Europe is physically defined by jagged coastlines, peninsulas,
islands, mountains and rivers. Since prehistoric days, people
have been challenged by rugged barriers and have taken advantage
of natural waterways and highways.
Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Europe
The present road network developed through the centuries, with
rail systems expanding rapidly in the 19th century and air travel
in the 20th.
Over the past 30 years, Europe built most of its present modern
airports, the impressive web of modern highways and a new high-speed
rail system. That work goes on today, with vast investments from
the European Union.
Important goals for the 21st century are to further reduce travel
times between major cities, and to significantly increase the
number of people and tons of freight that move by rail. The intention
is to slow the growth of both air and highway travel on the busiest
routes.
Toward these ends, remarkable projects have been undertaken,
including the Channel Tunnel, Scandinavia's Store Bælt
and Øresund crossings, the Main-Danube canal, the current
Greek highway and rail program, the new Swiss rail tunnels through
the Alps, and the Strait of Messina bridge, which Italy is determined
to finally build to Sicily. |
