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Throughout its extensive history, this city has witnessed the rise and fall of formidable empires across the globe. As Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “If the Earth were a single state, Istanbul would surely be its capital.”
And for the adventurous traveler, one of the most surprising experiences to have on a European trip is indulging in an Asian breakfast and having lunch right in Istanbul – a truly Eurasian delight.
- Home to many famous and still active volcanoes
Mount Etna, the largest volcano in Europe, remains active to this day. Standing at a maximum height of approximately 3350m, Mount Etna is a stratovolcano located on the eastern coast of Sicily, Italy.
This towering volcano in Europe is truly one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Etna unexpectedly came to life last year, with one of the recent eruptions occurring at the end of this past July.
Stromboli is also one of the most vigorously active volcanoes on Earth. It is one of the eight Aeolian Islands and is an offshore volcanic archipelago. According to experts, before Etna's awakening, Stromboli was considered the only active volcano on the European mainland.
Additionally, there is another dormant volcano that has left a significant mark. Sixty-seven years ago, in 1944, Mount Vesuvius famously erupted, completely destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy.
- The largest and smallest countries in the world
Europe takes pride in having the tiny state of Vatican and a portion of the vast territory of Russia. According to the CIA World Factbook, Russia's total area reaches 17,098,242 km2, while the Vatican's area is merely 0.44 km2. Despite being the smallest country in the world, Vatican is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- The Merry Cemetery in Romania
When it comes to cemeteries, there are hardly any cheerful or entertaining words to describe them, but in the northern part of Romania, in the town of Sapanta, there is such an unusual cemetery. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Merry Cemetery is also a tourist attraction. What's unusual here? It's the unconventional designs of the tombstones. They are hand-painted with vibrant colors like red, blue, yellow, purple, adorned with humorous, concise descriptions of the deceased's life or circumstances.
This tradition began with the artist Stan Ioan Patras from Romania. He specialized in carving crosses in 1935. According to the ancient culture of the Dacians, the ancestors of the Romans, they considered death as liberation and the soul as immortal, so the people of Sapanta always maintain a positive attitude towards death and welcome it with a smile.
- The Statue of Liberty: A Gift from France
Many are unaware that the iconic Statue of Liberty in New York City, USA, was designed by the French architect Frédéric Bartholdi. This monumental sculpture, built in the neoclassical style, was constructed in France and presented to the United States as a symbol of friendship between the two nations. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the brilliant engineer behind the Eiffel Tower's grandeur, provided the steel framework for this colossal statue.
The total height of the statue is 93 meters, and the 7 rays on the Statue of Liberty's crown symbolize the 7 continents across the globe.
- The Significance of “Europe”
If you love and have the opportunity to experience a European tour, then you must not overlook the significance that shapes the name of this beautiful land.
According to ancient Greek mythology, Europa was a beautiful princess, the daughter of King Agenor and Queen Telephassa of Libya. Captivated by her beauty, the supreme god Zeus transformed himself into a white bull to play with her and gain her trust. As soon as the princess climbed onto the bull's back, she was immediately carried to the island of Crete. Here, she married King Asterion, also a manifestation of the god Zeus, and they had three children together. To express his deep affection for Europa, Zeus decided to name a vast continent after her, and it has endured to this day. Literally translated, Europe has its origins in ancient Greece and means vast.
- The Mediterranean Sea was once a desert
Over the past 40 years, there is evidence that the Mediterranean Sea was completely devoid of water in the past. This event is also known as the Messinian Salinity Crisis. This remarkable discovery is recounted in “The Mediterranean was a desert, The Glomar Challenge Expedition,” written by Kenneth J. Hsu.
According to Rob Butler, “The Mediterranean Salt Crisis is one of the most prominent examples of environmental changes outside the polar regions about six million years ago.
- The Mightiest Empires
European history has witnessed the existence of many of the mightiest empires of ancient times, with the United Kingdom being a prime example. At its peak, the British Empire, spanning 36 million square kilometers and a population of approximately 480 to 570 million people. During the height of the British Empire, it was often said, “The sun never sets on the British Empire,” indicating Britain's extensive colonial domination worldwide, covering about a quarter of the Earth's surface.
Additionally, there were other prestigious empires such as the Spanish Empire, the Russian Empire, the French Empire,..The Roman Empire, a prehistoric colonial empire, often described as the cradle of modern civilization, is one of the most successful empires in world history.
- The Longest Names
Apart from the presence of famous landmarks and beautiful promised lands, a European tour also allows travelers to marvel at places with impressively long names that linger in everyone's memory. One such village in Wales, United Kingdom, boasts a name with 58 letters, making it the longest place name in Europe. Llanfairpwllgwyllgogerychwyrndrobwllantysiliogogogoch, meaning “St Mary's Church in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio”.
Let's take a look at other peculiar names like: Ateritsiputeritsipuolilautatsijanka in Finland, Siemieniakowszczyzna in Portugal, and Newtownmountkennedy located in Ireland.
- The Age of Migration
This remains one of the most enigmatic events in European history. There was a period commonly referred to as the Migration Period when various tribes migrated to Europe to settle.
The initial phase of the migration movement ended around 500 years after AD, when Germanic tribes (Franks, Goths, Saxons, Vandals, Lombards, etc.) established their own kingdoms in Central, Western, Southern, and Southeastern Europe. The subsequent period would be the second phase (around 500-700 years after AD), the migration of the Slavic peoples.
The invasions of the Avars and Bulgarians, the Islamic conquest of Sicily, and the Viking raids are all significant moments in European history.
That's how the rich tapestry of history has shaped European civilization and their intangible cultural values throughout the centuries.
Source: http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-interesting-facts-about-europe.php
Posted by: Nguyen Tran
Keywords: Fascinating Facts About Europe You've Never Known
