Interesting Facts About Europe: 103 Surprising Truths & Oddities

Interesting facts about Europe and European countries

1. Both world wars started in Europe.
2. Between Africa and Madagascar there is an island called Europa.
3. Zero birth rate was recorded in the Vatican in 1983.
4. House numbering in London began only in 1764.
5. Prostitutes named Mary are forbidden to work in the town of Siena in Italy.
6. The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses.
7. In Italy, coffins are allowed to be made from walnut shells or natural wood.
8. The animated character Mickey Mouse is called Topolino in Italy.
9. In Sweden there is a town called A.
10. In France there is a town called Y.
11. In France, a special calculator was in use that could convert francs to euros.
12. In Italy there is a restaurant called “Solo for Two”, which has only one table.
13. “Land of rabbits” is the literal meaning of Spain.
14. In medieval Europe, Venice was considered the largest seaport.
15. Venice completely lacks a sewage system.
16. About 150 canals run through Venice.
17. Most Venetian buildings are built on piles of Russian larch.
18. There are only 20 professional plumbers in Venice.
19. Pigeons in Venice are allowed to be fed only in St. Mark’s Square.
20. The famous lover Casanova was born in Venice.
21. Composer Vivaldi and traveler Marco Polo were also born in Venice.
22. In 1436, the city fountain of Onuphrius was created under an Italian stone dome.
23. The Republic of Ragusa conducted a dynamic foreign policy in its time.
24. Dubrovnik was occupied by fascist troops during World War II.
25. A botanical garden and arboretum are located near Dubrovnik.
26. Italian was the primary language in the Republic of Ragusa.
27. Scientists believe that the remains of Atlantis are Santorini.
28. It is customary to nail bull’s horns above the entrances of houses in Santorini.
29. The grouper fish — rofos — is found only off the coast of the island of Santorini.
30. Multi-colored beaches with white, red, and black sand exist on the island of Santorini.
31. The grapevine is a symbol of health and prosperity in Portugal.
32. Twelve grapes are eaten on New Year’s Eve in Portugal.
33. The flag of Spain is considered a symbol of bullfighting.
34. The capital of France is famous for its museums.
35. About 6 million people are buried in the French catacombs.
36. About 2 km of passages are open to tourists in France.
37. A very large number of geysers are present in Iceland.
38. Iceland ranks first among other countries in the number of natural geysers.
39. The highest active European volcano is located in Italy.
40. The largest volcano, Etna, is located on the island of Sicily.
41. The stamp of Great Britain does not require the name of the country of the manufacturer to be written.
42. Norway is considered a patriotic nation.
43. The national flag can be seen near almost every house in Norway.
44. Residents of Finland are great coffee lovers.
45. Sweden is one of the leaders in the field of gender equality.
46. Parental leave in Sweden lasts 480 days.
47. Windmills and Holland are inseparable, with about 1,100 of them in the country.
48. The highways in Belgium are clearly visible even from space.
49. In Germany, one can often see homeless people with dogs.
50. The ball season in Austria starts in January and February.
51. Everyone abroad is convinced that Cheburashka is a female character.
52. The Volkswagen Beetle car has a heart the size of a white whale.
53. European cats and dogs must wear three bells.
54. Girls from sports team support groups wave colorful fluffy objects — pipidastras.
55. Subway escalators and their rubber handrails move at different speeds.
56. You need to press the crocodile’s eyeballs with your thumb to free yourself from its jaws.
57. The chameleon’s tongue is twice as long as its body.
58. In the first 10 meters, a runner can outpace a race car.
59. The only bird that can fly backward is the hummingbird.
60. Komodo dragons — giant lizards — attack even wild boar and deer.
61. Every fifth European has appeared on television.
62. You can place a nut in water for 48 hours to make it crack open.
63. A blade cannot be inserted between the blocks of the Cheops pyramid.
64. Drivers kill more deer than hunters.
65. A rat can fall from a five-story building without any injury.
66. A small drop of alcohol can drive a scorpion insane.
67. Chinese is the most spoken language in the world.
68. All modern jet aircraft are capable of breaking the speed of sound.
69. The number of residents of the city of London in Great Britain exceeds 8 million people.
70. The area of London is over 1,706 square kilometers.
71. Cars drive on the right side of the street in Europe.
72. The prime meridian passes through the capital of Great Britain.
73. London has as many as five international airports at its disposal.
74. There are almost never traffic jams in central London.
75. Half of the people on the central streets of Great Britain are tourists.
76. There are about 6,000 streets in London.
77. To become a taxi driver in London, you must complete three years of training.
78. Every Londoner appears on 50 surveillance cameras daily.
79. There are several more cities named London in the world.
80. Canadian London is also located on the River Thames.
81. Finns rank first in the world in coffee consumption.
82. 80% of water in Finland’s lakes is classified as excellent.
83. The real Santa Claus lives in Lapland.
84. You can meet a real reindeer on the streets of Finland.
85. According to folk tradition, Finns both died and were born in the sauna.
86. Champignons are the most popular mushrooms in Finland.
87. Race walking is very popular in Finland at any time of year.
88. Finnish residents have light eyes and hair.
89. Among the European population, Italians and French drink the most.
90. It is not customary to leave tips in Finland.

    

91. The Northern Lights are most often seen in the north of Finland.
92. People in Finland greatly trust national manufacturers.
93. There is one sauna for every three men in Finland.
94. Lakes account for about 9% of Finland’s total area.
95. The Finnish company Nokia was founded in 1865.
96. Jackie Kennedy dressed in clothing by Finnish designers.
97. In the 1950s, Finnish manufacturers were design leaders.
98. Air guitar competitions take place annually in European countries.
99. In European countries, you absolutely must purchase a fishing license.
100. Men in Italian families are terribly afraid of their wives.