Europe is the second smallest continent located between the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Asia to the east, and the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea to the south. The longest mountain ranges are the Ural Mountains in Russia and the Alps spanning parts of France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany and Austria, with the highest peak being Mont Blanc in the Alps. Major rivers include the Volga in Russia, the Danube flowing into the Black Sea, and the Rhine originating in the Alps and emptying into the North Sea.