Countries in Europe

The United Nations recognizes 44 sovereign states in Europe. However, this count can increase to 50 or more when including transcontinental nations like Turkey and Kazakhstan, or partially recognized territories like Kosovo. The total number varies depending on whether the definition is based on purely geographical, political, or cultural criteria.

Russia is the largest country in Europe, with its European territory covering approximately 3,969,100 km² (1,532,500 sq mi). This area alone accounts for roughly 40 percent of the entire continent. Ukraine is the largest country located entirely within European borders, covering 603,628 km² (233,062 sq mi).

There are currently 27 member states in the European Union. These countries participate in a political and economic union that allows for the free movement of goods, services, and people. While many EU members use the Euro, several nations like Poland and Sweden retain their own national currencies.

Five countries are considered transcontinental, meaning they have territory in both Europe and Asia: Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Russia's European portion is home to the majority of its population, while Turkey's European section, known as East Thrace, contains a significant part of Istanbul's metropolitan area.

Vatican City is the smallest country in Europe and the world, covering just 0.44 km² (0.17 sq mi). It is followed by Monaco, which spans approximately 2.02 km² (0.78 sq mi). Other microstates include San Marino, Liechtenstein, and Andorra, all of which are smaller than many major global cities.