How Many Countries in Europe?

The continent of Europe is currently divided into 50 different countries with 5 additional territories that have yet to be fully recognized.

Europe’s Borders

Europe is one of the smaller continents on planet earth. The continent is bordered in the North by the Arctic Ocean. The Southern border is shaped by the Mediterranean Sea, while the Eastern boundary is shaped by the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern dividing line is often where much of the confusion lies. The eastern and south-eastern boundaries of Europe are generally recognized by the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, Caspian Sea, and the Black Sea.

The continent of Europe is part of the larger landmass called “Eurasia” and is responsible for the northwestern portion of this area.

The European Union should not be confused with the continent of Europe. Not all countries of continental Europe are part of the European Union (Eurozone).

Europe Shares Some of its Countries

Though the continent of Europe is divided into 50 countries, there are several countries that have territory in both Europe and Asia. Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia are considered to be “transcontinental” with portions of their countries on multiple continents.

The overall area that makes up the continent of Europe remains mostly unchanged for thousands of years. What changes most frequently are the dividing lines of the countries that make up the continent. Over time new countries will form and other will split or fade away. We will update this list as new information becomes available regarding new population data and country additions!