<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
watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains , the Ural River , the Caspian and Black Seas and the waterways of the Turkish Straits