Definition of Europe

The definition of Europe varies depending on the geographical, cultural, and political context. Below, we examine the concept of Europe from different perspectives.

Geographical Definition

Geographically, Europe is defined as the western part of the Eurasian continent. Its primary boundaries are as follows:

• North: Arctic Ocean
• West: Atlantic Ocean
• South: Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
• East: Ural Mountains, Ural River, and Caspian Sea (border between Russia and Kazakhstan)

Key details of the eastern boundary:

• The eastern slope of the Ural Mountains to the northern shores of the Caspian Sea forms a clear boundary.
• The Bosporus Strait (Turkey) is a pivotal dividing point between Europe and Asia.
• The Caucasus Mountains serve as the southeastern boundary.

Cultural and Historical Definition

Europe, as the birthplace of Western civilization, holds significant cultural characteristics:

Influence of Ancient Civilizations:

• Heritage of Greek and Roman civilizations
• Foundations of philosophy, arts, and legal systems

Religious Background:

• Christian culture (particularly Catholicism and Protestantism)
• Influence of Eastern Orthodoxy

Intellectual Development

• Humanism during the Renaissance
• Enlightenment ideals and rationalism
• Modernization through the Industrial Revolution

Political and Institutional Definition

In contemporary political contexts, Europe is primarily defined by the following international organizations:

EU：European Union

• A political and economic union of 27 member states:
  Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
• Implements a single market and common policies.
• Membership criteria establish clear boundaries.

CE：Council of Europe

• Comprising 46 member states (formerly 47 until Russia’s expulsion in March 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine):
  Examples: Iceland, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Italy, Ukraine, Georgia, Switzerland, Turkey, and more.
• Promotes human rights and the rule of law.
• Adopts a broader definition of Europe.

NATO：North Atlantic Treaty Organization

• A military alliance of 32 countries across Europe and North America (Sweden joined in 2024):
  Examples: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden, and more.
• Influences the geopolitical definition of the “West.”

Statistical Definitions by International Organizations

Various international organizations adopt unique regional classifications for Europe:

United Nations (UN) Classifications:

• Eastern Europe: Belarus, Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Ukraine
• Western Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland
• Southern Europe: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Spain
• Northern Europe: Iceland, Ireland, United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden

World Bank and OECD Classifications:

• Central and Eastern Europe: Countries influenced by Soviet-style socialism during the Cold War, such as Poland, Hungary, and the Balkans.
• Western Europe: Historically developed regions central to the European Union.
• Northern Europe: Includes Scandinavian and Baltic countries known for high living standards.
• Southern Europe: Includes Mediterranean countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece.

Special Cases of Boundary Areas

Some countries and regions occupy unique positions in relation to Europe:

1. Turkey
   • Includes European territory (e.g., Istanbul).
   • Candidate for EU membership.
   • Acts as a cultural bridge.
2. Russia
   • European territory west of the Ural Mountains.
   • Historical ties with Europe.
   • Claims its own civilizational identity.
3. Caucasus Countries
   • Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan
   • Positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
   • Members of the Council of Europe.

Challenges and Perspectives

The definition of Europe continues to evolve due to:

• Globalization blurring boundaries.
• Changes in population demographics through migration.
• Expansion and deepening of the EU.
• Responses to new geopolitical challenges.

Europe’s definition intertwines geographical, cultural, political, and economic elements. Selecting the appropriate definition depends on the context.

European Countries: Membership in International Organizations

Using the UN regional classification, the following table categorizes European countries by region, indicating their membership in the EU, Council of Europe (CE), and NATO (as of December 2024, marked with “◯”).

REGION	COUNTRY	EU Member	CE Member	NATO Member
Eastern Europe	Belarus		◯
	Bulgaria	◯	◯	◯
	Czech Republic	◯	◯	◯
	Hungary	◯	◯	◯
	Moldova		◯
	Poland	◯	◯	◯
	Romania	◯	◯	◯
	Russia
	Slovakia	◯	◯	◯
	Ukraine		◯
Northern Europe	Denmark	◯	◯	◯
	Estonia	◯	◯	◯
	Finland	◯	◯	◯
	Iceland		◯	◯
	Ireland	◯	◯
	Latvia	◯	◯	◯
	Lithuania	◯	◯	◯
	Norway		◯	◯
	Sweden	◯	◯	◯
	United Kingdom		◯	◯
Southern Europe	Albania		◯	◯
	Andorra		◯
	Bosnia and Herzegovina		◯
	Croatia	◯	◯	◯
	Cyprus	◯	◯
	Greece	◯	◯	◯
	Italy	◯	◯	◯
	Malta	◯	◯
	Montenegro		◯	◯
	North Macedonia		◯	◯
	Portugal	◯	◯	◯
	Slovenia	◯	◯	◯
	San Marino		◯
	Serbia		◯
	Spain	◯	◯	◯
Western Europe	Austria	◯	◯
	Belgium	◯	◯	◯
	France	◯	◯	◯
	Germany	◯	◯	◯
	Liechtenstein		◯
	Luxembourg	◯	◯	◯
	Monaco		◯
	Netherlands	◯	◯	◯
	Switzerland		◯
Others	Armenia	CEPA	◯
	Azerbaijan		◯
	Georgia (formerly known as Gruzia)	Request	◯	Request
	Kazakhstan
	Kosovo (subject to recognition issues)	Request
	Turkey	Candidate	◯	◯

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