Which are Europe’s largest countries? We list Europe’s largest countries by population and by area. To a large extent, this may be what is expected, but some countries are surprising. For example, where do you think Sweden ends up on the lists?

EUROPE’S LARGEST COUNTRIES BY POPULATION

A few days ago we wrote a list of Europe’s largest cities, which made us curious to explore which are Europe’s largest countries. We first list Europe’s largest countries by population. We start at place number 10 and count down to place number 1. For a complete list of countries in Europe, see Countryaah.

We have counted on both Russia and Turkey because these countries are partly located in Europe, and because they are included in several lists of Europe’s most populous countries. According to Abbreviationfinder, Sweden is not in the top 10, but would end up in place 17 (if you count Kazakhstan to Europe, otherwise in place 16).

10. ROMANIA

In 10th place is Romania, with 19 million residents (2017). The largest city in Romania is Bucharest, with around 2.1 million residents.

Largest Countries - ROMANIA

9. POLAND

Poland has a population of just over 38 million (2017), making it one of the ten largest countries in Europe when it comes to population. The largest city is Warsaw with 1.7 million residents.

Largest Countries - POLAND

8. UKRAINE

About 42 million people live in Ukraine (2017), which means that Ukraine ends up in eighth place. The largest city is Kiev with just over 2.9 million residents.

Largest Countries - UKRAINE

7. SPAIN

Spain is home to around 46 million people (2017), making Spain a major European country. The largest city is Madrid with 3.2 million residents.

Largest Countries - SPAIN

6. ITALY

The Italians are around 60 million (2016), which takes them to a sixth place on this list. The largest city is Rome with just over 2.8 million residents.

Largest Countries - ITALY

5. GREAT BRITAIN

In the UK, around 65 million people live (2016) and the English are thus almost as many as the French. The largest city is London with 9.1 million residents.

Largest Countries - GREAT BRITAIN

4. FRANCE

The French are around 67 million (2018), which makes France one of Europe’s largest countries when it comes to population. The largest city in France is Paris with just over 2.1 million residents.

Largest Countries - FRANCE

3. TURKEY

Turkey has around 79 million residents (2016) and the country therefore ends up in place three on the list. At the same time, it must be mentioned that most of the country is actually in Asia. The largest city in Turkey is Istanbul with 15 million residents.

Largest Countries - TURKEY

2. GERMANY

Germany has around 82 million residents (2017), which means that this country ends up in an honorable second place. The largest city in Germany is Berlin with about 3.7 million residents.

Largest Countries - GERMANY

1. RUSSIA

Russia has around 146 million residents (2017) and is thus by far the most populous country in Europe. On the other hand, of course, not all of these residents live in Europe, as the country extends across both Europe and Asia. The largest city in Russia is Moscow with just over 13.1 million residents.

Largest Countries - RUSSIA

EUROPE’S LARGEST COUNTRIES BY AREA

Which are Europe’s largest countries if you look at the surface then? Some countries are large both in terms of area and population, but there are also some large, but sparsely populated countries… such as Sweden! We start with the tenth largest country in terms of area and count down to number 1. In this list, we have included the countries that are included in Wikipedia’s list, which includes Russia but not Turkey (which has most of its area in Asia).

10. ITALY

The boot-shaped country Italy ranks 10th on the list of Europe’s largest countries in area, with an area of ​​301,318 km2.

9. POLAND

Poland is a large country, both in terms of population and surface area. The country has an area of ​​312,685 km2 and thus ends up in place number nine.

8. FINLAND

Our neighboring country Finland is sometimes called the land of a thousand lakes and has an area of ​​338,145 km2, which is enough for an eighth place on the list.

7. GERMANY

Germany is one of the most populous countries, but in terms of area, the country ends up only in place number 7, with 357,050 km2.

6. NORWAY

In sixth place is our beautiful neighboring country Norway, with fjords, mountains and a total area of ​​385,155 km2.

5. SWEDEN

In fifth place comes… Sweden! Our “small” country is not so small when it comes to surface area, but is a full 449,964 km2.

4. SPAIN

Spain is in fourth place among Europe’s largest countries with 498,468 km2. The Canary Islands are not included in this area.

3. FRANCE

The third largest country to the surface is France with 551,695 km2. In this area, the overseas territories of France are not included.

2. UKRAINE

The second largest country in Europe to the surface is Ukraine, with 603,700 km2. Then the country has still lost some area as the Crimean peninsula became Russian.

1. RUSSIA

Russia is by far the largest country in Europe, with an area of ​​3,960,000 km2. As such, most of the country is not in Europe, but in Asia.

European Culture and Traditions by Country

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