The European Union consists of 27 member states with over 500 million people. It was founded after World War 2 to promote peace and prosperity in Europe. It has expanded from its original 6 countries to 27 today. Key symbols of the EU include the European flag, anthem, and motto of "United in diversity." The euro is the single currency used by many EU states. The largest countries by population are Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain.

1. The European Union

2. The European Union: 500 million people – 27 countries Member states of the European Union Candidate countries

3. Founders New ideas for lasting peace and prosperity… Konrad Adenauer Robert Schuman Winston Churchill Alcide De Gasperi Jean Monnet

4. Enlargement: from six to 27 countries 1952 1973 1981 1986 1990 1995 2004 2007

5. The EU symbols The European flag The European anthem Europe Day, 9 May The motto: United in diversity

6. 23 official languages

7. The euro – a single currency for Europeans EU countries using the euro EU countries not using the euro Can be used everywhere in the euro area  Coins: one side with national symbols, one side common  Notes: no national side

8. How big are the EU countries? Surface area in 1 000 km² France Spain Sweden Germany Poland Finland Italy United Kingdom Romania Greece Bulgaria Hungary Portugal Austria Czech Republic Ireland Lithuania Latvia Slovakia Estonia Denmark Netherlands Belgium Slovenia Cyprus Luxemburg Malta 544 506 410 357 313 305 295 244 230 131 111 93 92 83 77 68 63 62 49 43 43 34 30 20 9 3 0.3

9. How many people live in the EU? Population in millions, 2009 500 million total 82.1 64.4 61.6 60.1 45.8 38.1 21.5 16.5 11.3 10.6 10.8 10.5 10.0 9.3 8.4 7.6 5.5 5.4 5.3 4. 5 3.3 2.3 2.0 1.3 0.8 0.5 0.4 France Spain Sweden Poland Finland Italy United Kingdom Romania Greece Bulgaria Hungary Portugal Austria Czech Republic Ireland Lithuania Latvia Slovakia Estonia Denmark Netherlands Belgium Slovenia Cyprus Luxemburg Malta Germany

10. EU population in the world Population in millions, 200 9 500 1339 128 142 307 EU China Japan Russia United States