Europe is the birthplace of some of the most famous civilizations in the world. It is the second smallest among the 7 continents of the world however, it takes third place in terms of size and population. As of March 2020, the current European population is 747, 520, 432 based on the United Nations estimate.
Europeans live in some of the most incredible places. In fact, 10% of the world’s population live in Europe. Let us get to know the facts about Europe’s most populated countries.
Top 5 Most Populated Countries in Europe
1. Russia
Russia is the largest country in the world and it is the largest country in both Asia and Europe. It makes up 10% of the world’s land mass. It has a total population of 143 million, making it the largest country in Europe in terms of population. Its capital city is Moscow, which is nearly 900 years serving as the capital of Russia.
One of its top landmark is the Kremlin, or otherwise known as the fortress, that houses museums and the president of the Russian Federation. On one side, the view of the majestic St. Basil’s Cathedral can be seen.
Aside from its top landmarks, this country has abundant natural resources – largest forest areas and largest water bodies. It is where Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater reservoir in the world, can be found. It is also one of the largest producers of renewable energy, natural gas and oil in the world.
The country’s official language is Russian. It uses the Cyrillic script or alphabet which is composed of 33 letters. Although Russian is their official language, there are some citizens who speak other languages such as English, German, or French.
2. Germany
Germany, also called Deutschland in the German language, is the second most populated country in Europe. Its total population is 82 million, nearly 60% of the total population of Russia. Berlin, the biggest city, is the capital city of Germany. Aside from Berlin, major cities in Germany include Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.
Germany is the “Land of Poets and Thinkers”. This is where art flourishes, and most importantly classical music. One of its famous composers and musicians include Beethoven, Johann Bach, and Richard Wagner. Not only do they excel in the field of arts, Germany is also home to the renowned Albert Einstein, a Noble prize in Physics awardee.
Germany is a member of the European Union, an economic and political union among member countries in Europe. It also has the largest national economy all over Europe as most of the large companies including Adidas, BMW, Volkswagen, and Mercedes Benz are operating in this country.
Today, 1 out 10 people in Germany are from other countries. The largest group of minority are the Turkish, who migrated in Germany to work during the 1950s.
3. Turkey
Turkey is located in both continents of Asia and Europe. It serves as a bridge for both continents, although the majority of its area is situated in Asia. Turkey is an earthquake-prone country and has suffered a total of 13 earthquakes over the last 70 years.
The total population of Turkey is 81 million which is almost the same as that of Germany, making third most populated country in Europe. Istanbul, Turkey’s capital and biggest city is a captivating place jam-packed with colorful mosques, markets, and rich history. Istanbul is also the third most populated urban vicinities in Europe.
Top attractions in Turkey include the Bosporus, a natural strait, that separates Europe and Asia. Another interesting fact about Turkey is that it has 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Aphrodisias, the Archeological Site of Troy, Ephesus, and many more. It also has the ecumenical Hagia Sophia that has been a Greek Orthodox Christian cathedral or basilica, then an imperial mosque and now it has become a museum.
It also has one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar. This bazaar has been in operation since 1461.
4. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom, also known as the UK, is a group of islands in one of the largest coastlines of Europe. It includes the countries in the British Isles, namely Northern Ireland, Wales, England, and Scotland. It is habituated by 66 million people, almost half the total population of Russia. Its capital city is London with over 9 million inhabitants.
The form of government in the UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government. This means that they have a reigning monarch, King or Queen, who lives in Buckingham Palace. The UK is also a member of the European Union.
If Germany is the Land of Poets and Thinkers, then the UK is the Land of Great Writers. It has formed part of the development of Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare known for his classics Romeo and Juliet, and the famous writer of Harry Potter, J.K Rowling.
The people who live in the UK are also called British. Their official language is English.
5. France
France is from the Latin word “Francia”, meaning the “Country of the Franks”. It has a total population of 65 million which is almost the same as that of the United Kingdom, making it the fifth populous country in Europe. Its capital city is Paris, a city loaded to the top with culture, history, great food, and high fashion.
The most iconic structure and one of Europe’s wonders is the Eiffel Tower that soars above the city skyline of Paris. This contributes to the country’s highest number of tourists and visitors with an average of 80 million a year. Another sight to see is the Louvre, which displays the famous Mona Lisa painting. The Louvre is also one of the most visited museums in the world.
Another exciting activity that France hosts is the “Tour de France”. This is the world’s famous bicycle race which started in 1903. This gives a break for the racers to wind around the French landscape.
The language spoken in France is French. This language is the second major language in Europe. Just like Germany and the United Kingdom, France is a member of the European Union.
Conclusion
Europe is built with more than just incredible places and people. It is home to over 747 million people in a total of 47 countries – from the largest island in the world, Greenland, to the smallest nation in the world, the Vatican City. Europe comprises about 12% of the total global population. Interestingly, it welcomes more than half of all the tourists from around the world. All there enjoying beautiful views of mountains and valleys, coastlines and skylines, full of incredible sights and fascinating cultures. No wonder the most visited continent in Earth is Europe.
I hope that this article on populated countries in Europe was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Country Rankings Page!
