Although formally considered a continent in its own
right, Europe forms part of the Eurasian land mass. For its size,
being the second smallest of the continents, its has the greatest
density of population. The majority of the once expansive
deciduous and coniferous woodlands have been cleared and now
exist to any degree of density only to the north and east of the
continent. The climatic range is generally moderate - having cool
winters and mild summers - and warms considerably in the
south-east where it borders the Middle Eastern countries. The
Middle East itself forms a climactic and cultural bridge between
Europe, the continent of Africa to the south and Asia to the
east. 