The link between these peninsulas has made Europe a dominant economic, social, and cultural force throughout recorded history.Įurope’s physical geography, environment and resources, and human geography can be considered separately. Europe is a peninsula of the Eurasian supercontinent and is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Mediterranean, Black, and Caspian seas to the south.Įurope’s main peninsulas are the Iberian, Italian, and Balkan, located in southern Europe, and the Scandinavian and Jutland, located in northern Europe. The name Europe may also come from combining the Greek roots eur- (wide) and - op (seeing) to form the phrase “wide-gazing.”Įurope is often described as a “ peninsula of peninsulas.” A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. The name Europe, or Europa, is believed to be of Greek origin, as it is the name of a princess in Greek mythology.
