Extreme points of Europe
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Extreme points of Europe (without Flores Island)
This is a list of the extreme points of Europe: the geographical points that are higher, farther north, south, east or west than any other location in Europe. Some of these positions are open to debate, as the definition of Europe is diverse.
Extremes of the European continent, including islands
- Northernmost point. Cape Fligely, Rudolf Island, Franz Josef Land, Russia (81° 48′ 24″ N). Franz Josef Land is near the ill-defined border between Europe and Asia; if it is not considered a part of Europe, then the northernmost point is on the island of Rossøya, Svalbard (81°N).
- Southernmost point. The island of Gavdos, Greece (34° 48′ 02″ N) is the least ambiguous southernmost point of Europe. However, there are other contenders, depending on definition. The partly Greek-speaking island of Cyprus has cultural links with Europe; its southernmost point is the British base at Akrotiri. The Portuguese-governed islands of Madeira are borderline between Europe and Africa; their southernmost point is Bugio island. And the Canary Islands, though off the coast of Africa, are governed by Spain; their southernmost point is La Restinga on Hierro island.[citation needed]
- Westernmost point. The least ambiguous westernmost point of Europe is Faial Island, Azores, Portugal (28.703°W). However, the Portuguese-governed islands of the Azores straddle the boundary of the Eurasian and North American plates, and the village of Fajã Grande on Flores Island (31° 13' W), markets itself as the westernmost village in Europe.[1] The culturally European island nation of Iceland is also on the boundary of the plates; its westernmost point is Bjargtangar (24° 32′ 03″ W).
- Easternmost point. Cape Flissingski (69° 02′ E), Severny Island, Novaya Zemlya, Russia.
Mainland Europe
- Northernmost point. Cape Nordkinn (also called Kinnarodden), Norway (71° 08′ 03″ N)
- Southernmost point. Cape Tenaro, also Cape Matapan, the Peloponnese, Greece ((36°23′N 22°29′E / 36.383°N 22.483°E )
- Westernmost point. Cabo da Roca, Portugal (09° 30′ 03″ W)
- Easternmost point. The easternmost point is dependent upon the various definitions of Europe's eastern border. Utilizing the most common definition of Europe's eastern edge (the watershed divide of the Ural Mountains), the easternmost point of the Ural watershed (and thus mainland Europe) lies on an unnamed 545 metre peak at 68° 18′ 37″ N 66° 37′ 05″ E as shown on various detailed maps such as the Soviet General Staff maps and as shown on Google Earth/Maps. This peak is 17 km northeast of an 875 meter peak named Gora Anoraga and 60 km southwest of Ostov Lediyev (island) on Arctic waters south of the Kara Sea.
- The geographical midpoint equidistant to these extreme points (if 66° 11′ 57″ E is used as easternmost point) is at 53°34′01.5″N 28°20′57.2″E / 53.567083°N 28.349222°E / 53.567083; 28.349222, 15 km north east of Marina Gorka, Belarus. The centre could be 1° to the east.
Elevation
- Highest point. The highest point is dependent upon the definition of Europe. The Caucasus Mountains watershed divide is the most common definition for the European/Asian border. This places the highest point at Mount Elbrus, Russia (5,642 metres; 18,506 feet), which is 11 km onto the European side of the Caucasus watershed divide. If the mountains of the Caucasus were to be excluded, the highest point would be Mont Blanc, on the border between France and Italy (4,810 metres; 15,781 feet).
- Lowest point. Caspian Sea shore, Russia (−28 metres; −92 feet)
Highest attainable by transportation
- Cable car (and lift) - Klein Matterhorn, Switzerland (3,883 metres; 12,736 feet)
- Train (dead end) - Jungfraujoch, Switzerland (3,454 metres; 11,330 feet)
- Road - Veleta (Sierra Nevada), Spain (3,398 metres; 11,150 feet)
- Train (mountain pass) - Bernina Pass, Switzerland (2,253 metres; 7390 feet)[1]
See also
Notes
