What is the largest country in Europe by area?

<p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"><strong>1. Russia*:</strong> is the largest country in Europe, occupying an area of 3,972,400 ^km2 within the territory of the European continent.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> Russia is a transcontinental country, meaning that it is located only partially in Europe, and this area is within Europe only.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <strong>2. Ukraine:</strong> It is the second largest country in Europe, occupying an area of 603,628 ^km2 of the European continent.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"> <strong>3. France:</strong> It is the third largest country in Europe, occupying an area of 551,695 ^km2 of the European continent.</p><p style=";text-align:left;direction:ltr"></p>