<P> Since around 1850 , Europe is most commonly considered to be separated from Asia by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains , the Ural River , the Caspian and Black Seas and the waterways of the Turkish Straits . Although the term `` continent '' implies physical geography , the land border is somewhat arbitrary and has moved since its first conception in classical antiquity . The division of Eurasia into two continents reflects East - West cultural , linguistic and ethnic differences , some of which vary on a spectrum rather than with a sharp dividing line . The border does not follow political boundaries , with Turkey , Russia and Kazakhstan being transcontinental countries . </P>
<P> Since around 1850 , Europe is most commonly considered to be separated from Asia by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains , the Ural River , the Caspian and Black Seas and the waterways of the Turkish Straits . Although the term `` continent '' implies physical geography , the land border is somewhat arbitrary and has moved since its first conception in classical antiquity . The division of Eurasia into two continents reflects East - West cultural , linguistic and ethnic differences , some of which vary on a spectrum rather than with a sharp dividing line . The border does not follow political boundaries , with Turkey , Russia and Kazakhstan being transcontinental countries . </P>
europe and asia are primarily divided along the line that extends along the
europe and asia are primarily divided along the line that extends along the
watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains , the Ural River , the Caspian and Black Seas and the waterways of the Turkish Straits
watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains , the Ural River , the Caspian and Black Seas and the waterways of the Turkish Straits