Editing Geographical midpoint of Europe

{{Short description|Geographical centre of Europe}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
[[File:Centre of Europe.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|This map shows in red points some of the locations of claimants to the title of ''Centre of Europe'':<br />
[[Dilove]] (Rakhiv, Ukraine), [[Krahule]] (or [[Kremnické Bane]], Slovakia), [[Dresden]] and  [[Kleinmaischeid]] (Germany), [[Toruń]] and [[Suchowola]] (Poland), [[Bernotai]], or [[Purnuškės]] (Lithuania){{GeoGroupTemplate}}]]

The location of the [[geographical centre]] of Europe depends on the definition of the borders of [[Europe]], mainly whether remote islands are included to define the [[extreme points of Europe]], and on the method of calculating the final result. Thus, several places claim to host this hypothetical centre.

== Current claimants ==
* The village of [[Kremnické Bane]] or the neighbouring village [[Krahule]], near [[Kremnica]], in central [[Slovakia]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.infoglobe.cz/tips-for-trips/svk-kremnicke-bane-geographical-center-of-europe/|title=SVK: Kremnické Bane – Geographical Center Of Europe |website=en.infoglobe.cz}}</ref>

Other locations currently vying for the distinction of being the centre of [[Europe]] include:
* The small town of [[Rakhiv]], or the village of [[Dilove]] near Rakhiv, in  western [[Ukraine]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ukraine/the-carpathians/rakhiv/sights/landmarks-monuments/geographical-centre-europe|title= Geographical Centre of Europe: Monument in Rakhiv|website=Lonely Planet}}</ref>
* The village of [[Girija (village)|Girija]], near [[Vilnius]], in [[Lithuania]]<ref>{{cite web|title=The Museum of Geographical Centre of Europe|url=http://www.muziejai.lt/vilnius/europos_geografinis_centras.en.htm|website=Museums of Lithuania}}</ref><ref>http://confluence.org/confluence.php?visitid=14714 : "according to the research of the French National Geographic Institute, the one and only geographical central point of the continent is in Lithuania, a fact that even won recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records"</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=27 July 2018|title=Geographical centre of Europe|url=http://www.vilnius-tourism.lt/en/what-to-see/places-to-visit/around-vilnius/geographical-centre-of-europe/}}</ref>
* A point on the island of [[Saaremaa]] in [[Estonia]]<ref>{{cite book |title=The Hidden Europe: What Eastern Europeans Can Teach Us |last=Tapon |first=Francis |year=2011 |publisher=SonicTrek |isbn=978-0-9765812-2-2 |page= 14}}</ref>
* A point near [[Polotsk]], or in [[Vitebsk]], or near [[Babruysk]], or near lake Sho in [[Belarus]]<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.belarus-magazine.by/en.php?subaction=showfull&id=1241527298&archive=1252327313&start_from=&ucat=4& |title=How to reach the centre of Europe |magazine=Belarus Magazine |author=Viktor Korbut |issue=5 |year=2009 |access-date=2013-09-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130921174054/http://www.belarus-magazine.by/en.php?subaction=showfull&id=1241527298&archive=1252327313&start_from=&ucat=4& |archive-date=2013-09-21 }}</ref>
* A point near the town of [[Tállya]], in north-eastern [[Hungary]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tortenelmi-borut.hu/tallyagr.html |title=Tállya |website=www.tortenelmi-borut.hu |access-date=2013-09-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925182215/http://www.tortenelmi-borut.hu/tallyagr.html |archive-date=2013-09-25 |quote=According to topographical measurements, Tállya is the geodesic centre of [...] continental Europe}}</ref>
* The small historic town of [[Kouřim]] in [[Czech Republic]]

== Extreme points of Europe ==
{{See main|Extreme points of Europe}}
[[File:Extreme points of Europe.png|thumb|upright=1.4|Extreme points of Europe and two of its geographic centres: the [[Saaremaa]] island in western Estonia, and [[Babruysk]] in Belarus.]]
The picture above shows the extreme points of Europe, northern or southern. The northern, which are Ostrov Rudolfa or [[Rudolf Island]], a Russian island, Kinnarodden, a tourist attraction in Norway, and Mys Zhelaniya or [[Cape Zhelaniya]], the northernmost point of Severny Island, Russia. The extreme southern parts of Europe are [[Cabo da Roca]], A historical place in Portugal, [[Punta de Tarifa]], the southernmost point on the Spanish mainland, and [[Gavdos]], an island in Greece under the administrative region of [[Crete]].

== History of claims ==
=== [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth|Poland]] ===
[[File:Podlaskie - Suchowola - Suchowola - Kościuszki - Park - Kamień centrum Europy 20110925 01.JPG|thumb|left|upright=.8|Monument in [[Suchowola]], [[Poland]]]]
The first official declaration of the Centre of Europe was made in 1775 by the Polish royal astronomer and cartographer [[Szymon Antoni Sobiekrajski]], who calculated it to be in the town of [[Suchowola]]<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url = http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/pl-pd-sw.html |title = Suchowola commune (Poland) |quote = In 1775 royal astronomer Szymon Antoni Sobiekrajski published a report in which he stated that Suchowola is the exact geographic centre of Europe }}</ref> near [[Białystok]] in modern north-eastern [[Poland]]. The method used was that of calculating equal distances from the extreme points of Europe: the westernmost point in Portugal; the easternmost point in the Central Urals; the northernmost point in Norway; and the southernmost point in Greece (islands were not taken into consideration). There is a monument commemorating that definition in Suchowola {{coord|53|34|39|N|23|06|22|E|type:landmark|name=Suchowola, Poland (monument)}}.

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==== [[Slovakia]]  ====
[[File:KremnickeBane-stred-europy.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.8|The marker stone in [[Kremnické Bane]], Slovakia]]
In about 1815 there was a declaration that the centre of Europe was located near the mining town of [[Kremnica]], on a hill that forms the water division between the basins of the [[Baltic Sea]] and [[Black Sea]], near St. John Baptist Church. The method used for calculating is unknown, but from the description given on the commemorative plaque located near the church {{coord|48|44|37|N|18|55|50|E|type:landmark|name=Kremnické Bane, Slovakia (monument)}}, it seems that it has been the centre of the smallest circle circumscribed on Europe (yet the limits of Europe taken into consideration are not known). The title of the "Centre of Europe" is also claimed by the neighbouring village [[Krahule]] (ancient Blaufuß), which used to belong to the same parish, now a famous centre for winter sports, with a hotel and recreation centre called "Stred Európy" ("Centre of Europe").
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==== [[Carpathian Ruthenia|Transcarpathia]], [[Ukraine]] ====
[[File:Center of Europe - monument - nearby Rakhiv - Ukraine (5647-49).jpg|thumb|left|upright=.8|Austrian-Hungarian marker in Ukraine]]
In 1887, geographers from the [[Austria-Hungary|Austro-Hungarian Empire]] set up a historical marker and a large stone in what is today a part of Ukraine, believed to mark the geographic centre of Europe. The interpretation of the worn [[Latin]] [[inscription]] on the [[monument]] is debated, with some claiming that the marker is merely one of a number of fixed [[triangulation]] points for surveying purposes established around the territory of the former empire. The external borders of Europe taken into account during the calculations are not known. According to the description, the methodology used for the calculation is that of the geometrical middle point of the extreme [[latitude]]s and [[longitude]]s of Europe, so the stone was located at {{coord|48|30|N|23|23|E|type:landmark}}. However, the actual location of the monument seems rather {{coord|47|57|46.47|N|24|11|14.4|E|type:landmark|name=Dilove, Ukraine (monument)}} and not the coordinates to which they relate. This is near the village of [[Dilove]] located on the [[Tisza]] river, close to the [[Romania]]n border, in the county of [[Rakhiv]] in the [[Carpathian Ruthenia|Transcarpathian]] region.

===== Soviet measurements =====
Measurements done after [[World War II]] by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] scientists reconfirmed the Austria-Hungarian claim that [[Rakhiv]] and Dilove to be the geographical centre of Europe. The old marker in the small town was renewed, and a major campaign to convince everyone of its validity was undertaken.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

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==== [[Dyleň|Tillenberg/Dyleň]], today in the [[Czech Republic]]/[[Bavaria]] ====
[[File:Mittelpunkt Europas.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.7|Marker near [[Tillenberg]]]]
Austrian geographers also marked the 939-metre-high [[Tillenberg]] ([[Dyleň]]) near the [[Bohemia]]n city of [[Cheb|Eger/Cheb]] with a copper plate as the centre of Europe. As the border to Germany/Bavaria runs 100&nbsp;m west of the mountaintop, the German village of [[Bad Neualbenreuth]] uses this for promotional purposes. [[Bayerischer Rundfunk]] journalists asked the Institut für Geographie of the [[University of Munich]] to verify the claims. The institute concluded that the centre lies further to the south, in [[Hildweinsreuth]] near [[Flossenbürg, Bavaria|Flossenbürg]].

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=== [[Sweden]] ===
In 1988 using [[Spherical trigonometry]] with the three corners of Europe as [[Cape St. Vincent|Cabo de São Vincente]] in the west, [[Spitsbergen]] in the north and [[Astrakhan|Astrakan]] in the east, Arne Wennberg calculated [[Landskrona]] as the midpoint of Europe.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pennan kvar på Järnvägsgatan|url=https://www.hd.se/2007-10-28/pennan-kvar-pa-jarnvagsgatan|access-date=2021-01-31|website=HD|language=sv}}</ref> A monument is built on the town square in the form of a pen stuck in stone. 

=== [[Lithuania]] ===
[[File:CentreofEurope.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.7|Monument in [[Purnuškės|Girija]], [[Lithuania]]]]
[[File:The division of Europe by cardinal directions.Center of Europe near Vilnius. Caucasus border.png|thumb|The division of Europe into the [[cardinal directions]] and the central part (with an area of 1/9 of Europe) from the geographical center in [[Lithuania]]]]
After a re-estimation of the boundaries of the [[continent]] of [[Europe]] in 1989, [[Jean-George Affholder]], a scientist at the [[Institut géographique national (France)|Institut Géographique National]] (French National Geographic Institute) determined that the geographic centre of Europe is located at {{coord|54|54|24|N|25|19|12|E|type:landmark|name=Purnuškės (centre of gravity)}}.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://geosite.jankrogh.com/other.htm |title = Other Places of Interest: Central Europe |author = Jan S. Krogh }}</ref> The method used for calculating this point was that of the [[centre of gravity]] of the [[geometry|geometrical figure]] of Europe.
This point is located in [[Lithuania]], near the village of [[Girija (village)|Girija]]. A monument, composed by the sculptor Gediminas Jokūbonis and consisting of a column of white granite surmounted by a crown of stars, was erected at the location in 2004. An area of woods and fields surrounding the geographic centre point and including Lake Girija, Bernotai Hill, and an old burial ground, was set aside as a reserve in 1992. The State Tourism Department at the Ministry of Economy of Lithuania has classified the Geographic Centre monument and its reserve as a tourist attraction. 17&nbsp;km away lies [[Europos Parkas]], ''Open Air Museum of the Centre of Europe'', a sculpture park containing the world's largest sculpture made of TV sets.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.europosparkas.lt |title = Europos Parkas: Open Air Museum of the Centre of Europe |publisher = EU PHARE 2001 Co-operation in the Baltic Sea Region Programme }}</ref>

It is the only Geographical Centre of Europe with recognition in the [[Guinness Book of World Records]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The geographical Centre of Europe |url=http://www.visitlithuania.net/index.php/places-to-visit/65-near-vilnius/94-the-geographical-centre-of-europe.html |website=visitlithuania.net |access-date=4 November 2019 |archive-date=4 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104215727/http://www.visitlithuania.net/index.php/places-to-visit/65-near-vilnius/94-the-geographical-centre-of-europe.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

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=== [[Hungary]] ===
[[File:Tállya légifotó1.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.8|Church in Tállya]]
It is claimed that a 1992 survey found that the geometric centre of Europe is in the village of [[Tállya]], Hungary {{coord|48.23610|N|21.22574|E}}.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.tallya.hu/rendszer/page.php?11 |access-date = 2008-07-01 |title = Tállya Online: Európa Mértani Közepe, Tállya |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080513232642/http://www.tallya.hu/rendszer/page.php?11 |archive-date = 2008-05-13 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last = Cristea |first = George |title = Jakten på Europas mittpunkt |year = 2001 |publisher = Carlsson |location = Stockholm |language = sv |isbn = 91-7203-435-1 }}</ref> In 2000, a sculpture was erected in the village, with a table on it declaring the place the "Geometric Centre of Europe".<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.kastelyok-utazas.hu/Webalbum/Magyar/Nevezetes/Tallya/Kozter/EU-kozepe/slides/DSCF6249.html |access-date = 2008-07-01 |title = Tállya nevezetességei – Közterületi szobrok – Európa mértani középpontja (DSCF6249) | language=hu | trans-title=Sights of Tállya – Public Sculptures – The Geometric Center of Europe (DSCF6249) |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091118164932/http://www.kastelyok-utazas.hu/Webalbum/Magyar/Nevezetes/Tallya/Kozter/EU-kozepe/slides/DSCF6249.html |archive-date = 2009-11-18 }}</ref>

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=== [[Belarus]] ===
[[File:Polotsk Centr Evropy 1.JPG|thumb|left|upright=.8|Monument to the Geographical Centre of Europe in [[Polotsk]], [[Belarus]]]]
In 2000 Belarusian scientists Alexey Solomonov and Valery Anoshko published a report that stated the geographic centre of Europe was located near Lake Sho ({{coord|55|10|55|N|28|15|30|E}}; {{langx|be|Шо}}) in [[Vitebsk Region]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url = http://belarus-magazine.by/en.php?subaction=showfull&id=1178358210&archive=1183809402&start_from=&ucat=4&do=archives |publisher = Belarus Magazine |title = Letters stamped "From the center of Europe" |author=Igor Anisimov |issue=5 |year=2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120207112049/http://belarus-magazine.by/en.php?subaction=showfull&id=1178358210&archive=1183809402&start_from=&ucat=4&do=archives |archive-date = 2012-02-07 }}</ref>

The scientists used a special computer program that takes Europe in a single entity – the White Sea and the Baltic Sea, Britain and Ireland were included in the program as continental zone objects. It is assumed that in the calculations to determine the center of Europe, one must take into account the inland waters of Europe and the Ural Mountains, the eastern border of Europe.

Scientists from the Russian [[Central Research Institute of Geodesy, Aerial Survey and Cartography]] ({{langx|ru|ЦНИИГАиК}}) confirmed the calculations of Belarusian geodesists that the geographical centre of Europe is located in [[Polotsk]] {{coord|55|30|0|N|28|48|0|E}}. A small monument to the Geographical Centre of Europe was set up in Polotsk on 31 May 2008.<ref>[http://www.belta.by/ru/main_news_other?id=213117 Российские геодезисты подтвердили нахождение центра Европы в Полоцке - Главные новости - БЕЛТА - новости, события, факты, комментарии]{{dead link|date=January 2011}}</ref>

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=== [[Estonia]] ===
[[File:Eesti Saaremaa.png|thumb|left|upright=.8|[[Saaremaa]] island in western [[Estonia]]]]
It is claimed that if all the islands of Europe – from the [[Azores]] to [[Franz Joseph Land]] and from [[Crete]] to [[Iceland]] – are taken into consideration then the centre of Europe lies at {{coord|58|18|14|N|22|16|44|E|type:landmark|name=North of Torgu}} in the village of [[Mõnnuste]], on [[Saaremaa]] island in western [[Estonia]]. Again, no author and no method of calculation have been disclosed. The local [[Kärla Parish]] is seeking to verify the location and to turn it into a tourist location.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/446439 |title = Kärla vald tahab Euroopa keskpunkti külalistele avada |language = et |access-date = 2008-11-29 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110526073800/http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/446439 |archive-date = 2011-05-26 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

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== Geographic centre of the European Union ==
The French [[Institut Géographique National]] (IGN) has been calculating the changing location of what it estimates to be the geographical centre of the [[European Union]] (EU) since at least 1987. Its calculations exclude such [[Special member state territories and the European Union|extra-European territories]] of the EU as [[French Polynesia]]. As the European Union (or formerly – [[European Community]]) has grown in the last 50 years, the geographical centre has shifted with each expansion.

=== 1987–1990 ===
[[File:Eglise de Saint-André-le-Coq face sud.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.8|Church in [[Saint-André-le-Coq]]]]
'''12 members''': In 1987 the centre of the [[European Community]] of the [[European Economic Community#Members|12 members]] was declared to be in the middle of [[France]], in the village of [[Saint-André-le-Coq]], [[département]] of [[Puy-de-Dôme]], [[région]] of [[Auvergne (region)|Auvergne]].
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=== 1990–1995 ===
[[File:003 St Clement ( 03250 ).JPG|thumb|left|upright=.8|Village of [[Saint-Clément, Allier|Saint-Clément]]]]
'''12 members after the [[German reunification|reunification of Germany]]'''. In 1990, the centre shifted some 25&nbsp;km north-eastward, to the place called [[Noireterre]] in the village of [[Saint-Clément, Allier|Saint-Clément]], département of [[Allier]], the same région of Auvergne. A small monument commemorating the latter discovery still exists in Saint Clément.
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=== 1995–2004 ===
[[File:Centre europe des 15.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.8|Memorial at [[Viroinval]] (15-member-EU)]]
'''15 members''': Using the same techniques, the IGN has identified the geographic centre of the 15-member Union (1995–2004) to be in [[Viroinval]], [[Belgium]], at coordinates {{coord|50|00|33|N|4|39|59|E|region:BE_type:landmark|name=Viroinval (15 members)}}, and a monument there records that finding.
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=== 2004–2007 ===
[[File:Kleinmaischeid Zirkelschlag.jpg|thumb|left|upright=.8|Memorial at [[Kleinmaischeid]] (25-member-EU)]]
'''25 members''': The 25-member Union (2004–2007), had a centre calculated by the IGN to be situated at {{coord|50|31|31|N|7|35|50|E|region:DE_type:landmark|name=Kleinmaischeid (25 members)}}, in the village of [[Kleinmaischeid]], [[Rhineland-Palatinate]], [[Germany]].
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=== 2007–2013 ===
[[File:Mittelpunkt Europas bei Gelnhausen-Meerholz.JPG|thumb|left|upright=.8|Memorial at [[Gelnhausen]]-[[Meerholz]] (27-member-EU)]]
'''27 members''': On 1 January 2007, with the inclusion of Romania and Bulgaria in the European Union, the geographic centre of the European Union changed to a wheat field outside of the German town [[Gelnhausen]], in the state of [[Hesse]], 115&nbsp;km east of the previous marker, at {{coord|50|10|21|N|9|9|0|E|region:DE_type:landmark|name=Gelnhausen (27 members)}}.<ref>{{cite web |last=Frey |first=George |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070105-1040-centerofeurope.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911195556/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20070105-1040-centerofeurope.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-09-11 |title=5 January 2007 |publisher=Signonsandiego.com |date=2007-01-05 |access-date=2011-01-03 }}</ref>
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=== 2013–2020 ===
[[File:Mittelpunkt der EU seit 10. Mai 2014 in Westerngrund.JPG|thumb|left|upright=.8|Geographical centre of the 28-member European Union including [[Mayotte]] (from 10 May 2014) in [[Westerngrund]], [[Bavaria]]]]
'''28 members''': On 1 July 2013, with the accession of Croatia, the geographic centre entered North-West [[Bavaria]] in the place [[Westerngrund]] at the river [[Schulzengrundbach]]<!--{{Coordinate|type=landmark|text= (Lage)|NS=50.117286|EW=9.247768|region=DE-BY |name=geographischer Mittelpunkt der EU}}.--> at {{coord|50|7|2.23|N|9|14|51.97|E|region:DE_type:landmark|name=Geographical Centre of EU in Westerngrund (28 members since 1 July 2013)}}. When the French [[overseas department]] [[Mayotte]] (Indian Ocean island group between [[Southeast Africa]]n mainland  and [[Madagascar]]) joined the EU on 10 May 2014 (as part of France), the geographic center shifted by 500&nbsp;m to {{coord|50|6|8.004|N|9|15|15.91|E|region:DE_type:landmark|name=Geographical Centre of EU in Westerngrund (28 members including Mayotte since 10 May 2014)}}, still at Westerngrund, beside a path.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?query=50%C2%B06%E2%80%B28.004%E2%80%B3N%209%C2%B015%E2%80%B215.91%E2%80%B3E |title = OpenStreetMap}}</ref> It is 40&nbsp;km east of [[Frankfurt]], Germany, which is headquarters to the [[European Central Bank]].
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=== 2020–present ===
[[File:GADHEIM-EU-CENTRE-OF-POST-BREXIT.jpg|alt=|left|thumb|[[Gadheim]], [[Bavaria]]]]

'''27 members after [[Brexit]]''': On 31 January 2020, with the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, the geographical mid-point moved to [[Gadheim]] near [[Würzburg]], [[Bavaria]], at {{coord|49|50|34.8|N|9|54|07.4|E|region:DE_type:landmark|display=inline|name=geometric center of EU, post-Brexit}}.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Connolly|first1=Kate|title=Gadheim – the Bavarian hamlet set to become the centre of a post-Brexit EU|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/apr/06/gadheim-the-bavarian-hamlet-at-the-centre-of-post-brexit-eu|accessdate=5 September 2017|work=The Guardian|date=6 April 2017}}</ref>

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=== Other calculations ===

The geographical midpoint of the European Union is not free from disputes either. If some different [[extreme points of the European Union]], like some [[Atlantic Ocean]] islands, are taken into consideration this point is calculated in different locations.{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

=== Eurozone ===
The original centre of the [[Eurozone]] is located in [[France]]. This location has changed with the accession of new countries into the Eurozone (e.g. Slovakia 2009).{{citation needed|date=April 2015}}

== See also ==
*[[Central Europe]]
*[[Centroid]]
*[[Intermediate Region]]
*[[Geography of Europe]]
*[[Extreme points of the European Union]]
*[[Geographical centre of Earth]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
{{Commons category|Geographical centre of Europe}}
* {{cite journal
  | last = Gardner
  | first = N
  | title = Pivotal points: defining Europe's centre
  | journal = Hidden Europe
  | issue = 5
  | pages = 20–21
  |date=November 2005
  | url = http://www.hiddeneurope.co.uk/article_info.php?articles_id=123
  | access-date = 2007-01-11 }} Useful short English language article that considers the claims of various localities to be the geographical centre of Europe.

{{Europe topics (small)}}

[[Category:Geographical centres|Europe]]
[[Category:Geography of Europe|Centre]]
[[Category:Geography of Vilnius]]
[[Category:Geography of Landskrona]]
[[Category:Cultural history of Landskrona]]