Think You Know Europe? 12 Fun Facts That Will Make You Think Again

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Europe is one of the world’s most exciting places. You’ll find fascinating cities, unique landmarks, historic sites, and countries with rich histories and cultures at every corner of the continent. With so much to offer, it’s no surprise Europe is one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations.

However, despite its popularity, there are many fun, exciting, and frankly bizarre things most people don’t know about Europe. For example, did you know that Norway once knighted a penguin? If not, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ve listed 12 fun facts about Europe you might not know. Buckle in for the ride; it’s going to be an entertaining one.

Brussels Airport is the World’s Largest Sales Outlet for Chocolate

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We’ll start things off with an outrageous fact that seems utterly unbelievable. It’s likely we all know Belgium is famed for its chocolate, but did you know Brussels Airport is the world’s largest chocolate sales outlet? Well, you do now. Despite all the chocolate sales outlets worldwide, Brussels Airport sells the most.

According to Brussels Airport, the Belgian Chocolate House sells approximately 3.3 pounds (1.5 kilograms) of chocolate every minute. That equates to roughly 2 tonnes (2,000 kilograms) of chocolate daily and more than 800 tonnes (800,000 kilograms) yearly. At the Belgian Chocolate House, you’ll find famous brands of Belgian chocolate, such as Godiva, Neuhaus, and Leonidas.

France Is the Most Visited Country in Europe

Not To Do When Visiting France Don’t Leave a Tip For the Sake of it — © Kavalenkava / Adobe Stock

According to Statista, France has been the most visited country in Europe every year since 2019, and tourist numbers continue to grow. In 2023 alone, more than 100 million people visited the country, and this number is expected to rise in 2024 and beyond. For context, Spain is the second most visited country in Europe and welcomed 85.17 million visitors in 2023.

The main reason people visit France is to visit Paris, where you’ll find iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe. Other popular tourist destinations in France include Nice, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Marseille.

There Are No Mosquitoes in Iceland

One of the quirkiest facts on this list is that Iceland is one of the only places in the world that doesn’t have mosquitoes. What makes this fact more fascinating is that nobody is entirely sure why. Having said that, it’s believed Iceland’s rugged climate is somewhat responsible.

Mosquitoes live happily in nearby Northern Scandinavia and Greenland, but these countries have more stable weather and climates. In Iceland, the weather is more unpredictable; it’s not uncommon for all four seasons to be experienced in one day. There is also a distinct lack of shallow ponds for mosquitoes to live around, which is another potential reason they don’t live on the island.

Norway Knighted a Penguin

We don’t know about you, but this next fact puts a huge smile on our faces. Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, the United Kingdom, has a special resident named Major General Sir Nils Olav III. He’s a colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King’s Guard and is the third King penguin to take up the role.

The first Sir Olav penguin to serve the Norwegian King’s Guard was appointed in 1972 and served until 1987. When Nils Olav was knighted in 2008, it was such a significant promotion that King Harald V of Norway had to approve the knighthood. Nils Olav also holds the Guinness World Record as the highest-ranking penguin worldwide.

St. Peter’s Basilica Is Europe’s Largest Church

St. Peter’s Basilica, also known as the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter, is an enormous church of the Italian High Renaissance in Vatican City. While Europe is home to countless impressive churches and religious sites, none are more iconic than St. Peter’s.

Aside from its mesmerizing appearance and rich history, many tourists visit the church because it’s the largest in Europe. This vast structure, which was constructed in the 16th-century, stands at a whopping 72 feet (222 meters) long, 498 feet (152 meters) wide, and 449 feet (137 meters) tall. It’s capable of hosting an incredible 60,000 people.

Vatican City Is the Smallest Country in the World

Seeing as though we’ve mentioned it, we may as well tell you that Vatican City is the world’s smallest country. With a total area of approximately 0.19 square miles (0.49 square kilometers), this independent state, surrounded by the Italian capital, Rome, is smaller than the parking lot at Disney World Florida.

As a point of comparison, the world’s largest country, Russia, is almost 40 million times bigger than Vatican City. Despite its size, Vatican City is filled with famous attractions of historical and religious importance. Notable points of interest include St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. It’s worth visiting the Vatican during a trip to Rome.

Denmark’s Monarchy Is the Oldest in Europe

After World War I, most European monarchies were abolished. As of 2024, only 12 sovereign monarchies are left in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands. The oldest of Europe’s monarchies is the Kingdom of Denmark, which has a fascinating history that can be traced back to the 10th-century Viking king Gorm the Old.

The Danish monarchy, which has ruled Denmark for over 1,000 years, is also one of the oldest in the world. Today, the country’s royal family has fewer duties, primarily ceremonial responsibilities. The current King and Queen of Denmark are HM King Frederik X and HM Queen Mary.

Wales Has the Most Castles Per Square Mile in Europe

Europe is known for many things, including beautiful beaches, bustling cities, and rugged natural landscapes. However, one thing often overlooked is the continent’s castles. In almost every European country you visit, you’ll come across hundreds upon thousands of medieval castles. However, according to National Geographic, Wales in the United Kingdom has the most castles per square mile.

There are over 600 castles in Wales, some of which have been continuously lived in and others that have fallen into disrepair and ruin. One of the main reasons this relatively small country has so many castles is because the Welsh princes built them to defend their land from invasion. Famous castles worth visiting include Cardiff Castle, Conwy Castle, and Harlech Castle.

Europe Has More Than 200 Languages

One of the most exciting things about Europe is the many different cultures there. Almost everywhere you go, you’ll find unique local traditions, history, and a wide diversity of languages. While there are only 24 official languages in Europe, more than 200 are spoken across the continent.

The five most popular European languages are Russian, English, French, Italian, and German; over 50 million native speakers speak them. Surprisingly, Russia is the most native-speaker language in Europe, with more than 100,000,000 native speakers. However, English has the most significant number of speakers, with well over 200 million speakers.

Fries Were Invented in Belgium

Most people would agree if you assumed the humble “French fries” were invented in France. However, there may be some controversy regarding where fries were invented. We don’t want to cause any arguments between the Belgians and the French, but Belgium has a solid claim to the invention of fried potatoes.

Many sources claim that crispy fried spuds were likely invented in Belgium in the late 17th century. It’s believed the dish was created in 1680, when a fish-loving city called Namur had to find an alternative to fish when the local river froze over. The locals substituted fish for potatoes, cutting them into long segments and frying them. Many historians have questioned the story’s authenticity, but Belgium stands firmly behind its stance.

The Netherlands Is Home to More Bicycles Than People

One of the most hilarious and bizarre facts we have for you is that the Netherlands is home to more bicycles than people. Worldwide, the Netherlands is well-known as the “land of the bicycles,” and with good reason. Virtually every city you visit in the country, especially Amsterdam, is filled with people cycling.

According to the UN Environment Program, there are more than 22 million bicycles in the Netherlands, while the current human population is around 18 million. The Netherlands’ obsession with bicycles started in the 1970s when more people started riding bikes to move away from a car-centric way of living. Today, you’ll see everyone from three years old to 90-year-olds riding bicycles in the Netherlands.

The Olympic Games Originated in Greece

The Olympic Games is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. Over 200 countries come together every four years to compete in a wide range of sports to see which country is the best. The first Olympic Games took place in Greece in 776 BC, and they weren’t much different from the games we watch today.

Often referred to as the Ancient Olympic Games, the games were still a series of athletic competitions featuring representatives of Greece’s city-states. They were usually held at the Panhellenic religious sanctuary of Olympia to honor Zeus, and they took place every four years, otherwise referred to as an Olympiad. Sports at the first Olympic Games included wrestling, boxing, running, jumping, and discus throw.