Europe

Safe travels in Europe

The population of Europe in 2015 was about 742 million, approximately 11% of the entire world population. This makes it the fourth largest continent in terms of population. In terms of area, Europe is the second smallest continent (after Australia, or Oceania to be precise). It covers a total area of 10,400,000 km².

Climate

Europe has several types of climate. These are influenced by surrounding seas, the Apls and influences from the Arctic.

Western Europe

Western Europe has several types of climate: the south is subtropical and a small desert area. The south is usually warm and dry. Central Western Europe has a temperate climate, a sea climate. Northern Norway has an Arctic climate.

Northern Europe

The weather in Northern Europe can be influenced by arctic air or the supply of warm (summer) or cold (winter) air from the former Soviet Union. In Scandinavia, high-pressure areas can occur that hardly move.

Southern Europe

Southern Europe has, thanks to being close to the equator and influenced by the warm Mediterranean Sea, dry, warm summers and mild, wet winters. In some places, even in the coldest months, the weather can be like springtime for weeks.

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe is the most erratic in terms of climate. The Balkan can be extremely cold in winter, very hot in summer and this region is often affected by flooding due to heavy rainfall, sometimes in combination with meltwater from the mountains.

Ticks

Ticks live in forests, dunes, heathland, sheltered meadows, parks, and gardens. Particularly in tall grass and dead leaves. Ticks attach themselves to passing animals and humans. Ticks become active when the temperature rises above 7 degrees Celsius. People are bitten between March and October.

Ticks can transmit diseases, including Lyme disease. Prevent a bite with Anti-Insect and make sure to bring an (impregnated) travel mosquito net if you’re staying in a forested area. Insect repellent socks are also recommended when hiking; ticks come from below.

Have you been bitten? It is important to remove the tick as quickly as possible, within 8 hours, with a tick remover. Do not sedate the tick with alcohol, nor heat it with a cigarette. The tick will release its saliva in response and transmit bacteria that can cause diseases. You can disinfect the bite with alcohol. If you have removed the tick within 8 hours, the risk of infection will be minimal.

Spiders

The European black widow, the most venomous spider in Europe, fortunately, does not occur in the Netherlands, but mainly in Mediterranean countries. A small bite from the European black widow is enough to cause extreme pain and a chance of nausea, convulsions and arrhythmia. Watch out for this spider in areas around the Mediterranean Sea.

Aspis viper

The most dangerous species of snake, the Aspis viper, lives mainly in southwestern Europe. Approximately 4% of the people who are bitten by them do not survive; many survivors get permanent damage to their eyes and liver from the poison of the Aspis viper.

This snake is found in France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Switzerland. The habitat consists of steep ridges, humid mountain areas and forest edges with many open spaces. Preferably with fallen tree trunks or stones under which the snake can hide.