Europe is the smallest of the world's continents, covering only 6.5% of the Earth's land area. However, as a very urban continent, Europe has 12% of the world's population. Thanks to its highly developed infrastructure, technological progress and abundant capital reserves, Europe accounts for nearly one-third of the world's total production and international trade.
Geographical and climatic conditions vary greatly within Europe, which partly accounts for the continent's national and linguistic diversity. Europe comprises 45 independent countries, and almost 30 major languages are spoken in its area. Climatic conditions range from the marine west coast to the dry continental climate of inland Russia. In Northern Europe, the average temperature remains below zero Centigrade for several months, whereas the Mediterranean region can experience heat temperatures at the same time. The rich nature, interesting history, solid social conditions and good traffic connections contribute to the fact that almost 60% of international tourist trips are headed to Europe.
For thousands of years, Europe has been at the centre of the world's political, economic, military and educational developments. Thus, the attribute "the Old Continent" is quite accurate. Within Europe, however, the leading position has shifted around with the times. Before the beginning of our calendar, the leading power was ancient Greece, followed by the Roman Empire that, at its most prosperous point, reached all the way to Asia. After the beginning of our calendar, leadership shifted northwards, with France, Germany and Great Britain as the most powerful nations of their time. The voyages of discovery, starting from the 15th century, made Europe a true world power: in the 18th century, the majority of the known world was controlled by the European colonial powers.
Although Europe has been divided into several small states at all times, they have been united for nearly two millennia by Christianity and active mutual trade. This cultural unity has been threatened in some instances, as the Huns, Mongols and Moors all attempted to alter the European way of life.
In the 20th century, Europe experienced two world wars, which, together with the increasing strength of the United States, threatened the continent's leading position in the first half of the century. Political and military world leadership can be said to have shifted to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean by the end of the Second World War, and the fall of the Soviet Union has further affirmed the leading position of the United States.
After the Second World War, a range of measures towards European co-operation was initiated, and this has increasingly enhanced the political and economic unity of the continent. Due to the burden of the world wars, military co-operation has been strongly tied to the United States.