Subregions of Europe
Europe is the western part of Eurasia with an area of about 10 million km²; the number of states is around 44–50 depending on how they are counted. Four subregions are usually distinguished. Northern Europe (Scandinavia and the Baltic states) has a temperate maritime climate and is known for Iceland's volcanoes and geothermal energy; it has low population density, high living standards, and developed forestry, shipbuilding, engineering and hydropower. Western Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Benelux, the Alpine states) is economically the strongest, densely populated and highly urbanised, led by engineering, chemicals, banking and tourism. Southern Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and others) has a Mediterranean climate, is seismically and volcanically active, and specialises in subtropical farming (grapes, olives, citrus) and sea tourism. Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, the Balkan states and others) is mostly plain, has a transition economy after the socialist system, and many-branched industry; in many states the population is shrinking. In the 1990s the USSR and Yugoslavia broke up and the political map changed considerably.
“Subregion passport”: four groups pick one subregion each and make a 5-line passport (climate, relief, resources, population, specialisation) and mark it on a map.