It is indeed fuzzy. It depends on context and in the speaker. When speaking geographically, unless that context is very clear, many people will say “continental Europe“. Moscow and Belarus are definitely in continental Europe.
“Mainland Europe” usually means continental Europe without the UK.
“Europe has strict privacy rules.” Here, it means the European Union, but the speaker may have intended to include Switzerland and the UK. Technically it also includes overseas areas, though people usually don’t think about those.
“European houses are made from concrete.” This speaker is equating Europe to their narrow experience. Building practices, codes, and materials vary widely across Europe - whichever interpretation you use.
“European banks are highly regulated.” This is about the EEU, even if the speaker didn’t consciously think about it that way.
Is Belarus Europe? It depends on the conversation you’re having. Is Georgia? In most contexts, most people would say yes, although it’s not currently in the EU. Azerbaijan I’m not sure, I think most people would say no in most contexts. And of course the UK is a special case, with people even jokingly removing it from continental Europe.
It is indeed fuzzy. It depends on context and in the speaker. When speaking geographically, unless that context is very clear, many people will say “continental Europe“. Moscow and Belarus are definitely in continental Europe.
“Mainland Europe” usually means continental Europe without the UK.
“Europe has strict privacy rules.” Here, it means the European Union, but the speaker may have intended to include Switzerland and the UK. Technically it also includes overseas areas, though people usually don’t think about those.
“European houses are made from concrete.” This speaker is equating Europe to their narrow experience. Building practices, codes, and materials vary widely across Europe - whichever interpretation you use.
“European banks are highly regulated.” This is about the EEU, even if the speaker didn’t consciously think about it that way.
Is Belarus Europe? It depends on the conversation you’re having. Is Georgia? In most contexts, most people would say yes, although it’s not currently in the EU. Azerbaijan I’m not sure, I think most people would say no in most contexts. And of course the UK is a special case, with people even jokingly removing it from continental Europe.