Want to know all about which countries are in the European Union? Then read this article! I will tell you which countries are a part of the EU as well as when they joined and an added interesting fact for each European Union country! Ready to learn more? Read on…
What is the European Union?
What is the European Union? The European Union is a unique economic and political union between 27 countries.
The European Union aims to promote peace, the values and the well being of its citizens, offer freedom, security and justice. They also want to take the appropriate measures to regulate asylums, immigration and prevent and combat crime.
Why was the European Union formed?
The European Union was formed as an effort to integrate Europe after World War 2.
As world War 2 left Europe with millions of civilian casualties, a devastated economy and weak security the only way to achieve peace between countries was through economic and political integration.
In 1952 six countries which were France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg formed the European coal mines and steel community to bring together countries with the coal and steel business- this was very successful.
After many other formations of groups such as the European Economic Community and the Euratom they merged all these together to created the European communities. As more and more countries joined the EC they decided to officially create the European Union in February of 1993.
It was very successful as they added more countries to the European Union in the years that followed.
It was also very successful within the economy and it began to help other sectors of the countries. So they decided to create the EU currency, which many of the countries switched from their own currencies to the Euro.
What are the benefits of being in the European Union?
Are you curious on what are the benefits of the European Union? This list will help explain the benefits that can come form being a part of the European Union:
- There are more jobs and higher wages.
- It stops aggression from other countries as they would have to defend individually.
- Resources are invested instead of fought over by countries.
- The EU makes it easier for people to travel around the world.
- There is more consistency in protection of human rights.
Which countries are in the European Union?
Want to know which countries are a part of the European Union? Well, the following 27 countries are the members of the EU- below you will find information about the date they became part of the EU and other participations that they take within the EU. Furthermore there is also an interesting fact about each country!
Austria
Austria has been part of the EU since 1995. They are also a member of the Euro area, this means that the currency the country uses is Euros (€). Furthermore Austria is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Austria is known for their scenic mountains and the Austrian Alps cover 62% of the total land area.
Belgium
Belgium have been a member of the EU since 1958. They have also been a Euro area member since 1999 which means they also use the standard currency which is the Euro (€). Furthermore Belgium is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Belgium is known for their divine chocolate producing up to 220,000 tons per year.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria have been a member of the European Union since 2007.
Interesting fact: Petko Slaveykov was a Bulgarian poet who created both the Bulgarian flag and the national anthem. The colours of the flag representing peace, freedom and strength.
Croatia
Croatia has been a member of the EU since 2013.
Interesting fact: The country of Croatia is home to the worlds smallest town which is called Hum, having a population of approximately 23 people.
Cyprus
Cyprus has been a member of the European Union since 2004. Furthermore they are also apart of the Euro Area having their currency of Euros (€).
Interesting fact: Cyprus is believed to be the original city of love as Cypriot legend claims that the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite was born on a rock off the shore which is now known as Aphrodite’s beach.
Czechia
Czechia has been a part of the EU since 2004. In addition to this Czechia is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Czechia is home to the most castles in Europe and also home to the largest ancient castle in the world being 570m long and 128m wide.
Denmark
Denmark is a part of the European Union and has been since 1973. In addition to this Denmark is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: If you love an amusement parks Denmark is for you as it is home to two of the oldest amusement parks in the world.
Estonia
Estonia is another country which is a part of the European Union and has been since 2004.
Interesting fact: Estonia was the first country in the world to allow their citizens to vote online in 2005. The country is often acknowledged as the most digitally advanced society in the world.
Finland
Finland has been a member of the EU since 1995. They are also a Euro area member meaning they use the currency of Euro (€). Furthermore Finland is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Finland is known for there many idyllic lakes having 187,888 lakes in the whole of the country.
France
France has been a member of the European Union since 1958 and a Euro area member since 1999 meaning they use the currency of Euro (€). Furthermore, France is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
France is a country filled with lots of culture this is why France has become the most visited country in the world with approximately 89 million people visiting France each year.
Shown in the statistics from this link! https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-visited-countries
Germany
Germany has been a member of the European Union since 1958 and has also been a member of the Euro area since 1999 meaning they use the currency of the Euro (€). Furthermore Germany is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Are you a lover of animals? Well Germany is the perfect place for you as the country has the most zoos in the world, with over 400 of them. Many of these are some of the best zoos in Europe.
Greece
Greece has been a part of the EU since 1981 they also use the Euro(€) which has been in use since 2001. Furthermore Greece is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: 80% of Greece is mountains and to add to the beautiful views of Greece no part of the island is more than 85 miles from the ocean. Even if you are stuck in the middle of the woods!!!
Hungary
Hungary which is another country that is part of the European Union. It been a a part of the EU since 2004.
Interesting fact: Hungary is actually one of the oldest countries in Europe being founded in 895. This makes the country older than France and Germany.
Ireland
Ireland is a part of the European Union and has been since 1973. They also are a Euro area member using the Euro (€).
Interesting fact: If you are a lover of Eurovision this fact is great for you! Ireland is the country who is the most successful at Eurovision wining 7 times.
Italy
Italy has been a member of the EU since 1958. They also partake in the Euro area meaning they use the Euro (€) currency. Furthermore Italy is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Italy has the oldest population in the world with 23% of their country being over 65 years old. Having the average age of the country being 45 years old!
Latvia
Latvia has been a part of the European Union since 2004. They are also a Euro area member meaning they use the currency of Euro (€). Moreover Latvia is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Latvia is home to the widest waterfall in Europe. Being 249m wide and in the spring and autumn season you can witness the extraordinary sights if fish jumping to get over the waterfall!
Lithuania
Lithuania has been a member of the EU since 2004 they are also a part of the Euro area using the Euro (€). Furthermore Lithuania is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Lithuania was the last country in Europe to adopt the religion of Christianity in 1397. Almost 1000 years after the official conversion of the Roman Empire.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg has been a member of the EU since 1958 and a Euro area member since 1999 meaning they use the Euro (€). Furthermore Luxembourg is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Luxembourg are the third richest country in the world! With the highest rate of minimum wage in the European Union.
Malta
Malta has been a part of the EU since 2004 and they also have been a part if the Euro area since 2008 meaning the use the currency Euro (€) . Moreover Malta is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Malta has been a very famous filming location for high cost and high production films. Game of thrones fans will recognise many places in Malta such as Fort Riscasoli in Kalkara which is depicted as ancient Rome in the hit series.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has been a part of the EU since 1958 and they also use the Euro (€) providing the fact that they have been a member of the Euro area since 1999. Furthermore The Netherlands is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: The Netherlands took the big step of being the first country to legalise same sex marriage in 2001, having the first gay wedding take place in their capital Amsterdam.
Poland
Poland has been a member of the European Union since 2004. In addition to this Poland is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: In the city of Wrocław you will find the oldest restaurant in Europe which opened many years back in 1275 an d you can still enjoy a delectable meal there today!
Portugal
Portugal has been a member of the European Union since 1986 and a member of the Euro area since 1999 this means they use the Euro (€). Moreover Portugal is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Afraid of heights maybe this isn’t the one for you but Portugal is home to the worlds longest pedestrian bridge! At 561 meters long it can take up to ten minutes to cross this bridge.
Romania
Romania is another country that is a part of the European Union. They have been a member of the EU since 2007.
Interesting fact: Romania is home to the heaviest building in the world The Palace of Parliament in Bucharest with 1,100 rooms and eight underground levels beneath its 12 storeys. Inside you will also happen to find a whopping three and a half tons of crystal, 500 chandeliers and more than 700,00 tons of steel bronze for windows alone!
Slovakia
Slovakia is part of the European Union and has been since 2004. In addition to this the country also takes part in the Euro area meaning they have the Euro (€). Moreover Slovakia is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Slovakia is home to the Krasnohorska Cave which is the worlds tallest cave column reaching 34 metres high!
Slovenia
Slovenia has been a member of the EU since 2004 as well as being a part of the Euro area which means they use the currency Euro (€). Furthermore Slovenia is also a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: Slovenia has a tradition of lighting a bonfire on the last day in April just before the 1st of May which is workers day. Today the bonfire is a symbol of workers rights.
Spain
Spain has been a member of the EU since 1986 and a Euro area member since 1999 meaning they use the currency of Euro (€). Furthermore Spain is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: If you enjoy getting messy Spain holds the messiest festival in the world were around 40,000 visitors take part in the La Tomatina festival in the small town of Buñol. It lasts around an hour throwing up to 150,000 ripe tomatoes which is almost 40 tonnes! This is perfect for fun loving family’s.
Sweden
Sweden has been a member of the European Union since 1995. In addition to this Sweden is a part of the Schengen area meaning they have abolished their internal borders allowing free unrestricted movement of people.
Interesting fact: If you are a lover of music and a user of Spotify you are probably surprised to know the audio streaming service was created in Sweden in 2006. With over 365 million monthly active listeners It has made Swedish man Daniel Ek a billionaire!
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