Portal:European Union
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The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe. It has an area of 4,475,757 km2 (1,728,099 sq mi) and an estimated population of about 513 million. The EU has developed an internal single market through a standardised system of laws that apply in all member states in those matters, and only those matters, where members have agreed to act as one. EU policies aim to ensure the free movement of people, goods, services and capital within the internal market, enact legislation in justice and home affairs and maintain common policies on trade, agriculture, fisheries and regional development. For travel within the Schengen Area, passport controls have been abolished. A monetary union was established in 1999 and came into full force in 2002 and is composed of 19 EU member states which use the euro currency.
The EU and European citizenship were established when the Maastricht Treaty came into force in 1993. The EU traces its origins to the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the European Economic Community (EEC), established, respectively, by the 1951 Treaty of Paris and 1957 Treaty of Rome. The original members of what came to be known as the European Communities were the Inner Six: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. The Communities and its successors have grown in size by the accession of new member states and in power by the addition of policy areas to its remit. The latest major amendment to the constitutional basis of the EU, the Treaty of Lisbon, came into force in 2009. While no member state has left the EU or its antecedent organisations, the United Kingdom signified an intention to leave after a membership referendum in June 2016 and is negotiating its withdrawal.
Selected article
The Flag of Europe is the flag and emblem of the European Union (EU) and Council of Europe (CoE). It consists of a circle of 12 golden (yellow) stars on a blue background. It was created in 1955 by the CoE and adopted by the EU, then the European Communities, in the 1980s.
The CoE and EU are distinct in membership and nature. The CoE is a 47-member international organisation dealing with human rights and rule of law, while the EU is a quasi-federal union of 28 states focused on economic integration and political cooperation. Today, the flag is mostly associated with the latter.
It was the intention of the CoE that the flag should come to represent Europe as a whole, and since its adoption the membership of the CoE covers nearly the entire continent. This is why the EU adopted the same flag. The flag has been used to represent Europe in sporting events and as a pro-democracy banner outside the Union.
Selected city
Madrid is the capital of Spain, and the largest city in Spain. It is located on the river Manzanares in the center of the country, between the Autonomous Communities of Castilla y Leon and Castilla la Mancha. Madrid is also the capital of the Community of Madrid, an uniprovincial Autonomous Community. Due to its geographical location, wealth and history, Madrid is considered one of the financial centers of the Iberian Peninsula, together with Lisbon, and the political center of Spain.
As the capital of the former Spanish Empire, Madrid is a city of great cultural and political importance. While Madrid possesses a modern infrastructure, it has preserved the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods and streets. Its landmarks include the huge Royal Palace of Madrid; the Buen Retiro park, opened in 1631; an archaeological museum of international reputation; and three superb art museums.
Selected images
Croatian version of an EU driving licence card with the EU flag on it
The European Capital of Culture programme was launched in the summer of 1985 with Athens being the first title-holder
Parada Równości, Warsaw in 2018, the Court of Justice declared same-sex spouses have EU residence rights.
EU Free trade agreements (2017)European UnionAgreement in forcePendingNegotiating
The seat of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt. 19 of the 28 EU member states have adopted the euro as their legal tender.
The Lisbon Treaty entered into force in 2009
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Out of the 28 EU member states, 22 are also members of NATO. Another three NATO members are EU applicants—Albania, Montenegro and Turkey.
The Eurozone (dark blue) represents 340 million people. The euro is the second-largest reserve currency in the world.
The continental territories of the member states of the European Union (European Communities pre-1993), coloured in order of accession
In 1989, the Iron Curtain fell, enabling the Community to expand further (Berlin Wall pictured)
The Court of Justice, seated in Luxembourg
Group photograph of European Union heads of government on occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in Rome, Italy
The common EU format of vehicle registration plate
(Slovak version pictured)
Lithuania held the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2013.
The hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg
The Congress of Vienna met in 1814–15. The objective of the Congress was to settle the many issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars, the Napoleonic Wars, and the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.
European Health Insurance Card
(Slovenian version pictured)
Organigram of the political system with the seven institutions of the Union in blue, national / intergovernmental elements in orange
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Seat of Frontex in Warsaw, Poland
Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam, renacentist humanist that gave name to Erasmus Programme
Bust of Charlemagne with the German Reichsadler embossed on the metal and the French fleur-de-lis embroidered on the fabric. Aachen Cathedral Treasury
The euro was introduced in 2002, replacing 12 national currencies. Seven countries have since joined.
Vineyards in Romania; EU farms are supported by the Common Agricultural Policy, the largest budgetary expenditure.
Europa and the bull, depicted by Jean-François de Troy (1716)
EU population density in 2014
Scheme of Indo-European migrations from c. 4000 to 1000 BCE according to the Kurgan hypothesisArea possibly settled up to c. 2500 BCE.Area settled up to 1000 BCE.
Starting in 1909, the Giro d'Italia is the Grands Tours' second oldest
The Roman Empire in AD 117, at its greatest extent (with its vassals in pink).
Approximate extent of completed motorway network in Europe as of March 2016
Europe in the Early Middle Ages
A standardised passport design, displaying the name of the member state, the national arms and the words "European Union" given in their official language(s). (Irish model)
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Did you know?
- ...that the presidency of the EU Council rotates every half year?
- ...that the EU parliamentary election is the world's biggest transnational election?
- ...that the European Union was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012?
