The European Union “United in Diversity” (EU motto)

A little history: Why was the European Union set up? Why was the European Union set up? The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbors. The European Union is set up with the aim of ending the frequent and bloody wars between neighbors.

Who started the European Union? The six founders are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The six founders are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

European Day! May 9 th is European Union Day…. The ideas behind the European Union were first put forward on 9 May 1950 by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman. So 9 May is celebrated as the EU’s birthday. Robert Schuman

What exactly is the European Union? It is a supranational and intergovernmental union of 27 democratic member states in Europe. Supranational: Intergovernmental: Union:

Those are some big words…. Supranational: power is held by independent appointed officials or by representatives elected by the legislatures or people of the member states Intergovernmental: power is possessed by the member states and decisions are made by unanimity. Union: a type of state which is composed of smaller states.

In other words the EU is…. is a union of twenty-seven independent states (countries) founded to enhance: is a union of twenty-seven independent states (countries) founded to enhance: political, economic and social co-operation political, economic and social co-operation

The EU… is the largest political and economic organization on the European continent is the largest political and economic organization on the European continent has currency called the “euro” has currency called the “euro” abolished passport control, creating a single area of free movement for EU citizens to live, travel, work and invest abolished passport control, creating a single area of free movement for EU citizens to live, travel, work and invest

The ones in yellow are the countries that are apart of the European Union.

Candidate Countries: These are countries that are being considered by the European Union councel to be admitted to the Union. These are countries that are being considered by the European Union councel to be admitted to the Union. Croatia, Turkey, and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Croatia, Turkey, and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. FYI: There are 20 European countries that are not apart of the EU. FYI: There are 20 European countries that are not apart of the EU.

Euro vs. American currency 1 Euro = U.S. dollars 1 Euro = U.S. dollars

The Euro is the official currency of 13 European states. is the official currency of 13 European states. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

The Euro also known as the “Eurozone” – the zone in Europe where the euro is used. also known as the “Eurozone” – the zone in Europe where the euro is used.

The Euro The Euro is not the currency for the European union…not all EU countries have adopted this currency and there are some countries not apart of the EU that use the Euro. The Euro is not the currency for the European union…not all EU countries have adopted this currency and there are some countries not apart of the EU that use the Euro.

Demographics… The European Union is a densely populated, culturally diverse union of 27 member states. The European Union is a densely populated, culturally diverse union of 27 member states. The total population size of the EU is approximately half a billion inhabitants as of January The total population size of the EU is approximately half a billion inhabitants as of January 2008.

Who is in charge of the EU? President of the European : Jose Manuel DURAO BARROSO He is the 12 th president of the European Union. Before becoming the president he was prime minister of Portugal.

What has the European Union done to help? It has brought political stability and economic prosperity to its citizens. It has brought political stability and economic prosperity to its citizens. It has created a frontier-free market and a single currency, the euro. It has created a frontier-free market and a single currency, the euro. It as reunited a fractured continent. It as reunited a fractured continent. It is the world’s biggest donor of development aid to poorer countries. It is the world’s biggest donor of development aid to poorer countries.

How is the European Union similar to the United States of America?