Extreme points of Europe
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This is a list of the extreme points of Europe: the geographical points that are higher or 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).[dubious ] 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, Norway (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 island of Cyprus has cultural links with Europe; its southernmost point is the British base at Akrotiri (34°35′N). The Portuguese islands of Madeira are borderline between Europe and Africa; their southernmost point is the Savage Islands (30°8′43″N). La Restinga on the island of El Hierro (27°45′N) in the Spanish Canary Islands is yet further south and could be considered politically, though not physiographically as part of Europe.
- Westernmost point. Monchique Islet, Azores Islands, Portugal (31° 16′ 30″ W) (If considered part of Europe, though it sits on the North American Plate). If not, then the Capelinhos Volcano, Faial Island, Azores Islands, Portugal (28° 50′ 00″ W), the westernmost point of the Eurasian Plate above sea level.
- Easternmost point. Cape Flissingsky (69° 02′ E), Severny Island, Novaya Zemlya, Russia.
Mainland Europe
- Northernmost point. Cape Nordkinn (Kinnarodden), Norway (71°08′02″N 27°39′00″E)
- Southernmost point. Punta de Tarifa, Spain (36° 00′ 15″ N)
- Westernmost point. Cabo da Roca, Portugal (9°29'56.44 W).[1][note 1]
- 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 / 68.31028°N 66.61806°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-metre peak named Gora Anoraga and 60 km southwest of Ostrov Lediyev (island) on Arctic waters south of the Kara Sea.
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 Caucasus mountains are excluded, the highest point is Mont Blanc, on the border between France and Italy (4,810 metres; 15,781 feet).
- Lowest point (natural, with open sky). Caspian Sea shore, Russia (−28 metres; −92 feet below sea level).
- Lowest point (natural, under water). Calypso Deep, Greece (−5,267 metres; −17,280 feet below sea level).
- Lowest point (natural, underground). Dependent upon the definition of Europe: either Krubera Cave, Abkhazia, Georgia (−2196 metres; −7205 feet below surface) (also the deepest cave of the world)[2] or Lamprechtsofen, Austria (−1,632 metres; −5,354 feet below surface).
- Lowest point (artificial, with open sky). Hambach surface mine (open-pit mine), Germany (−293 metres; −961 feet below sea level). Also deepest of the world.
- Lowest point (artificial, underground). Kola Superdeep Borehole, Russia (−12,262 metres; −40,230 feet below surface). Also deepest of the world.
Highest attainable by transportation
- Cable car (and lift) - Klein Matterhorn, Switzerland (3,883 metres; 12,736 feet)
- Funicular - Mittelallalin, Switzerland (3,456 metres; 11,339 feet)
- Train (dead end) - Jungfraujoch, Switzerland (3,454 metres; 11,330 feet)
- Train (mountain pass) - Bernina Pass, Switzerland (2,253 metres; 7390 feet)[3]
- Restricted access paved road (dead end) - Veleta (Sierra Nevada), Spain (3,300 metres; 10,827 feet)
- Paved road (dead end) - Ötztal Glacier Road, Austria (2,830 metres; 9,285 feet)
- Paved road (mountain pass) - Col de l'Iseran, France (2,770 metres; 9,090 feet)
Lowest attainable by transportation
- Lowest public tunnel - Eiksund Tunnel, Norway (287 metres (942 ft) below sea level)
See also
- Extreme points of Africa-Eurasia
- Extreme points of Earth
- Extreme points of Eurasia
- Extreme points of the European Union
- Geographical midpoint of Europe
- Geography of Europe
- List of highest points of European countries
- The world's most northern city, capital, island etc. (most of them are in Europe)
Notes
- ^ Ireland, which is part of the European continental shelf and which was connected to the continent by land during the last glacial period, includes points that are further west than Cabo da Roca (see Extreme points of Ireland).
References
- ^ Statistical Account of the British Empire: 1/ by J. R. Macculloch, retrieved 13 May 2014
- ^ Klimchouck, Alexander. "The deepest cave in the world (Krubera Cave) became 6 m deeper". speleogenesis.info. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ Albula and Bernina lines