Europe has had great influence on political history since time immemorial. The system of democracy as we know today was developed in Europe in about 450 BC.
People from this not-so-big continent went around the world and colonized it. Almost all the countries around the world would have a European link at one point or the other. At a point of time, European powers, especially Britain, Spain and Portugal controlled the world. These countries grew rich by exploiting Asia, Africa and the Americas.
The Great Wars of the world began in Europe. Both World War I and World War II had their roots in Europe. The tension between communism and capitalism was played out here primarily. This power struggle that took place between the communist and non-communist countries is known as the Cold War which finally witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Today, Europe has 51 independent countries and related territories. Armenia and Cyprus are considered to be in Europe though they are geographically located in West Asia.
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