Russia is the largest country in Europe, and also the largest in the world, its total size amounting to 17 million square kilometers (km2). It should be noted, however, that over three quarters of Russia is located in Asia, and the Ural mountains are often viewed as the meeting point of the two continents in Russia; nonetheless, European Russia is still significantly larger than any other European country. Ukraine, the second largest country on the continent, is only 603,000 km2, making it about 28 times smaller than its eastern neighbor, or seven times smaller than the European part of Russia. France is the third largest country in Europe, but the largest in the European Union. The Vatican City, often referred to as the Holy Sea, is both the smallest country in Europe and in the world, at just one km2.
Population
Russia is also the most populous country in Europe. It has around 144 million inhabitants across the country; in this case, around three quarters of the population live in the European part, which still gives it the largest population in Europe. Despite having the largest population, Russia is a very sparsely populated country due to its size and the harsh winters. Germany is the second most populous country in Europe, with 83 million inhabitants, while the Vatican has the smallest population. Worldwide, India and China are the most populous countries, with approximately 1.4 billion inhabitants each.
Cities
Moscow in Russia is ranked as the most populous city in Europe with around 13 million inhabitants, although figures vary, due to differences in the methodologies used by countries and sources. Some statistics include Istanbul in Turkey* as the largest city in Europe with its 15 million inhabitants, bit it has been excluded here as most of the country and parts of the city is located in Asia. Worldwide, Tokyo is the most populous city, with Jakarta the second largest and Delhi the third.
Countries in Europe, by area
(in square kilometers)
Similarly to Russia, Turkey is located in both Europe and Asia, however it has not been included in the graph as over 97 percent of its landmass, and around 90 percent of its population is located in Asia.
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World Population Review. (March 6, 2024). Countries in Europe, by area (in square kilometers) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1277259/countries-europe-area/
World Population Review. "Countries in Europe, by area (in square kilometers)." Chart. March 6, 2024. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1277259/countries-europe-area/
World Population Review. (2024). Countries in Europe, by area (in square kilometers). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1277259/countries-europe-area/
World Population Review. "Countries in Europe, by Area (in Square Kilometers)." Statista, Statista Inc., 6 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1277259/countries-europe-area/
World Population Review, Countries in Europe, by area (in square kilometers) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1277259/countries-europe-area/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Countries in Europe, by area (in square kilometers) [Graph], World Population Review, March 6, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1277259/countries-europe-area/