Europe is the second smallest continent, after Australia, forming an extensive peninsula of the Eurasian land-mass, occupying 7% of the Earth's surface. Bounded North and Northeast by the Arctic Ocean, Northwest and West by the Atlantic Ocean, South by the Mediterranean Sea, and East by Asia beyond the Ural Mountains. Major rivers include the Volga (Europe's longest river at 3531km), Danube, Rhine, Rhône, Loire, and Tagus. Major mountain systems include the Alps, rising to 4807m at Mont Blanc; and the Pyrenees, rising to 3403m at Pico de Aneto.

In terms of population, it is the third-largest continent, after Asia and Africa, with a population of some 690,000,000 or about 11% of the world's population. However, the term continent can refer to a cultural and political distinction or a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europe's precise borders, area and population.

The European Union (EU), comprising 27 member states, is the largest political and economic entity by area and population covering the European continent, while Russia (excluding portions in Asia) is the second largest entity and largest country. The EU has the world's largest economy with an estimated nominal GDP of 14.2 trillion USD (2006) accounting for 35% of world GDP.