Countries

Get the latest European news from BBC News in Europe: headlines, features and analysis from BBC correspondents across the European Union, EU, and the rest of Europe.

News and stories about Europe from The Guardian

The European Council is made up of the leaders of the EU member states. It defines the EU's overall political direction and priorities but does not pass laws.

The official website of the European commission.

The European and North American alliance.

Military forces of Europe ranked by strength for 2015.

EU Member States, candidate countries and other European countries.

The European Union (EU) is a politico-economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe. It covers an area of 4,324,782 km2, with an estimated population of over 508 million.

The list below includes all entities falling even partially under any of the various common definitions of Europe, geographical or political. Fifty six sovereign states, six of which have limited recognition, are listed with territory in Europe and/or membership in international European organisations. There are eight areas that are not integral parts of a European state or have special political status.

Wikipedia's List of European countries by population.