European Union

www.nationsonline.org

European Union is made up of 27 nations (500 million people)

Two newest countries that joined in 2007 were Bulgaria and Romania

3 Candidate CountriesCroatiaMacedoniaTurkey

23 official Languages

Economic Activity and Trade

One of the EU’s main aims is economic progress. Over the past 50 years, and especially since the 1980s, much has been done to break down the barriers between the EU’s national economies and to create a single market where goods, people, money and services can move around freely. Trade between EU countries has greatly increased and, at the same time, the EU has become a major world trading power

Trade Before the EU European countries had

to pay customs duties, or taxes, on goods they traded with other European countries.

Many European countries’ economies were small compared to those of larger nations like the United States

After the EU EU countries are part

of a common market. They can trade freely with each other without having to pay taxes.

EU countries create a combined economy that is one of the largest in the world.

Currency Before the EU Each European

country had its own separate currency

European countries and their citizens had to exchange currencies to buy goods from other countries

After the EU Most European

countries share one currency, the Euro

EU countries and their citizens can use the Euro to guy goods throughout Europe

The Euro

Work and Travel Before the EU European citizens

had to have passports to travel from one country to another

Europeans had to obtain special permission to work and live in other countries in Europe

After the EU Citizens of the EU

do not need to have passports to travel throughout Europe

Citizens of the EU can work and live anywhere in the EU without obtaining special permission

Flag of the European Union The stars in a circle

symbolize the ideals of unity, solidarity, and harmony among the people of Europe.

There are twelve stars because the number twelve is traditionally the symbol of perfection, completeness and unity. It is also the number of the original member countries.