Fact Check: "Ukraine is the largest country entirely within Europe by area."
What We Know
Ukraine is recognized as the largest country entirely within Europe, with a total area of approximately 603,628 square kilometers (or 233,030 square miles) (source-3). This makes it larger than any other European country that does not extend into Asia. The only country larger than Ukraine in Europe is Russia, but a significant portion of Russia lies in Asia, making its European area much larger than Ukraine's (source-4).
According to a list of European countries by area, Ukraine ranks second overall in Europe, following Russia, which covers a vast area of approximately 3,960,000 square kilometers in its European part (source-1). However, when considering only countries that are entirely within Europe, Ukraine holds the top position.
Analysis
The claim that "Ukraine is the largest country entirely within Europe by area" is supported by multiple credible sources. The data from the Ukrainian government and World Atlas confirms Ukraine's status as the largest country that is fully located in Europe. The Wikipedia page on European countries by area also corroborates this information, clearly indicating that Ukraine's area is larger than that of any other country that does not extend into Asia (source-1).
While some sources, such as the Britannica, provide context by mentioning Russia's larger overall area, they also clarify that this includes land in Asia, which is not relevant to the claim being evaluated. The distinction is crucial, as the claim specifically pertains to countries entirely within Europe.
In terms of source reliability, Wikipedia is generally considered a good starting point for information, especially when corroborated by other reputable sources like government data and recognized encyclopedias. The information from the Ukrainian government and World Atlas is also reliable, as they are authoritative sources on geographical data.
Conclusion
The claim that "Ukraine is the largest country entirely within Europe by area" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources consistently supports this assertion, confirming that Ukraine's total area surpasses that of any other European country that does not extend into Asia.
