Europe, the planet's 6th largest continent, includes 47 countries and assorted dependencies, islands and territories.
Before the19th century, the term 'Nordic' or 'Northern' was commonly used to mean Northern Europe in a sense that included the Nordic countries, EuropeanRussia, theBaltic countries (at that time Livonia andCourland) andGreenland.
In earlier eras, when Europe was dominated by theMediterranean region (i.e. theRoman Empire), everything not near this sea was termed Northern Europe, includingGermany, theLow Countries, andAustria. Inmedieval times, the term (Ultima)Thule was used to mean a semi-mythical place in the extreme northern reaches of the continent.
