Ten interesting facts about Europe

New Delhi: Europe is the second smallest and third most populated continent in the world. It has 50 countries thus many mythologies and cultures have taken place in Europe. Here is the list of ten interesting facts about this continent:1.Significance of NameThis continent received it's name from a beautiful Phoenician princess in Greek mythology, Europa. Zeus, the King of the gods, saw her as she was gathering flowers by the sea and immediately fell in love with her. She was abducted by Zeus, who disguised himself as a magnificent white bull, and appeared on the sea shore, where the princess was playing.2.History of Statue of LibertyThe famous Statue of Liberty - the symbol of the United States and freedom - was actually constructed in France and given as a gift to the United States of America. 3. Currency and European Union The United Kingdom is still using their monetary unit, the British pound, while most of the countries are using the Euro. And not all of the countries in Europe are members of the European Union (only 27 of them). Croatia, Switzerland and Ukraine are some of those who did not support the ideals of the EU.4. The Meditteranean was once a Desert In the last 40 years evidence has been found that the Mediteranean sea dried up frequently, this was was known as the Messinian salinity crisis. It represents one of the most dramatic changes of environmental change outside glaciated areas.5. Largest and smallest country The Vatican is the smallest country which is just 0.44 sq km and Russia is the largest which comprises of 17,098,242 sq km.6. Istanbul the City of Two Continents Istanbul unites Asia and Europe through the Bosphorus river. Napoleon once said that if the earth was a single state Istanbul would be its capital.7. The Tallest Ferris Wheel in the World is Located in London It is known as the London Eye previously known as the Millennium wheel.8. The Longest Names Prepare yourself for some of the longest names. A village in Wales consist of 58 letters and the longest European one word name ,”Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch” which means “saint Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near a rapid whirlpool of the church of St.Tysilio of the red cave.9. Castles in Germany One of the most castle populated countries in the world is Germany. Some of these are hotels but most are occupied by the wealthy.10. Greatest EmpiresMany of the greatest empires in the world were based in Europe. The British empire was at one time the largest in the world. There was a saying that ” the sun never sets” on it because the sun was always shining in one part of the empire. It covered a quarter of the surface of the earth. Other notable empires were the Russian,Spanish,French and Roman.