THE EUROPEAN UNION

The EU today (click on map to enlarge)

Size

3,976,372 km²

Size comparison

Europe is less than one-half the size of the USA.

Landscape

Flat along the Baltic and Atlantic coasts; mountainous in the central and southern areas.

Highest Point

Mont Blanc, at 4,807m, on the border between France and Italy.

Climate

Cold temperate; potentially subarctic in the north to temperate; mild wet winters; hot dry summers in the south.

European construction, key dates

1952: 6 countries formed a community: the EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY.

1957: the European Economic Community was set up, made of 6 countries: Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg.

1985: most of the countries sign the Schengen Agreement which led to the creation of the borderless Schengen area. 

1993: the European Union set up following the Treaty of Maastricht.

2002: the euro became the common money of the Eurozone.

The 28 members of the European Union (+ dates they joined)

Austria (1995)

Belgium (1957)

Bulgaria (2007)

Croatia (2013)

Cyprus (2004)

Czech Republic (2004)

Denmark (1973)

Estonia (2004)

Finland (1995)

France (1957)

Germany (1957)

Greece (1981)

Hungary (2004)

Ireland (1973)

Italy (1957)

Latvia (2004)

Lithuania (2004)

Luxembourg (1957)

Malta (2004)

Netherlands (1957)

Poland (2004)

Portugal (1986)

Romania (2007)

Slovakia (2004)

Slovenia (2004)

Spain (1986)

Sweden (1995)

United Kingdom (1973)

When did countries join the EEC/EU?

1957

Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands

1973

Denmark, United Kingdom, Ireland

1981

Greece

1986

Portugal, Spain

1995

Austria, Finland, Sweden

2004

Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia

2007

Bulgaria, Romania

2013

Croatia

Official languages

Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish.

Religions

Christianity, Islam, Judaism

Anthem

The Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s 9^th symphony was adopted in 1972 by the Council of Europe as the anthem for Europe. It is used on occasions such as Europe Day and formal events such as the signing of treaties or on other special occasions.

Slogan

United in diversity

Flag

EU Institutions

• The European Parliament represents the EU’s inhabitants and is directly elected by them.
• The Council of the European Union represents the governments of the individual member countries. The Presidency of the Council is shared by the member states.
• The European Commission, which represents the full interests of the Union.
• The Court of Justice of the EU confirms the rules of European law
• The Court of Auditors checks the financing of the EU's activities.
• The European Central Bank is responsible for European monetary policy.
• The European External Action Service (EEAS) assists the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, currently Federica Mogherini. She chairs the Foreign Affairs Council and conducts the common foreign and security policy, also ensuring the consistency and coordination of the EU's external action.
• The European Economic and Social Committee represents civil society, employers and employees.
• The Committee of the Regions represents regional and local authorities.
• The European Investment Bank finances EU investment projects and helps small businesses through the European Investment Fund.
• The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration by EU institutions and bodies.
• The European Data Protection Supervisor safeguards the privacy of people’s personal data.
• The Publications Office publishes information about the EU.
• The European Personnel Selection Office recruits staff for the EU institutions and other bodies.
• The European School of Administration provides training in specific areas for members of EU staff.

What is Europe Day?

Europe Day on 9^th of May; it is an annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. How did it begin? On the 9^th of May in 1950, French foreign minister Robert Schuman called all the European countries still recovering from the Second World War to pool their production of coal and steel. This was a real step to institute peace and solidarity in Europe. And it was a way to boost the Europe economy. The Schuman Declaration is seen as the real start of European political and economic integration. To celebrate this day, EU institutions and ordinary citizens organize concerts, dance shows, giant quizzes, information stands and all sorts of activities.

What do you know about each country of the EU?

In this blog you will find basic information on each country:

1. Physical geography
2. An iconic place
3. An iconic object
4. Something the country has done for the world
5. Famous historical figure
6. Important living person
7. History before 2000
8. History after 2000
9. Human geography (demography,  wealth distribution, social problems, etc.)
10. Language(s) and culture(s)
11. Politics, place in the EU, economy
12. Youth

Article by Margaux GUILHEM