these concepts were spread throughout the region. As time passed and the concepts evolved the modern European nations went on to spread them throughout the world. Today, Europe is increasingly united having moved forward from its war torn past.

A major advantage of the continent is that there are often large landscape changes within a relatively small region this allows all sorts of activities to take place. At Europe's northern extreme lie the fiords and forests of Norway and Finland where the visitor can admire spectacular scenery. Further south, the Alps have world class ski resorts and the vineyards in the surrounding regions offer the opportunity to sample the local produce. The Mediterranean is lined with beaches, a laid back atmosphere and excellent food.

However, in essence Europe is an historical and cultural destination. England offers the chance to see the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London or a performance at Shakespeare's Globe. In France the visitor can climb the Eiffel Tower or watch the world go by at a Parisian café. On the other hand they might prefer to see the Colosseum of Rome or go to Vatican City. Although, the visitor can escape the large cities and will find that in almost every village there is a rich history worth investigating.