Europe’s 11 biggest countries – full list of every one bigger than the UK | World | News
Despite being the world’s second-smallest continent, surpassing only Australia, Europe still boasts some huge countries, including, in fact, the largest country on Earth, making up roughly 35% of Europe’s entire landmass. Located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere, Europe is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south and the continent of Asia to the east.
Europe spans a significant distance, roughly 2,500 miles. It also covers approximately 3.9 million square miles, or 2% of the Earth’s surface, or 6.8% of the planet’s land area. Politically, Europe is divided into about 50 sovereign states and is home to a total population of about 745 million – about 10% of the world population, the third largest after Asia and Africa. Europe boasts an impressive range of climates and landscapes thanks to its diverse geography, from the snowy peaks of the Alps to fjords and glacial valleys in the north to the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean. Whatever type of holiday you are after, Europe most likely has an answer. Revealed below are Europe’s 11 biggest countries.
11. The UK – 93,629 square miles
Claiming the lowest spot on the list is the UK. Covering an area of 93,629 square miles, the UK comprises of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The UK includes the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern part of the island of Ireland and most of the smaller islands within the British Isles, including the Isles of Scilly off the coast of Cornwall, the Isle of Wight and the Isle of Skye in Scotland.
The UK’s estimated population was over 68.2 million in 2023, making it the 22nd-biggest country in the world by population.
(Image: Getty)
10. Italy – 116,629 square miles
Taking 10th place is the iconic boot-shaped country of Italy. The third-most populous member state of the EU with nearly 59 million inhabitants, Italy covers an area of 116,629 square miles.
The country consists of a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land border, as well as nearly 800 islands, including Sicily and Sardinia. It also shares land borders with two enclaves – Vatican City and San Marino.
Italy’s capital and largest city is Rome, but other major cities – and popular tourist destinations – include Milan, Naples, Palermo, Bologna, Florence, Genoa and Venice.
(Image: Getty)
9. Poland – 120,426 square miles
The Central European country of Poland claims ninth place. It extends from the Baltic Sea in the north to the Sudetes and Carpathian Mountains in the south. It is bordered by Lithuania and Russia to the northeast, Belarus and Ukraine to the east, Slovakia and the Czech Republic to the south and Germany to the west.
Poland is the fifth-most populous state in the EU, with over 38 million people.
The capital and largest city is Warsaw, with other major cities including Kraków, Wrocław, Łódź, Poznań and Gdańsk.
(Image: Getty)
8. Finland – 130,692 square miles
In eighth place is the Nordic country of Finland in Northern Europe. Covering 130,692 square miles, Finland shares borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bothnia – the northernmost arm of the Baltic Sea – to the west and the Gulf of Finland – the easternmost arm – to the south, opposite Estonia.
Finland has a population of 5.6 million, and its capital and largest city is Helsinki.
Its land is predominantly covered by boreal forest, or Taiga, with over 180,000 recorded lakes.
(Image: Getty)
