What Is Europe’s Relative Location?

Europe is located north of Africa, west of Russia and northwest of the Middle East and Asia. Additionally, it is located north of the Mediterranean Sea, west of the Atlantic Ocean and south of the Barents Sea.

Europe encompasses about four million square miles, making it the second smallest continent with regard to surface area. Its westernmost country is Iceland, which is located on the Mid-Atlantic ridge west of the Norwegian Sea. Its easternmost country is Russia, which spans Europe and Asia. Europe’s northernmost country is Norway, and countries along its southern border include Greece and Spain. The Arctic Circle crosses Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia in northern Europe, and the Prime Meridian passes through Europe in the United Kingdom.