Western Europe

France is a country located in Western Europe. France borders Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, Germany and Switzerland to the east, Italy to the southeast and Spain to the southwest across the Pyrenees mountain range. (The small country of Andorra lies between France and Spain.) The Mediterranean Sea lies to the south of France, with the Principality of Monaco forming a small enclave. To the west, France boasts a long Atlantic Ocean coastline; while to the north is the English Channel, across which lies France's final neighbor, England.

France is the world's most popular tourist destination (78 million visitors in 2006), with dozens of major tourist attractions, including Paris, Côte d'Azur (the French Riviera), the Castles of Loire Valley, Brittany and Mont Saint Michel. It is also famous for its beautiful Atlantic beaches and winter sport resorts in the Alps. France is further renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion.

France is a country located in Western Europe. France borders Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, Germany and Switzerland to the east, Italy to the southeast and Spain to the southwest across the Pyrenees mountain range. (The small country of Andorra lies between France and Spain.) The Mediterranean Sea lies to the south of France, with the Principality of Monaco forming a small enclave. To the west, France boasts a long Atlantic Ocean coastline; while to the north is the English Channel, across which lies France's final neighbor, England.

France is the world's most popular tourist destination (78 million visitors in 2006), with dozens of major tourist attractions, including Paris, Côte d'Azur (the French Riviera), the Castles of Loire Valley, Brittany and Mont Saint Michel. It is also famous for its beautiful Atlantic beaches and winter sport resorts in the Alps. France is further renowned for its gastronomy (particularly wines and cheeses), history, culture and fashion.

Spain is a diverse country in Mediterranean Europe, sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands off the African coast. It shares land borders with Portugal, France, Andorra, the British colony of Gibraltar and Morocco. With an area of about 314,000 square miles, Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe (behind France).

Spain is a country with an extremely rich cultural and historical background, due in large part to the fact that—at various points in its history—it was ruled by three separate cultural and religious groups: Muslims (Moors), Jews and Christians. Spain also boasts a beautiful and varied landscape, full of mountains, beaches and vineyards. Spain’s cities are world-famous, and include the thriving capital Madrid, the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona, Pamplona with its annual bull-running, and the city where flamenco flourishes, Sevilla (which also boasts the world’s largest gothic cathedral). Historic Granada, home to the Alhambra, and Córdoba, home to La Mezquita, are also popular travel destinations.

With wonderful food, wine (and sherry) and some of Europe’s most vibrant festivals—including Las Fallas in Valencia, Carnaval in Cadiz (the oldest city in Western Europe) and La Feria de Abril in Sevilla—there is never a dull moment in Spain.

Spain is a diverse country in Mediterranean Europe, sharing the Iberian Peninsula with Portugal at the western end of the Mediterranean Sea. Spanish territory also includes the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands off the African coast. It shares land borders with Portugal, France, Andorra, the British colony of Gibraltar and Morocco. With an area of about 314,000 square miles, Spain is the second largest country in Western Europe (behind France).

Spain is a country with an extremely rich cultural and historical background, due in large part to the fact that—at various points in its history—it was ruled by three separate cultural and religious groups: Muslims (Moors), Jews and Christians. Spain also boasts a beautiful and varied landscape, full of mountains, beaches and vineyards. Spain’s cities are world-famous, and include the thriving capital Madrid, the vibrant coastal city of Barcelona, Pamplona with its annual bull-running, and the city where flamenco flourishes, Sevilla (which also boasts the world’s largest gothic cathedral). Historic Granada, home to the Alhambra, and Córdoba, home to La Mezquita, are also popular travel destinations.

With wonderful food, wine (and sherry) and some of Europe’s most vibrant festivals—including Las Fallas in Valencia, Carnaval in Cadiz (the oldest city in Western Europe) and La Feria de Abril in Sevilla—there is never a dull moment in Spain.

Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula at the western edge of Europe with Spain. Geographically and somewhat culturally isolated from its neighbor, Portugal has a rich, cultural heritage, lively cities and a beautiful countryside. Although it was once one of the poorest countries in Western Europe, the end of dictatorship and beginning of democracy in 1974, coupled with incorporation into the European Union in 1986, has led to a significant increase in prosperity. However, Portugal is still one of the best value destinations on the continent. This is because it offers outstanding landscape diversity, due to its North-South disposition along the western shore of the Iberian Peninsula.

You can travel in a single day from green, vine- and tree-covered mountains in the North, to rocky mountains with spectacular slopes and falls in the central part of the country, to a near-desert landscape in the Alentejo region, and finally, to the glamorous beach vacation destination Algarve. The climate, combined with investments in the golfing infrastructure in recent years, has also turned the country into an international golfing haven. Portugal was recently named “Best Golf Destination 2006” by readers of Golfers Today, a British publication. Fourteen of Portugal’s courses are rated in the top 100 courses in Europe. If you want a condensed view of European landscapes, culture and way of life (taken from a beautiful Mediterranean perspective), Portugal might very well fit the bill.

Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula at the western edge of Europe with Spain. Geographically and somewhat culturally isolated from its neighbor, Portugal has a rich, cultural heritage, lively cities and a beautiful countryside. Although it was once one of the poorest countries in Western Europe, the end of dictatorship and beginning of democracy in 1974, coupled with incorporation into the European Union in 1986, has led to a significant increase in prosperity. However, Portugal is still one of the best value destinations on the continent. This is because it offers outstanding landscape diversity, due to its North-South disposition along the western shore of the Iberian Peninsula.

You can travel in a single day from green, vine- and tree-covered mountains in the North, to rocky mountains with spectacular slopes and falls in the central part of the country, to a near-desert landscape in the Alentejo region, and finally, to the glamorous beach vacation destination Algarve. The climate, combined with investments in the golfing infrastructure in recent years, has also turned the country into an international golfing haven. Portugal was recently named “Best Golf Destination 2006” by readers of Golfers Today, a British publication. Fourteen of Portugal’s courses are rated in the top 100 courses in Europe. If you want a condensed view of European landscapes, culture and way of life (taken from a beautiful Mediterranean perspective), Portugal might very well fit the bill.

Italy (Italia) is a large country in Southern Europe. It is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites anywhere—art and monuments abound throughout the country. Italy is also famous worldwide for its cuisine, fashion, wine, luxury sports cars and motorcycles; as well as for its beautiful coasts, lakes and mountains (the Alps and Apennines).

Italy has a number of world-famous cities, among them Rome, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Turin, Venice and Verona. All are spectacular in their own right. Other popular destinations around Italy include Tuscany, the islands of Capri and Sicily, Vatican City and the Italian Alps.

Italy (Italia) is a large country in Southern Europe. It is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites anywhere—art and monuments abound throughout the country. Italy is also famous worldwide for its cuisine, fashion, wine, luxury sports cars and motorcycles; as well as for its beautiful coasts, lakes and mountains (the Alps and Apennines).

Italy has a number of world-famous cities, among them Rome, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Pisa, Turin, Venice and Verona. All are spectacular in their own right. Other popular destinations around Italy include Tuscany, the islands of Capri and Sicily, Vatican City and the Italian Alps.

Welcome to Greece—birthplace of democracy, the Olympic Games and major theater genres. Visitors to the Mediterranean marvel at the ruins of Ancient Greece, such as the Parthenon, and trek across Europe’s most mountainous, hilly region to view elaborate monasteries and Mount Olympus.

From the ancient civilizations of the Minoans and Myceneans and the wars that formed the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Greece expanded, as did its reputation as a major cultural center for the development of modern theater techniques like tragedy and drama. A recent member of the European Union, Greece increased its international profile by hosting the 2004 Olympic Games in its capital city, Athens.

Bask in the glow of the Mediterranean sun during the area’s hot, dry summers or get your feet wet during its moist winters. Stop by the island of Mykonos, one of Europe’s most-visited areas, thanks to its unique architecture. Trace the roots of Greek Orthodoxy with a visit to a monastery, such as the Agia Triada that James Bond made famous.

Finally, you can Go Greek without stamping letters on your derriere.

Welcome to Greece—birthplace of democracy, the Olympic Games and major theater genres. Visitors to the Mediterranean marvel at the ruins of Ancient Greece, such as the Parthenon, and trek across Europe’s most mountainous, hilly region to view elaborate monasteries and Mount Olympus.

From the ancient civilizations of the Minoans and Myceneans and the wars that formed the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires, Greece expanded, as did its reputation as a major cultural center for the development of modern theater techniques like tragedy and drama. A recent member of the European Union, Greece increased its international profile by hosting the 2004 Olympic Games in its capital city, Athens.

Bask in the glow of the Mediterranean sun during the area’s hot, dry summers or get your feet wet during its moist winters. Stop by the island of Mykonos, one of Europe’s most-visited areas, thanks to its unique architecture. Trace the roots of Greek Orthodoxy with a visit to a monastery, such as the Agia Triada that James Bond made famous.

Finally, you can Go Greek without stamping letters on your derriere.

Austria (German: Österreich, literally "the Eastern Realm") is a land-locked alpine country in Central Europe. It borders Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, and Slovenia and Italy to the south.

Austria is a popular upscale tourist destination. Visits to Austria usually revolve around Vienna, with its famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral, its many "Heurigen" (wine pubs) and its romantic Waltz music flair. Also worth a visit are Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart; Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, surrounded by the Alps; and the vineyards of the Danube River valley. Tourists also flock to Austria for skiing, hiking and mountaineering resorts in the Alps as well as family-friendly recreation areas (i.e., the Witches' Water in Tyrol) and the country’s numerous lakes.

Austria (German: Österreich, literally "the Eastern Realm") is a land-locked alpine country in Central Europe. It borders Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the west, Germany and the Czech Republic to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, and Slovenia and Italy to the south.

Austria is a popular upscale tourist destination. Visits to Austria usually revolve around Vienna, with its famous St. Stephen’s Cathedral, its many "Heurigen" (wine pubs) and its romantic Waltz music flair. Also worth a visit are Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart; Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol, surrounded by the Alps; and the vineyards of the Danube River valley. Tourists also flock to Austria for skiing, hiking and mountaineering resorts in the Alps as well as family-friendly recreation areas (i.e., the Witches' Water in Tyrol) and the country’s numerous lakes.

Germany (or Deutschland in the home language) is a country in Central Europe and a founding member of the European Union. It is bordered to the north by Denmark, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Germany has numerous cities of interest to tourists. The top seven urban travel destinations are: Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. Due to its size and location in central Europe, Germany boasts a large variety of different landscapes. In general, the country's climate is mild and humid. Forests are a dominant natural feature in Germany, and these are very important to the country’s culture and folklore. Germany’s top natural tourist destinations include: the Baltic Sea Coast, the Rhine Valley, the Black Forest and the Bavarian Alps.

Germany (or Deutschland in the home language) is a country in Central Europe and a founding member of the European Union. It is bordered to the north by Denmark, to the east by Poland and the Czech Republic, to the south by Austria and Switzerland, and to the west by France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Germany has numerous cities of interest to tourists. The top seven urban travel destinations are: Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Munich. Due to its size and location in central Europe, Germany boasts a large variety of different landscapes. In general, the country's climate is mild and humid. Forests are a dominant natural feature in Germany, and these are very important to the country’s culture and folklore. Germany’s top natural tourist destinations include: the Baltic Sea Coast, the Rhine Valley, the Black Forest and the Bavarian Alps.

Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a country and constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is bordered by Sweden, Finland and Russia. The distance between the northern and southern parts of Norway is considerable compared to east-west distances. The country's extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean is home to its famous fjords.

The Kingdom of Norway also includes the Arctic island territories of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Norwegian sovereignty of Svalbard is based upon the Svalbard Treaty, but this does not apply to Jan Mayen. Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean and claims for Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land in Antarctica are also external dependencies, but these are not part of the Kingdom.

Text courtesy of Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway

Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a country and constitutional monarchy in Northern Europe that occupies the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It is bordered by Sweden, Finland and Russia. The distance between the northern and southern parts of Norway is considerable compared to east-west distances. The country's extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean is home to its famous fjords.

The Kingdom of Norway also includes the Arctic island territories of Svalbard and Jan Mayen. Norwegian sovereignty of Svalbard is based upon the Svalbard Treaty, but this does not apply to Jan Mayen. Bouvet Island in the South Atlantic Ocean and claims for Peter I Island and Queen Maud Land in Antarctica are also external dependencies, but these are not part of the Kingdom.

Text courtesy of Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway