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
Southernmost point. Cape Trypiti,
Gavdos Island,
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 and it is also part of European Union; Cyprus's 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 at
Bugio Island, at (32°24′14″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.
Southernmost point.
Punta de Tarifa,
Spain (36°00'00.2"N). This is the southernmost point of a small island connected to the coast by a causeway in 1808, so no longer an island. If manmade land is not accepted, the continental southernmost point is located slightly more to the North at 36°00'25"N.
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 (1,788 ft) peak at 68°18′37″N66°37′05″E / 68.31028°N 66.61806°E / 68.31028; 66.61806 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 (11 mi) northeast of an 875-metre (2,871 ft) peak named Gora Anoraga and 60 km (37 mi) 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 Mountainswatershed 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 (6.8 mi) 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,
Ionian Sea, 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 in 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.
Easternmost station: Crossing of the watershed border of the Ural: Polyarnyj Ural station, literally named after the region of
Polar Urals,
Komi Republic, Russia (180 km (110 mi) from the easternmost point)