Europe Europe was a continent on Earth , linked to Asia and separated from Africa by a inland sea . Europe was mostly continental , though it had significant island inhabitation as well , notably the UK . Supposed Earthonomics expert Mr Copper mistakenly referred to Europe as " Europey " . ( TV : " Voyage of the Damned " ) Geography . Europe ' s climates ranged from temperate to cold , suitable for human s . Like the rest of the world , Europe experienced several Ice Age s from the distant past to the year 5000 . ( TV : " The Ice Warriors " , " The Talons of Weng - Chiang " ) Famous natural beauties in Europe include the Switza , the Rhine , the Danube , and the Black Forest . ( PROSE : " Managra " ) History . The Roman Empire originated in Europe . It saw much of the continent under the rule of the Roman Emperor . ( TV : " The Romans " ) Following the defeat of King Harold Godwinson in the Battle of Hastings in 1066 , the Monk claimed that if Harold remained king with the help of the Monk ' s meddling with time , " all those wars " in Europe which ensued due to claims over France that went on for " years and years " would never have happened . ( TV : " Checkmate " ) The French Empire was the work of Napoléon Bonaparte . It covered a large area of mainland Europe before his downfall at the Battle of Waterloo . ( TV : " The Last Sontaran " ) The British Empire was the largest empire ever . Although it originated from the United Kingdom , few parts of Europe were brought under its power . ( TV : " Ghost Light " ) The Soviet Union saw Russia take control of many eastern European countries after the October Revolution . The country was under communist rule and tried to persuade other nations to take up this system . ( PROSE : " History 101 " ) Europe was involved in both World War I and World War II , both events being inadvertently caused by the Nemesis statue passing above Earth . ( TV : " Silver Nemesis " ) During the later 21st century , after other wars had been fought , most of Europe was reorganised into the Eurozone and was left only to fight with the United States of America . ( PROSE : " Trading Futures " ) By 2118 , both Europe and America used Africa to grow food for their populations . ( PROSE : " The Art of Destruction " ) In the 29th century , many European nations fled the planet on huge spaceships such as " Starship UK " to avoid a solar flare storm , some eventually returning after the solar flares had stopped . ( TV : " The Beast Below " ) In 12005 , Europe was the home of the New Roman Empire . ( TV : " The End of the World " ) In 200 , 100 , Europe and North Africa was known as Europa . This area was depopulated by the Dalek s when they attacked Earth . ( TV : " The Parting of the Ways " ) Alternate timeline . In Donna ' s World , continental Europe was choked by the ATMOS gas before the Sontaran invasion of Earth was thwarted by the sacrifice of the Torchwood Three team . Due to not having much petrol at that point , the already disaster stricken Britain got off relatively " lucky " . ( TV : " Turn Left " ) Other notes . Europe from the 14th and 19th centuries was recreated as Europa . ( PROSE : " Managra " ) Europa , a moon of Jupiter , was named after Europe . ( AUDIO : " The Defectors " )