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MYKONOS ISLAND (Greece) | Highlights: capital, beach clubs, kite surf & sunsets

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The Best Greek Pastitsio recipe (Pastichio)! An authentic Greek Lasagna dish to recreate this traditional delight just like my grandma used to make it! So go ahead, indulge yourself to this little sin.

What is Greek Pastitsio / Pastichio?

For the traditional pastitsio / Pasticcio recipe, layers of pasta, juicy minced beef and velvety béchamel sauce are baked together to create the ultimate Greek comfort food! Along with the legendary dish moussaka of course. The beef is cooked in a tomato sauce along with aromatic spices. The traditional Greek pastitsio / pastichio recipe is what most people call "Greek lasagna". And the beef sauce is similar to Italian Bolognese.

How to make traditional Greek Pastitsio?

Although it can be a challenging dish to prepare we summed up all the steps in three core steps so that you can easily make the very best pastitsio on your first try! This easy to follow Greek pastitsio recipe can be summarised in three stages: cooking the pasta mixture, preparing the meat filling and preparing the béchamel. Truth is that the whole process will require dirtying some pans, but the end result is well worth it.

Greek Pastitsio recipe - Prepare the pasta

The authentic Greek Pastitsio recipe is made with bucatini pasta, a thick pasta like spaghetti with a hole running through the center. This is how you will eat the dish in almost every Greek household or restaurant. You could also substitude with ziti pasta or penne if you prefer. The pasta base for this pastitsio recipe is mixed with Greek feta cheese and enriched with its sharp and distinctive taste. Just be careful to cook the pasta for the pastitsio 2-3 minutes less than the package instructions, so that they don't get mushy after turning out of the oven later.

Greek Pastitsio recipe - Prepare the meat sauce

Greek pastitsio (pastichio/pasticcio/Pastizio) owes its distinctive and rich flavour to the two aromatic spices used in the meat sauce of the traditional pastitsio recipe, which are cinnamon and clove. Once put in the oven, the intense aromas of those spices bring back childhood memories. To prepare the meat sauce for this pastitsio recipe, the ground beef is sautéed in olive oil, flavoured with onions and garlic and then simmered in red wine and tomato sauce. Let your sauce simmer for a while to allow the flavours to mingle.

Greek Pastitsio recipe - Prepare the Béchamel sauce

The perfect béchamel sauce for your pastitsio should be smooth and creamy. To achieve the perfect texture the key is to add the milk (lukewarm) a little bit at a time whilst constantly stirring with a hand whisk. Whisk the sauce constantly and allow each time the flour to absorb the milk, so that it doesn't get lumpy. Cook the béchamel sauce over medium to low heat, so that it doesn't burn and doesn't stick on the bottom of the pan. Cook enough time, until you can't taste the flour and is thick enough. Once the béchamel sauce cools a bit and the grated cheese goes in, it will thicken a little bit. So keep that in mind to achieve the right texture. Even though it will be really hard, wait for a while until the pastitsio cools down, before cutting into pieces!

Can this Greek Pastitsio recipe Be made in Advance?

Making Greek Pastitsio can be a bit time consuming, so sometimes you will need to prepare it in advance.
If you like to prepare pastitsio in advance, you can prepare the different components the previous night. All the components can be stored in the fridge. Assemble the pastitisio the next day, when it's time to bake it. Another option is to assemble the pastitsio, but not to bake it immediately. Instead, cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. Next day put it straight in the oven and bake, according to the recipe instructions (step 5.)

Can you freeze baked Pastitsio / Pasticcio?

This pastitsio recipe can also be cooked in advance and freeze individual portions. Truth is that sometimes you will end up with leftovers, as it is a recipe for a big crowd. If you are cooking for less, you could either cut the recipe in half, or even better have some extra pieces in the freezer. Freeze cooked pastitsio, after it has cooled. When ready to serve, thaw in the freeze the previous night. Next day heat the pastitsio in the oven at 180C, until is warmed up.

So go ahead, give this traditional Pastitsio recipe a try and amaze your friends and family with this extra tasty hearty dish!

Greek Pastitsio recipe (Greek Lasagna with Béchamel)

Author: Eli K. Giannopoulos

Yield: 8 1x

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Greek Pastitsio recipe (Greek Lasagna with Béchamel) - My Greek Dish

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The Best Greek Pastitsio recipe (Pastichio)! An authentic Greek Lasagna dish to recreate this traditional delight just like my grandma used to make it! So go ahead, indulge yourself to this little sin. For the traditional pastitsio / Pasticcio recipe, layers of pasta, juicy minced beef and velvety béchamel sauce are baked together to create the ultimate Greek comfort food!

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European Day of Language is amazing and celebrfates.............

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Number of Languages

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There are almost a hundred different languages spoken natively in Europe, but only about 40 of them have 1 million speakers or more. The map below shows estimates of the total number of native speakers for those languages. When a language is commonly spoken outside Europe, an estimate of the number of native speakers living in Europe and the total number of non-native (L2) speakers is also provided.

Do you like the map? Show your support by sharing it.Sharing with attribution helps me create more maps.

The languages shown in the map are not necessarily mutually exclusive; for example, most speakers of minority languages in Italy are also speakers of Standard Italian, and most authors include them in their estimates of the number of native speakers of Italian. Such languages are marked with an asterisk in the table below:

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Language

Native speakers
(in millions)

Please note that there is no standardized way to divide German varieties into separate languages, so I divided them into 3 rough categories: Low German, West Central German (which includes Luxembourgish), and Alemannic German.

Figures preceded by the symbol "~", as well as the numbers of L2 speakers, must be taken with a pinch of salt. The problem of estimating the number of native English and French speakers speakers is the large number of countries where the languages are widely spoken non-natively and the number of natives is unknown. Both Polish and Ukrainian have a large diaspora in many different countries. The situation of Ukrainian is further complicated by the existence of Surzhyk, which is a mix of Russian and Ukrainian spoken by around 15% of the Ukrainian population.

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European languages by number of native speakers

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There are almost a hundred different languages spoken natively in Europe, but only about 40 of them have 1 million speakers or more. The map below shows estimates of the total number of native speakers for those languages.

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Latvian Song Festival - "Līgo!" (Sway!) ENGLISH translation / subtitles

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Spain, a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Capital city Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters.

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Spain, a country on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, includes 17 autonomous regions with diverse geography and cultures. Capital city Madrid is home to the Royal Palace and Prado museum, housing works by European masters.

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National dish:paella( Greek: Παέγια)
Δημήτριος Καμπέρος Γ3

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Europe is home to 24 official languages, while as many as 200 languages are spoken across the continent.

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By learning a new langauge ,you also learn a new culture!!!

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European:countries,languages, inhabitants, capitals and flags!!!

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Europe - countries, languages, inhabitants, capitals

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List of Countries, Languages, Inhabitants, Capitals in Europe - Learning English

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European countries, inhabitants, capitals and flags!!!

Angelina Alexandrou G’1

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Europe - countries, languages, inhabitants, capitals

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List of Countries, Languages, Inhabitants, Capitals in Europe - Learning English

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7 Facts About Europe-by Andreas Makriyiannis

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7 Facts About Europe-by Andreas Makriyiannis

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Michalis Michaelides G’1

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With so many unique cultures in the world today, what makes a country truly stand out? By statistically measuring a range of factors, including creative exports and the impact of UNESCO sites on its economy, The Good Country Index has created a ranking of 125 countries which culturally contribute on a global scale. We review the top 10 countries in Europe and examine what makes them worthy of their status.

Austria's cities and architecture play a key role in its cultural identity, with the historic centers of both Salzburg and Vienna having been named World Heritage Sites. Indeed, the old roads and cityscape of Vienna play as vital a role in certain Modernist works of Austrian literature, such as Arthur Schnitzler's 'Dream Story' (1925), as Paris does in the works of Balzac and Flaubert. Buildings such as the cathedral of Stephansdom in Vienna or the castles of Schloß Schönbrunn and Burg Kreuzenstein are testament to Austria's rich and varied history.

Belgium has an excellent track record for exporting some of its greatest cultural achievements, especially in the field of cartoons and comics, in which it has long been a world leader. Georges Prosper Remi, better known as Hergé, began his Tintin comics in 1929, while Pierre Culliford created the Smurfs comic strip in 1958. The Musée Hergé opened in Louvain-La-Neuve in 2009 and attracts a global audience. Folklore is also hugely important to Belgian culture and today manifests itself in a number of festivals and carnivals throughout the country. The Carnival of Binche takes place yearly on the days preceding Ash Wednesday - hundreds of partakers dress in wax masks and costumes, parading through the streets to ward off bad luck.

Czech culture spills out from every corner of the country, especially in Prague, the historic city center which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is famed for its beautiful architecture, booming arts scene and its cuisine. Although the Czech Republic may not spring to mind as a gastronomic paradise when compared to certain other European countries, such as Italy and France, its cuisine has much to offer. Its hearty, meat-based dishes, warming soups and delicious craft beers have done much to raise the profile of Eastern European cooking in recent years and this is reflected in its range of fine-dining restaurants and chic bars.

Denmark has historically placed great emphasis on the arts - to this day, the majority of its arts and culture are supported and funded directly by the government and artistic pursuits are greatly encouraged. Its museums, particularly the national art gallery Statensmuseum for Kunst, house a large collection of both Danish and international paintings, including masterpieces from the Danish Golden Age by Carl Bloch and Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. Perhaps Denmark's most iconic cultural legacy is its architecture - the Grundtvig's Church in Copenhagen is a classic example of Expressionist architecture by Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Klimt, while the famous contemporary Bagsværd Church was designed by Jørn Utzon, who also designed the Sydney Opera House.

Estonia offers stunning architecture in the form of its medieval capital city, as well as a range of exciting and enticing restaurants, featuring the best of Nordic and East European cuisine. It is however, largely music which is the feather in Estonia's cultural cap. The country has produced an impressive number of modern classical composers, including Arvo Pärt and Neeme Järvi, as well as the more unusual folk-metal band Metsastöll. There are also a variety of music festivals - Tallinn Music Week runs in the Spring and showcases new Estonian talent, while the Viljandi Folk Music Festival is traditionally held in Summer amidst the picturesque ruins of Viljandi castle and is one of the world's most popular folk festivals. All of this culminates every five years in the Song Festival, where tens of thousands of Estonians gather to sing together.

Like Belgium, a great deal of Germany's cultural identity lies within its traditions and festivals. Munich's Oktoberfest has become a global event, with millions visiting the festival each year for what is, at heart, a celebration of German beer-brewing. Perhaps the most famous of German traditions, however, is the Weihnachtsmarkt, or Christmas market. Hundreds of these markets are to be found throughout Germany, from small village affairs to the great tourist attractions of the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, or the Striezelmarkt in Dresden. What each has in common is a wonderful focus on German culture - the scents of traditional German food such as bratwurst and gingerbread fill the air and each market offers a selection of German crafts and handmade goods.

Irish culture revolves around a strong sense of identity. St Patrick Day festivities have become globally widespread and focus on celebrating Irish heritage and culture, while the country's landscape, mythologies and cities all play a key role in its great works of literature, whether in James Joyce's 'Dubliners' or W. B. Yeats's poetry. Moreover, Ireland's natural beauty plays as important a part in its cultural heritage as the arts do, with attractions such as the Ring of Kerry and the Aran Islands drawing in millions of visitors a year and forming an iconic part of the Irish landscape.

Luxembourg's culture is largely represented in its three national languages - French, German and Luxembourgish. Despite this seeming lack of cohesion, Luxembourg in fact possesses a very distinctive and thriving cultural scene. The beautiful city of Luxembourg is located on high plateaus, with bridges spanning dizzying gorges, and the city offers several walking tours to take in the breath-taking views. Luxembourg is also set on engaging both locals and tourists in a varied cultural scene, from lunchtime concerts in the city to exhibitions in its range of museums. Outside of the city, a large number of castles reflect both the country's French and German influence. Bourschied Castle and Beaufort Castle are particularly stunning examples.

Malta is one of the world's smallest countries, yet boasts an impressive list of nine UNESCO world heritage sites, including the entirety of its capital city Valletta. Maltese culture is representative of the large number of other societies which have come into contact with the island in its history, having been ruled successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Arabs and the Order of the Knights of St John. This blending of cultures is reflected largely in its stunning architecture. The impressive St John's Co-Cathedral is a prime example of Baroque building and is widely acknowledged as one of Europe's most beautiful cathedrals, while the National Museum of Fine Arts is housed in a Rococo palace. This unique blend of beauty and influences renders Maltese culture unparalleled.

The Netherlands has a plethora of iconic cultural spots, from the canals of Amsterdam, to the blooming tulip fields in Spring, to the windmills of Kinderdijk - the latter now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Netherlands also possesses a thriving historical arts scene, boasting some of the world's greatest artists and their works within its borders. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam is a must-see for masterpieces, such as Vermeer's 'The Milkmaid' (c.1660) and Rembrandt's 'Isaac and Rebecca' (1661). A range of smaller museums further celebrate Dutch art and culture, opening it up to the public - the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam exhibits the eponymous artist's famed 'Sunflowers' (1889), while the Royal Delft factory allows a glimpse of the process behind the iconic Delft ceramics via tours and workshops.

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The 10 Most Culturally Rich Countries In Europe

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With so many unique cultures in the world today, what makes a country truly stand out? By statistically measuring a range of factors, including creative exports and the impact of UNESCO sites on its economy, The Good Country Index has created a ranking of 125 countries which culturally contribute on a global scale.

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Traditional costumes from Spain ,Germany and Denmark 

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Traditional costumes from Spain ,Germany and Denmark 

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Άλια Βουρβοπουλου Γ5

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BVpwUQWJwS8

Marina Rodosthenous G’4

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PAELLA                                                                                  

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Σώτια Σοφοκλέους Γ5

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The origin of the European Union Anthem! 

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The origin of the European Union Anthem! 

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Petros Petridis G΄6

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Kyriaki Paphiti G'1

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Even after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, English remains one of the official languages of Ireland and Malta.

Listen to samples of the EU's official languages

Bulgarian

Croatian

Czech

Danish

Dutch

English

Europeans united in diversity

The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity. It is not a State intended to replace existing states, but it is more than just another international organisation. The EU is, in fact, unique. Its Member States have set up common institutions to which they delegate some of their sovereignty so that decisions on specific matters of joint interest can be made democratically at European level.

Europe is a continent with many different traditions and languages, but also with shared values. The EU defends these values. It fosters co-operation among the peoples of Europe, promoting unity while preserving diversity and ensuring that decisions are taken as close as possible to the citizens.

In the increasingly interdependent world of the 21st century, it will be even more necessary for every European citizen to co-operate with people from other countries in a spirit of curiosity, tolerance and solidarity.

Estonian

Finnish

French

German

Greek

Hungarian

Irish

Italian

Latvian

Lithuanian

Maltese

L-Ewropej magħquda fid-diversità

L-Unjoni Ewropea (UE) tirrappreżenta familja ta' pajjiżi demokratiċi Ewropej b'impenn li jaħdmu flimkien għall-paċ u l-ġid. L-Unjoni mhijiex Stat maħsub biex jieħu post l-istati eżistenti, iżda fl-istess waqt l-UE titqies aktar minn kull organizzazzjoni internazzjonali oħra. L-UE hi entità unika.

L-Istati Membri tagħha waqqfu istituzzjonijiet komuni. Lil dawn l-istituzzjonijiet, l-Istati Membri jiddelegawlhom parti mis-sovranità tagħhom biex deċiżjonijiet dwar ħwejjeġ speċifiċi jkunu jistgħu jittieħdu b'mod demokratiku f'livell Ewropew.

L-Ewropa hi kontinent li jħaddan għadd ta' tradizzjonijiet u ilsna differenti, iżda fl-istess ħin valuri komuni. L-UE tiddefendi dawn il-valuri u ssaħħaħ il-koperazzjoni bejn il-popli ta' l-Ewropa; tippromwovi d-diversità u tiżgura li d-deċiżjonijiet jittieħdu kemm jista' jkun qrib iċ-ċittadin.

Fid-dinja tas-Seklu 21, li kulma jmur qiegħda ssir aktar interdipendenti, se tinħass ħtieġa akbar biex kull ċittadin Ewropew jaħdem flimkien ma' nies minn pajjiżi oħra fi spirtu ta' kurżità, tolleranza u solidarjetà.

Polish

Portuguese

Romanian

Slovak

Slovenian

Spanish

Swedish

Multilingualism

In line with its status as a democratic international organisation, one of the EU's founding principles is multilingualism.

This policy aims at

communicating with its citizens in their own languages

protecting Europe's rich linguistic diversity

promoting language learning in Europe

This approach has no precedent, either among multilingual states or even international organisations.

The principle is anchored in the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights - as an EU national, you have the right to use any of the 24 official languages to contact the EU institutions, and they are obliged to reply in the same language.

EU law and other legislative texts are published in all official languages, except Irish, for resource-related reasons (only regulations adopted by both the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament are currently translated into Irish).

Meetings of the European Council and the Council of the European Union are interpreted into all official languages. Members of the European Parliament have the right to use any official language when speaking in Parliament.

Regional & minority languages

The EU is home to over 60 indigenous regional or minority languages, spoken by some 40 million people. They include Basque, Catalan, Frisian, Saami and Yiddish.

The European Commission maintains an open dialogue, encouraging linguistic diversity and putting effort into preserving this heritage. But the legal status of these languages and the extent to which they receive support is determined by national governments.

One significant source of funds for initiatives to protect and promote the teaching and learning of minority languages is Erasmus+, an EU programme that encompasses education and training.

Language learning

The EU's main goal here is ambitious: enabling every EU citizen to communicate in 2 languages other than their mother tongue.

The best way to achieve this would be to introduce children to 2 foreign languages from an early age. Other steps are being taken to help EU countries improve their educational programmes, to ensure school-leavers have better language skills.

The EU supports language learning to:

help more people study and work abroad

help people from different cultures understand one another

trade effectively across Europe

boost the language industry (translation and interpreting, language teaching, language technologies, etc.)

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Even after the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, English remains one of the official languages of Ireland and Malta. Europeans united in diversity The European Union (EU) is a family of democratic European countries, committed to working together for peace and prosperity.

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**Cyprus / Cypriot / Greek, Turkish

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List of European Countries with European Languages, European Flags and Nationalities

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7 Most visited tourist attractions in Europe

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7 Most visited tourist attractions in Europe

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Rafaella Evangelakopoulou G'5

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7 Most visited tourist attractions in Europe

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Did you know?..
Around 6,000 different languages are spoken around the world. Europe's 28 member countries account for 200 unofficial languages. European languages belong to three distinct groups: Germanic, Romance and Slavic. Basque is the only European language that doesn't belong to any of these three.
Alexandros Mouskis G'1

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37 European Languages - Weather Forecast

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European countries and their official+other spoken languages.

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European countries and their official+other spoken languages.

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https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/european_languages.htm

Michalis Ioulianos G'1

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Elisavet Thrasyvoulou G'6

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Demetris Georgiou G6

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An educational PowerPoint talking about European day of languages by Evelina Orthodoxou G3

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European day of languages Evelina Orthodoxou C3

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Anna Economide G1

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Germany's Presidency of the Council of the European Union

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Content

Si. Oui. Yes. Ja. Tak. Kyllä: On 26 September, Europe celebrates the European Day of Languages to honour the incredibly rich linguistic diversity of the European continent. Here are ten surprising facts about our languages.

Info

Languages are more than just a means of communication - they are a vehicle for conveying ideas, values and emotions, making them pivotal in the way we live together. The Council of Europe promotes multilingualism and intercultural understanding, and thus aims to protect our linguistic diversity and heritage.

Info

The Council of Europe is an international organisation founded in 1949. It has 47 member states. Its goal is to foster unity and cooperation in Europe and to promote economic and social progress. Within its framework, binding international agreements are signed by states, including the European Convention on Human Rights. Although the Council of Europe has the same flag and anthem as the EU, it is a separate organisation and is independent of the EU. It should not be confused with the Council of the European Union. Germany will hold the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe from November 2020 to May 2021.

1. Most European languages belong to one of three major language families: the Germanic, Romance or Slavic languages.

2. Europe has about 225 indigenous languages - but this accounts for only three percent of the languages spoken in the world.

3. German is the only language in the world to capitalise nouns.

4. In French, there are 13 different spellings for the sound „o".

5. French and English are the only languages taught everywhere in schools throughout the world.

6. Russia is thought to be home to speakers of over 100 languages. Alongside Russian, Chechen, Tatar and Bashkir are widely spoken.

7. Basque is thought to be the oldest language spoken in Europe. It is spoken in region straddling the French-Spanish border on the Atlantic coast.

8. Catalan, spoken by six million people, is the second most-spoken language in Spain. It is spoken in Catalonia on the east coast of the country.

9. Arabic, Chinese and Hindi are the most widely spoken non-European languages in Europe.

10. In London alone, about 300 languages are spoken.

Further information:

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European Day of Languages: 10 things you never knew about European languages

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Si. Oui. Yes. Ja. Tak. Kyllä: On 26 September, Europe celebrates the European Day of Languages to honour the incredibly rich linguistic diversity of the European continent. Here are ten surprising facts about our languages. Languages are more than just a means of communication - they are a vehicle for conveying ideas, values and emotions, making them pivotal in the way we live together.

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alexandra kostantinou G’1

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Countries from Europe with flags and capital

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Countries from Europe with flags and capital

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Andreas Christoforou G’1

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Europe - countries, languages, inhabitants, capitals

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List of Countries, Languages, Inhabitants, Capitals in Europe - Learning English

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Andria Christoforou G'6

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Evangelia Zacharia C5

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What is the European Day of Languages?
The European Day of Languages, as its name suggests, is a celebration of European languages held on 26th September every year since 2002.

Why do we celebrate the European Day of Languages?
After a successful European Year of Languages in 2001, the Council of Europe created the European Day of Languages as an annual celebration to encourage language learning in Europe.

The main aims of the celebration are to promote the benefits of language learning, the linguistic diversity of Europe, and to encourage language learning among people of all ages.

1 fact about European languages:

European languages love to borrow words from each other. For example, we use French words in English all the time, and there are plenty of English words that we’ve borrowed from German, too.

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Evelina Pavlou G’1

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Countries of the European Union [2019] - EU Member States with Flags

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Neoklis Peleties G'3

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Find out about the most famous inventions each European country  has made.

Sylvia Kyriacopoulou G3

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The air bag, stethoscope and bicycle are all inventions we use daily and rely on, and they were all invented in Europe. Last year, 3,326,300 patent applications were filed worldwide but only 42% were approved.

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Unusual things you don't know about Europe

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Unusual things you don't know about Europe

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Unusual things you don't know about Europe

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Unusual things you don't know about Europe

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by George Krupa

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Christophoros Stylianou G'3

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Get to know the most densely populated continent in the world with these amazing facts about Europe. Some will surprise you, others will fascinate you, but most will have you eager to plan your next trip to Europe.
It is home to some of the oldest civilizations in the world, it's the birthplace of democracy, and it boasts more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other continent. Europe is a continent with a long, fascinating, and extremely important history.

It's also made up of fifty-one incredibly diverse countries, some of which top the list of the most popular travel destinations in the world. From the twinkling lights in Paris, to the fjords in Scandinavia and the beaches of Spain, the continent has a lot to offer. And all of this packed into such a small space!

Whether you choose to explore the stunning French Riviera or spend a weekend in Prague, Europe has something for everyone.

Are you keen to learn more? These facts about Europe will take you on a journey through ancient history, weird country laws, and surprising accolades.

Basic Europe Facts and Information

Before we dive into the weird and wonderful, cool and interesting European facts, let's get some of the basics out of the way. Here are some must-know facts and pieces of information about Europe.

1) Europe is the second smallest continent in size. It is 3,825,730 square miles which is a third of the size of Africa.

2) Despite the continent being the second-smallest continent by area, it has the third-largest population with around 748 million people.

3) The continent is shared by fifty-one countries but only 44 sovereign states. There are a couple of trans-continental countries that span over Europe and Asia, such as Russia and Turkey.

4) The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 countries, from which the United Kingdom recently left.

5) Europe is entirely in the northern hemisphere and most of the continent's landmass is in the eastern hemisphere. This is ironic as the continent, along with America, is often referred to as 'the west.'

6) It is believed that the name 'Europe' is derived from Greek mythology. Apparently, Zeus fell in love with a Phoenician princess, Europa

Interesting Facts About Europe History

Europe has a long and fascinating history. It is the birthplace of many of the modern social and political systems that we still live by today. Here is an interesting fact about Europe: the first settlement of modern humans in Europe occurred around 50,000 calendar years ago. Keen to know more historical facts about Europe? Keep reading.

7) The first human-like beings are thought to have arrived in Europe 1.8 million years ago.

8) The 27th century BC saw the emergence of the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.

9) Fast forward hundreds of years to the 7th Century BC when ancient Greece emerged. It was here, in ancient Europe, that democracy was developed.

10) From the 14th to the 17th century, the Renaissance period was a rebirth of art, philosophy, literature, and culture that occurred in Europe. This period is credited for bridging the gap between the Middle Ages and modern-day civilization.

11) The Industrial Revolution, one of the most important periods in history, began in Britain in the 18th century, spreading throughout the rest of Europe, and eventually Japan and the United States.

12) World War One was responsible for destroying four European empires. The war caused the breakdown of the German, Russian, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian empires.

Europe Facts for Kids

Check out these random and cool general knowledge facts about Europe that kids will love!

13) Do you love volcanoes? Well, Italy has two active volcanoes: Mount Etna and Mount Vesuvius.

14) There are 270 species of mammals in Europe. The coolest ones include wolves, bears, and lynx. Unfortunately, these are all endangered along with 15% of the mammals in Europe.

15) Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, is still being built - construction started in 1882 and is ongoing today. In fact, the famous landmark is officially taking longer to construct than the Pyramids.

16) There are more bicycles than there are people in the Netherlands.

17) If your favorite meal is a Big Mac then you should visit Germany. It's the country with the most Macdonald's branches in Europe.

18) Spain is bananas! It's not only an awesome country in Europe to visit, but it also grows 60% of the continent's bananas.

20) The oldest zoo in the world is found in Europe. The zoo is located in Vienna, Austria, and has existed since 1752.

Weird Europe Facts

There are some strange and fascinating facts about Europe that will leave you scratching your head. Check out these 5 facts about Europe to see what I mean.

20) Are you looking for one of the few places in the world that don't have mosquitoes? There are only two places in the world that are completely mosquito-free - Antarctica and Iceland. You probably can't wait to plan a mosquito-free trip to the beautiful European country. If you're camping anywhere else in Europe, though, don't forget your bug spray.

21) In Switzerland, it's illegal to mow your lawns on Sundays. You're also not allowed to build anything or hang your clothes out to dry in a place that's visible to the public. Noise and household chores are not allowed to mess up your, or your neighbors, chilled Sundays. Sounds amazing, doesn't it?

22) If you have a baby in Denmark you'll have to choose a name from an approved list. There are 7000 names on the list, so you should find something you like.

23) Say this ten times fast: Llanfairpwll-gwyngyllgogerychwyrndrob-wllllantysiliogogogoch. No this isn't some cruel tongue twister, it's a town in Wales with 57 letters.

24) Europe is not only the home to extremely long town names but also very short ones. You'll find villages in Scandinavia that are just one letter long. For example, the village ' Ö ' that translates to 'island'.

Fun Facts About Europe

These Europe fun facts will give you a little more insight into the amazing continent. From the most visited landmarks to the wildlife residents, learn more here.

25) An estimated 39% of the land area in Europe is either grassland or farmland used for growing crops.

26) Europe boasts five out of the top ten tourist destinations in the world. Can you guess which tourist destination sits at number one? Paris, France! Millions of people flock to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and to experience the romantic City of Lights and Love.

27) In fact, the Louvre is the most visited attraction in Europe. Could it be the famous Mona Lisa that attracts so many visitors?

28) Belgium is famous for producing the best in the world (don't tell that to the Swiss). Well, more chocolate is bought at Brussels Airport than anywhere else in the world - over 800 tonnes every year!

29) The largest church in Europe is St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City.

30) Eleven countries in Europe have royal families. These monarchies include the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Spain, Andorra, Monaco, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Lichtenstein.

31) We have Europe to thank for 44% of the world's wine. The biggest wine producers in Europe are France, Italy, and Spain.

32) Volkswagen is the biggest company in Europe in terms of revenue, and one of the largest in the world.

33) The tallest building in Europe is 1,516 feet high and is located in St Petersburg in Russia.

Facts About European Countries

Want to know some cool facts about the individual countries that make up Europe? There are some pretty fascinating accolades that European countries hold.

34) The three largest countries in Europe are Russia, the Ukraine, and France. The part of Russia that is found in Europe is bigger than any other country on the continent!

35) The largest city in Europe that is located entirely in Europe is Moscow, Russia (no surprise there). Istanbul is slightly larger but the city spans both Asia and Europe.

36) The smallest country in Europe, and the world, is the Vatican City. It is the smallest both by land area and population.

37) There is a tiny town in Croatia that has a population of only 30 residents! Hum is not only the smallest town in Europe but the world.

38) Europe is home to the most densely populated country in the world - Monaco. The country is smaller than Central Park in New York and more than 32% of its population are millionaires.

39) The northernmost town in the world is located in Norway, Europe. Longyearbyen (that's a mouthful) is 78 degrees north.

40) The world's northernmost capital city, Reykjavik, is located in Europe in the country of Iceland.

41) You'll find the largest landlocked country in the world in Europe - Kazakhstan. The country is in the top 10 largest countries in the world and the only one on that list that is landlocked.

42) The oldest monarchy in Europe is the Kingdom of Denmark. It was founded in 935 by Viking kings.

43) If you love visiting old castles then you should plan a trip to the Czech Republic. The country has the most castles in Europe - a whopping 932!

44) The Republic of San Marino is the oldest independent state in Europe. It's been around since 301 AD.

45) The oldest European country name is Bulgaria. The country has been named Bulgaria since 681 AD.

Cool Facts About Europe Geography

So, you know that the European continent is in the northern hemisphere, but do you know how tall the highest peak is, or where the longest river is located? Here is all you need to know about European geography.

46) The highest mountain in Europe is part of the Caucasus mountain range in Russia. Mount Elbrus is 18,510 feet.

47) The longest and highest mountain range that is located entirely in Europe is the Alps. The tallest peak, Mont Blanc, sits on the border of Italy and France and is 15,781 feet.

48) Russia seems to be taking a lot of the titles in Europe, and it also is home to the longest river on the continent. The Volga River is 2,295 miles long.

49) The country has the longest river and highest mountain, so it's hardly a surprise that Russia is also home to the largest lake in Europe. Lake Ladoga is the largest lake in Europe and one of the biggest freshwater lakes in the world.

50) The Danube River flows through ten countries and is the second-longest river in Europe at 1,777 miles long. It's the most important commercial waterway on the continent.

51) Norway has a 62,000-mile-long coastline - the longest coastline in Europe and the second-longest in the world.

52) Europe isn't all snow-capped peaks and glacial lakes. There's a rainforest on the continent, too. Located in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Perućica Rainforest is Europe's last jungle and is strictly protected.

European Culture Facts

With so many countries in Europe, the continent has a colorful mix of diverse cultures. It is also home to some of the oldest civilizations, so tradition and culture are very strong and revered throughout Europe. Check out these European culture facts and find out what it means to be European.

53) There are 24 official languages in Europe but more like 200 languages that are actually spoken on the continent.

54) Most of these languages originate from the Romance languages, the Germanic languages, or the Slavic languages.

55) Christianity is the biggest religion in Europe.

56) Europeans love chocolate. In fact, they are responsible for consuming 50% of the world's chocolate.

57) Tomatoes didn't arrive in Europe until the 16th century but now are a staple ingredient in plenty of European countries' cuisines.

58) We have Rome to thank for the celebration of Christmas, which became a major event in the 9th century. Christmas in Europe is a magical affair. Towns across the continent come alive with Christmas markets, lights, and decorations.

Further Reading

Are you loving these facts about Europe? Why not take a deep dive into individual countries' idiosyncrasies, information, and fun facts? Check out these posts with interesting facts about some of Europe's most popular destinations.

Now You Know All About Europe, It's Time to Plan a Trip

Wow. On a visit to Europe, you can visit the smallest and the largest countries in the world, hear the cacophony of 200 languages and see the top tourist destinations in the world.

So why not head off to explore Europe and experience all these awesome facts for yourself? You'll probably learn a couple more intriguing and surprising things along the way!

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50+ Cool & Interesting Facts About Europe That You'll Love - Jones Around The World

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Get to know the most densely populated continent in the world with these amazing facts about Europe. Some will surprise you, others will fascinate you, but most will have you eager to plan your next trip to Europe.

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Languages of the world is a learning channel that emphasizes on learning words in different languages. Learn how to say in different languages , simple words that you can easily learn and impress your friends by talking to them in 30 languages!Learn how to pronounce words in other languages that we use every day.
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How To Say Hello in 30 Different Languages

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10 Of The Most Luxurious Hotels In Europe

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25 Interesting Facts about Europe - Demetris Christodoulides

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25 Interesting Facts About Europe That Most People Don’t Know

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From the skull and bones at the top of a pirate ship to a white flag on a battlefield, a single piece of fabric can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. Depending on where they fly, flags can represent freedom or control, danger or safety.

In the context of modern times, flags are best known as national symbols - and they're used to air a country's past, present, and future vision all rolled into one.

The Meaning of Flags

Today's infographic from Just the Flight looks at some the world's most iconic flags, and the intricate stories and ideals that can be found in their designs.

The Americas

Since 1777, the star-spangled banner of the United States has gone through several facelifts. The current version has been in use since Hawaii gained statehood in 1960. Puerto Rico has been voting to become the 51st state in recent years - and if the U.S. government proved to accept such a resolution, the flag would be amended once more.

The largest country in South America, Brazil adopted its flag design in 1889. The primarily green background represents its lush Amazonian forest while the yellow diamond signifies its wealth in gold. Meanwhile, the Portuguese slogan on the flag, Ordem e Progresso, is a nod to democracy.

Europe

Denmark holds the Guinness world record for the oldest continuous use of their national flag, since 1625. The Danish flag is known as the Dannebrog, or Danish Cloth - as legend has it, the Dannebrog 'miraculously' fell from the sky in a battle during the Northern Crusades.

The Union Jack of the United Kingdom combines aspects of three older national flags and was adopted in 1801. Displaying the flag upside down is considered lèse-majesté - "to do wrong to majesty", or an insult to the Crown - and is offensive to some.

Asia and Oceania

India's tricolor flag was first flown in 1923. However, the colors do not represent religions or hours in the day - saffron symbolizes indifference to material gains, the white band represents light while the navy blue Dharma Chakra (wheel of truth) depicts dynamic change, and green demonstrates the country's relationship to nature.

New Zealand's flag features elements from the British Commonwealth. Since 2015, there have been ongoing debates among Kiwis about whether to amend the flag's design. Frequent confusion with Australia is a significant pro for change, but national identity and financial costs are strong arguments against it.

Nepal is the only country without a rectangular (or square) national flag. The two triangles pay tribute to its geographic location in the Himalayas as well as the Shah and Rana dynasties. The sun and moon symbols on the flag used to have human faces on them, but were removed in 1962.

Africa

South Africa boasts one of the world's most colorful flags. When it was first adopted after Nelson Mandela's release from prison, it was the first world flag to have six colors but no seal or brocade. Interestingly, while there is no inherent meaning in its colors, the Y shape symbolizes the convergence of diverse elements and societal unity.

Mozambique is the only national flag in the world to feature a modern weapon - specifically, an AK-47 with an attached bayonet. Adopted in 1983, the rifle represents vigilance and defense, while the hoe crossing it represents the country's agriculture.

In 2021, we live in a time of relative peace, however, as this map reveals, that does not mean there are no conflicts in the world today.

We live in an era of relative peace compared to most of history, however, this does not mean that there are no conflicts in the world today.

This map using data from the Council on Foreign Relations ( CFR) reveals where the world's 27 ongoing conflicts are today, and what type of conflicts they are.
Note: conflicts are categorized by definitions laid out by the CFR.
Detailing the Conflicts

Many people alive today have never lived through a war on their country's soil, especially those in the West. But conflict, wars, and violence are by no means things of the past.

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project ( ACLED), as of Q2'2021 alone:

Violence against civilians resulted in over 5,000 deaths worldwide

Battle related deaths numbered over 18,000

Explosion/remote violence led to more than 4,000 deaths

Riots resulted in over 600 fatalities

Most of the world's conflicts are concentrated in Asia and Africa and the most common forms are territorial disputes and civil wars. While terrorism often strikes fear in people, only three of the world's ongoing conflicts are linked to terrorism, according to the CFR.

Conflict Name

Type

Countries Involved

South China Sea Disputes

Territorial Disputes

🇨🇳 China
🇻🇳 Vietnam
🇵🇭 Philippines

As an example of a more typical conflict, Myanmar's civil unrest began in February 2020 when the military overthrew the democratically elected government and arrested the country's leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The civilian population has been protesting heavily but to no avail. According to a BBC report, more than 860 people have been killed and around 5,000 have been detained.

This is just one of the many examples of persistent violence today including recent events like Mexico's midterm election violence, Ethiopia's fighting in the country's Tigray region, and the fighting between Israel and Palestine over the Sheikh Jarrah evictions.

Finally, though the United States military has now withdrawn from Afghanistan, and the Taliban has taken control of the country, the outlook for the country remains uncertain.

War and Peace

While there are conflicts today, deaths from violence and wars have and wars have decreased over time. For example, battle death rates in state-based conflicts have reduced significantly in a period from 1946 to 2016.

However, according to the UN, although battle related deaths have been decreasing, the number of conflicts occurring in the last few years has actually been on the rise (they have simply remained less deadly). Most conflicts have been waged by non-state actors, like organized criminal groups and political militias.

The UN found that the most common causes of conflict today are:

Regional tensions

Breakdowns in the rule of law

Co-opted or absent state institutions

Illicit economic gain

Scarcity of resources exacerbated by climate change

Traditional war between countries and war-related deaths may be becoming a thing of the past, but the threat of violence is still very real. Many countries know this as they continue to build up armies and spend significant amounts on military and defense.

The Future of Warfare

War and conflict are still extremely relevant in the 21st century and impact millions of people. However, traditional warfare may be changing its shape and may become less deadly as a result.

For instance, issues like climate change will create further exacerbations on conflicts, and new forms of technological and cyber warfare could threaten countries' elections and manipulate populations.

How big is the world's nuclear arsenal? Here are the stockpiles of the nine countries with nuclear weapons.

In theory, nuclear weapon stockpiles are closely held national secrets. The leading countries have rough estimates that aren't regularly updated, newly nuclear countries keep their capabilities vague and unclear, and Israel has never officially confirmed a nuclear weapons program.

But thanks to limited disclosures, records, and leaks, we can visualize the full extent* of the world's nuclear arsenal. This graphic uses estimated nuclear warhead inventories from the Federation of American Scientists as of August 2021.

Based on these estimates, there are just nine countries with nuclear weapons in the world.
Editor's note: Exact numbers of nuclear warheads possessed by countries are closely guarded state secrets, with the FAS estimate being the closest, most-used, and most-trusted international approximation available.
Nuclear Weapons, by Country

The nuclear arms race has always centered around the U.S. and Russia.

After the end of World War II and well into the Cold War, the world's two superpowers raced to build more nuclear weapons (and more capable nuclear weapons) than the other.

Even while international organizations lobbied for the end of nuclear proliferation, the world's nuclear weapon stockpile grew to a peak of 70,300 total warheads in 1986.

As arms agreements and non-proliferation treaties started to gain greater momentum, the U.S. and Russia cut back on stockpiles while new countries with nuclear weapons started to pop up.

Country

Total Warheads (2021)

% of Total

Despite reducing their stockpiles significantly since the end of the Cold War, Russia and the U.S. still own around 90% of all nuclear warheads in the world.

Far behind them are China and France, which started testing nuclear weapons in 1964 and 1960 respectively. The UK has the fifth-most nuclear weapons today, though it was the third country in the world to develop them after the U.S. and Russia in 1952.

The countries with fewer than 200 nuclear weapons are regional rivals India and Pakistan, which first tested nuclear weapons in the 1970s, and North Korea, which began to operate uranium fabrication plants and conduct explosive tests in the 1980s.

Israel is also estimated to have fewer than 200 nuclear weapons, and reports have its weapons program dating back to the 1960s. However, the country has never confirmed or announced its nuclear capabilities.

Countries With Nuclear Weapons, by Warhead Status

Though the world has 13,132 nuclear weapons, that doesn't mean they're all ready to fire.

Weapons (or "warheads") are delivered by missile, and countries don't keep all of their nuclear warheads primed for use. The estimation of nuclear stockpiles also clarifies whether warheads are considered deployed, reserved, or retired:

Deployed warheads are deployed on intercontinental missiles, at heavy bomber bases, and on bases with operational short-range delivery systems.

Reserve warheads are in storage and not deployed on launchers.

Retired warheads are still intact but in queue for dismantlement.

Country

Deployed Warheads

Reserve Warheads

Retired Warheads

Only four countries have officially deployed warheads, while the majority of the world's nuclear stockpile is in reserve. This is partially due to estimates ranging from relatively transparent in the case of the U.S. to opaque and uncertain for countries like China and North Korea.

But some countries are expected to further bolster their stockpiles. The UK government announced it would increase its stockpile to no more than 260 warheads, and U.S. intelligence expects China, India, and Pakistan to increase their stockpiles.

Though the world's nuclear stockpile will likely continue dwindling on account of U.S. and Russia retirements, the 2021 landscape of countries with nuclear weapons shows that proliferation is still underway.

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The Visual Meaning Behind 24 of the World's Most Iconic Flags

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From the skull and bones at the top of a pirate ship to a white flag on a battlefield, a single piece of fabric can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. Depending on where they fly, flags can represent freedom or control, danger or safety.

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10 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Cyprus!

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10 Reasons Why You Need to Visit Cyprus!

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