Continents are usually thought of as clean, separate landmasses, but a handful of transcontinental countries straddle the boundary between two of them, either by geography or historical convention.
Countries That Span Two Continents
- Russia — spans Europe and Asia, with the Ural Mountains traditionally marking the divide; the vast majority of Russia’s land area lies in Asia, though most of its population lives in the European portion
- Turkey — the Bosphorus strait splits Istanbul itself between Europe and Asia
- Egypt — mostly in Africa, but the Sinai Peninsula lies in Asia
- Kazakhstan — a small western portion lies in Europe, with the vast majority in Asia; it is also the largest landlocked country in the world
- Azerbaijan and Georgia — both straddle the boundary between Europe and Asia in the Caucasus region
- Panama — sometimes cited as transcontinental, spanning North and South America depending on where the continental boundary is drawn
- Indonesia — its easternmost provinces are sometimes classified as part of Oceania rather than Asia
See area and other geographic data for any of these countries on our Rankings page.
Why Continental Boundaries Are Sometimes Fuzzy
Unlike national borders, continental boundaries between Europe and Asia (and Africa) are largely historical and cultural conventions rather than fixed physical facts — there is no single agreed line, which is exactly why Russia, Turkey, and Kazakhstan are all described as transcontinental in most references. Egypt’s case is more clear-cut, since the Sinai Peninsula is separated from mainland Africa by the physical Suez Canal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries span both Europe and Asia?
Russia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia are the most commonly cited countries spanning both Europe and Asia.
Is Egypt in Africa or Asia?
Egypt is primarily in Africa, but its Sinai Peninsula region lies in Asia, making it a transcontinental country.
Does Russia have more land in Europe or Asia?
The vast majority of Russia’s land area — around three-quarters — lies in Asia, though most of its population lives in the European portion around Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Compare geographic details for any of these countries with our Compare tool.
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