| Europe is home to 15% of the world's population. The area includes Eastern and Western Europe, as well as European Russia. The continent of Europe is connected to the continent of Asia. Unlike other geographically separated continents, Europe is considered
its own continent because of historical reasons. Europe is surrounded by water on all but its eastern side, where it borders Asia. On the north, the Barents Sea bounds Europe, to the south is the Mediterranean Sea, and on the western coast is the Atlantic Ocean.Many different geographical features form the continent. The coastline
consists of many peninsulas, fjords, and islands. Europe is a highly complex home to people of many different nationalities. The continent has long been an important shaper of the world, and remains highly prosperous today. Now, many nations of Europe have joined together to form the European Union. Cooperation between the countries may make the enforcement of environmental laws easier, and could assist in the signing of environmental treaties.
Ministers of the Environment from nations across Europe met at Dobríš Castle, Czechoslovakia, in 1991 to identify the challenges the continent faced. They determined that the most major problems the continent would have to deal with are climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, the loss of biodiversity, major accidents, acidification, tropospheric ozone and other
photochemical oxidants, the management of fresh water, forest degradation, coastal zone threats and management, waste reduction and management, urban stress, and chemical risks. Europe - Biodiversity Issues
Europe - Economic Aspects
Europe - Major Forest Problems
Europe - Major Land Problems
Europe - Major Water Problems
Europe - Marine Environments
Europe - National Projects
Europe - Regional Projects
Europe - Social Aspects |
