Europe has 47 countries, stretching from North America and back to North America as it encompasses Iceland and all of Russia.

Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea, and to the southeast by the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea.

European nations played a predominant role in global affairs from the 16th century onwards, especially after the beginning of colonization controlling most of Africa, the Americas and large portions of Asia. World War I and World War II led to a decline in European dominance in world affairs as the United States and Soviet Union took preeminence.

* Countries in the European Union.
** Countries in the United Kingdom.