The name Europe is probably derived from Europa, mother of the legendary King Minos in Greek mythology. Europe is the cradle of the Occidental Civilization and the stage of scientific and cultural revolutions. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Europe was the most powerful region of the world.

Europe's population is superior to 822 million inhabitants and includes a large number of ethnic groups. The average annual growth rate for the European population, from 1985 to 1995, was only 0.28%, the least of all continents. The continent occupy approximately one-fifteenth of the world's total land area and is the home of a distinctive civilization. The stage for many empires.

The continent shelters the first biggest economic block of the Planet: the European Union, formed by 27 countries and about half billion people. Most countries adopt the same currency: the euro.