Milan Jerečič

What is Union?

The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of independent member states which are located in Europe. The EU is based on European Coal and Steel Community and

the European Economic Community, formed in 1958.

Basic Characteristics

The Maastricht Treaty established the European Union current name.There are 27 member states.

Population of EU is about 500 mil. people.The currency is euro in most states, except for e.g. Czech, UK, Denmark, Poland, Sweden.Political centres are Brussels, Luxembourg

and Strassbourg.

Anthem is Ode to Joy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXuhvzbQ5EI&feature=fvst

Euro Flag

History

The Union was established by 6 states (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium,

Netherlands, Luxembourg) in 1952 and since then Union has broadened 6 times. First came

UK, Ireland, Denmark in 1973. Secondly Greece in 1981 and after that Spain and

Portugal in 1986. In 1995 came into Union Finland, Sweden and Austria. In 2004 came Czech, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary, Malta, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Finally came Bulgaria and Romania.

Flag of members

Candidate Countries

The Candidate countries are Croatia, Turkey, Macedonia, Iceland, Serbia and Montenegro.

Norway and Switzerland: governments wanted to join, but people refused to do so in a

plebiscite.

Targets

The EU targets are to create a common market, an economic and monetary union,

employment, competitiveness and improving living standards and environmental quality. To secure these objectives there are 4 conditions:

free movement of goods, persons, services and capital.

The European Parliament building in

Strasbourg, France

The Court of Justice in Luxembourg

Geography

The highest mountain is Mt. Blanc (4808) on France and Italy border.

If the Turkey came into union, the highest mountain would be Ararat (5166).

The largest lake is Vänern in the south of Sweden.

The longest river is Dunaj (2850 km).

The European Union occupies an area of 4,3 million km ²

Overseas Departments

The Union also includes overseas departments, which have mainly:

France - Martinique, Reúnion, French Polynesia,

UK - Bermuda, British Virgin Island, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St. Helena

Netherlands - Aruba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Curacao

Denmark - Greenland

EURO

Launched in virtual form to pay on 1st January 1999, while in the form of foreign exchange was introduced on 1st January 2002 and replaced the formerly valid currency.

Euro replaced currencies like French Franc, German Mark, Italian Lira or Spanish Peseta.

Euro money Since its introduction, the euro has been

the second important value in international reserve currency after the U.S. dollar.

Sources

www.wikipedia.org www.europa.eu www.euractiv.cz