Continental Europe refers to the continent of Europe, explicitly excluding European islands and peninsulae. Notably, in British and Irish usage, the term means Europe excluding the British Isles. In the English-speaking mind, Continental Europe (often simply called the Continent by the British) is foremost represented by the Benelux, Germany, and especially France. Dymaxion map by Buckminster Fuller shows land mass with minimal distortion as only one continuous continent A continent (Latin continere, to hold together) is a large continuous land mass. ... World map showing location of Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is geologically and geographically a peninsula, forming the westernmost part of Eurasia. ... A peninsula is a geographical formation consisting of an extension of land from a larger body that is surrounded by water on three sides. ... British Isles is also an old name for the Great Britain, Great Britain Ireland The Isle of Man The Isle of Wight The Northern Isles, including Orkney, Shetland and Fair Isle The Hebrides, including the Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides and Small Isles Rockall The islands of the lower Firth of... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Benelux is the region of Europe comprising Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. ...

In Scandinavian usage, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Iceland and Finland are excluded. Scandinavia is the cultural and historic region of the Scandinavian Peninsula. ... British Isles is also an old name for the Great Britain, Great Britain Ireland The Isle of Man The Isle of Wight The Northern Isles, including Orkney, Shetland and Fair Isle The Hebrides, including the Inner Hebrides, Outer Hebrides and Small Isles Rockall The islands of the lower Firth of... Scandinavia is the cultural and historic region of the Scandinavian Peninsula. ...

See also: Mainland This article is about the geomorphological/geopolitical term; Mainland is also a brand from Fonterra. ...