Page 159 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

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Europe

Europe is the world’s second-smallest continent. Home to about

731 million people, this tightly packed landmass stretches across
14 time zones from Iceland, in the heart of the grey, wind-blown

Atlantic Ocean, to the sweeping expanse of the Russian steppes.

eople have inhabited this continent for thousands mountains, valleys and coral reefs.
of years, and both flora and fauna have been Not surprisingly, such diverse habitats are home to a
Pprofoundly affected.There are few true wilderness stunning variety of wildlife. Europe doesn’t have the space
areas left.This is a continent that was once almost to support the vast numbers of animals that regularly
completely covered by forest, but much of this has now rumble across the African plains. Nor does it have acres of
been cut down. In recent years, attempts have been made unexplored rainforest where such species as those found
to restore some of this habitat, or at least to maintain in South America can grow big and bold without the
what is left. interference of man.There are no great deserts, or
And yet, Europe is one of the most cosmopolitan of thundering rivers within this crowded and compact
continents. Here we find bare Norwegian tundra, continent, but it still has its share of wonderful, wild
temperate British woodlands, lush French vineyards, spaces and islands of green, where wildlife – in all its
parched Iberian plains, scented Alpine meadows, strange and surprising forms – can flourish.

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.