EU Countries and Institutions

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The Kingdom of Denmark is a Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe. It borders the Baltic Sea and the North Sea by water. EU Member country since: 1 January 2019 Percentage of total EU population: 1,30% Language(s): Danish. Currency: Krone Currency symbol: Kr Mainly export to: Germany, United States, Sweden, Netherlands, and United Kingdom Mainly import from: Sweden &nbsp;Netherlands China&nbsp;Poland Seats in in the European Parliament: 13

Silent Film Flag GIF by Det Danske Filminstitut

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Poland,officially the&nbsp;Republic of Poland,&nbsp;is a country in&nbsp;Central Europe. It is divided into 16 administrative provinces called&nbsp;voivodeships, covering an area of 312,696&nbsp;km2&nbsp;(120,733&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi). Poland has a population of 38 million and is the fifth-most populous&nbsp;member state of the European Union.&nbsp;Warsaw&nbsp;is the nation's capital and largest&nbsp;metropolis. Other major cities include&nbsp;Kraków,&nbsp;Wrocław,&nbsp;Łódź,&nbsp;Poznań,&nbsp;Gdańsk, and&nbsp;Szczecin.

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Romania is a country in southeastern Europe and is in the European Union. Its capital city is Bucarest. EU Member State since: 1 January 2007 Percentage of total EU population: 0.7% Language: Romanian Currency: Lei Currency symbol: RON Mainly export to: Germany, Italy, France, Hungary, Bulgaria. Mainly import to: Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland, France, China, Netherlands. Seats in Parliament: 32

Interesting facts: Although the majority of Romanians are Christians, Romania has no official religion. Romania is the richest in gold country resources in Europe. Romanian inventor Henry Coanda designed and built the world's first jet-powered aircraft, known as the Coanda 1910. Romania is also known as the "Land of Dracula" and Bran is home to Dracula's Castle. Churches in Transylvanian villages were fortified like castles to protect them from constant enemy attacks.

The European Commission: The European Commission promotes the general interest of the European Union. Members: There is a team of Commissioners, 1 from each EU country.

The European Council: The EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. Members: The members of the European Council are the heads of state or government of the 27 EU member states, the European Council President and the President of the European Commission.

The Court of Justice: It deals with requests for preliminary rulings from national courts, certain actions for annulment and appeals. General Court – rules on actions for annulment brought by individuals, companies and, in some cases, EU governments. Members: <a href="http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/jcms/Jo2_7026/en/">1 judge from each EU country</a>, plus 11 advocates general

The Court of Auditors: It looks after the interests of EU taxpayers. It does not have legal powers but works to improve the European Commission's management of the EU budget and reports on EU finances, in Luxembourg. Members: A collegiate body of 27 Members, one from each Member State.&nbsp;

Interesting facts: 1. 80% of Greece is made up of mountains 2. More tourists visit Greece every year than the entire Greek population 3. Greece is the third largest producer of olives

Currency: Euro Currency symbol: €

Interesting facts: 1. Over 50% of Estonian land is covered by forest. 2. There are 1,500 islands, 1,000 lakes and 7,000 rivers in Estonia. 3. Estonia was the first country to adopt an online political voting system. 4. Estonia won the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest 5. With a population of just over 1.3 million, it is one of the least populous members of the European Union, the Eurozone, the OECD, the Schengen Area, and NATO.&nbsp;

Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe on the Baltic Sea. It is bordered on the north by Finland and the Gulf of Finland, on the west by Sweden and the sea, on the south by Latvia, and on the east by Lake Peipus and Russia. Estonian territory consists of the mainland and the large islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The capital Tallinn and Tartu are the country's largest metropolitan areas. Estonian is the official language of Estonia, the first language of the majority of the population, and the second most spoken Finnish language in the world. As of January 1, 2011, Estonia introduced the euro, becoming the 17th member of the eurozone.

Top 10 Places to visit in Estonia

Check your knowledge!!! <a href="https://learningapps.org/view2683572">Enjoy</a>!!!

Resources: 1. Dooley Jenny, Legacy, Student's Book, Part One, level B1, Express Publishing, 2019 2. LearningApps.org 3. <a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/institutions-and-bodies/search-all-eu-institutions-and-bodies/court-justice-european-union-cjeu_en">European Union</a> 4. europa.eu 5. EU Bookshop, <a href="https://op.europa.eu/en/web/general-publications/publications">bookshop.europa.eu</a>

* Did you find the missing \EU countries-members? They are Republic of Cyprus (Nicosia), Czech Republic (Prague), Latvia (Riga), Lithuania (Vilnius), Luxembourg (Luxembourg), Slovakia (Bratislava), Slovenia (Ljubljana), Sweden ( Stockholm).

'Nesho Bonchev' High School - Panagyurishte, Bulgaria

Italy is a country located in Southern Europe, bordered by France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, and the Mediterranean Sea. It has a population of approximately 60 million people and its capital city is Rome.

Italy has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its history, art, architecture, fashion, and cuisine. Some of its most famous landmarks include the Colosseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Vatican City, and the canals of Venice.

The Italian economy is the eighth-largest in the world and is based on a mix of agriculture, industry, and services. Italy is a member of the European Union and the United Nations, and it has played a significant role in shaping European culture and history.

Italian is the official language of Italy, and it is spoken by the majority of the population. However, there are also many regional dialects and minority languages spoken in different parts of the country.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65a2Qzb_Vo8">Interesting places to visit in Italy</a>

Croatia is a country at the crossroads of&nbsp;Central&nbsp;and&nbsp;Southeast Europe. Its coast lies entirely on the&nbsp;Adriatic Sea. It borders&nbsp;Slovenia&nbsp;to the northwest,&nbsp;Hungary&nbsp;to the northeast,&nbsp;Serbia&nbsp;to the east,&nbsp;Bosnia and Herzegovina&nbsp;and&nbsp;Montenegro&nbsp;to the southeast, and shares a&nbsp;maritime border&nbsp;with&nbsp;Italy&nbsp;to the west and southwest. Its capital and largest city,&nbsp;Zagreb, forms one of the country's&nbsp;primary subdivisions, with&nbsp;twenty counties. The country spans 56,594 square kilometres (21,851 square miles), and has a population of nearly 3.9&nbsp;million.

The European Parliament: makes laws, represents citizens of countries-members Members: elected by citizens every 5 years

The Council of the European Union: It discusses main issues and decides on new laws Members: Government ministers from every EU country

<a href="bookcreator://page/IgZLxdeCRCqvpp4BKqA8Dw">EU Institutions</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/heoGJ5fkQzuvScJK7SiZaA">Austria</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/dv_xHvRpTmuA4MKJ4JWwiQ">Bulgaria</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/dv_xHvRpTmuA4MKJ4JWwiQ">Belgium</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/GZSB9m5tTqWIISkJ0C8-aw">Croatia</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/0LcxABgwTIa8-lkESuZpkw">Denmark</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/BgxhVyeKRiuOPBgQP_sOVQ">Estonia</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/iPV0J9sLSzK-XoMcKD2mSg">Finland</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/Xlb3pbN0TjWNcX_DN8Ff_w">France</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/QObK801KTia7t5gvgAWaww">Germany</a>

<a href="bookcreator://page/BG95RxigR_23aXYk7FCBIg">Greece</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/vCZbhz2BTRyxvaZ3WTn4fg">Hungary</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/zxMejwM_QEmR6XDWqLkzAg">Ireland</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/GCE5x0ZqQ424_vYqMkvgHA">Italy</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/toPk-8X2TmWEat5fD_W_dw">Malta</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/VDAb9NxSRWyv-ffslDkEPw">The Netherlands</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/41aHT23-To-7vsmN33SSQA">Poland</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/sb4r279mSpqnAGeyVTOcZQ">Portugal</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/WXpyrSQmSHeZ4CGtcCp66g">Romania</a> <a href="bookcreator://page/65msT1hKQQykMVcV6qmG0g">Spain</a>

* Some countries are not included in the list of the EU country members. Can you guess what countries-members are not presented?

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Spain&nbsp;or the&nbsp;Kingdom of Spain&nbsp;is a country primarily located in southwestern&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;with parts of territory in the&nbsp;Atlantic Ocean&nbsp;and across the&nbsp;Mediterranean Sea. It is part of the European Union. EU Member country since: since 1 January 1986 Percentage of total EU population: 13.5% Language(s): &nbsp;Spanish Currency: euro Currency symbol: € Mainly export to: France,&nbsp;Germany,&nbsp;Portugal,&nbsp;Italy, and&nbsp;United Kingdom&nbsp; Mainly import from: Germany,&nbsp;France,&nbsp;China,&nbsp;Italy, and&nbsp;Netherlands Seats in the European Parliament: 59

Interesting facts:

1) Spain Was The World’s First Global Empire

2) Madrid Has The Oldest Restaurant In The World

3) There Is No Tooth Fairy In Spain, But Rather A Tooth Mouse Called Ratoncito Perez

Fact #1: Croatian famous dogs Croatia is the home of world popular dog breed called Dalmatians. Fact #2: Who said old Slavs didn’t write? Croatians used their Glagolitic script which is the oldest Slavic script. Fact #3: Trade transformation from&nbsp;fur&nbsp;to coins Croatian money was named Kuna because trappers used to trade their furs. Fact #4: Small town with a big heart Croatia is home of the world’s smallest town called “Hum” Fact #5: Croatia is not that big - really Croatia is the 127th&nbsp;largest country in the world.

Germany is a country in&nbsp;Central Europe. It is the&nbsp;second-most populous country&nbsp;in Europe after&nbsp;Russia, and the most populous&nbsp;member state of the European Union. EU Member country since: 1 January 1958 Percentage of total EU population: 18.60% Language(s): &nbsp;German Currency: euro Currency symbol: € Mainly export to: United States, France, Netherlands, Poland, and Italy Mainly import from: Netherlands, United States, Poland, Norway, and France Seats in in the European Parliament: 96

Interesting facts:

1) Germany is the EU’s largest economy

2) Germany is Europe’s second-largest beer consumer

3) Smoking is banned in public places but drinking is still legal

The Kingdom of the Netherlands  or just the Netherlands (Nederland) is a country, a constitutional monarchy, located mainly in Northwestern Europe. The capital citi Is Amsterdam.  

EU Member State since: 1 January 1958 Language: Dutch Currency:Euro Currency symbol: €&nbsp; Mainly export to: Belgium, France, USA, German Mainly import to: Chine USA Seats in Parliament: 29

The Dutch Soccer GIF by Metro by T-Mobile

Ineresting facts: There are more bikes than people in the Netherlands. There are an average of 1.3 bicycles per person. It's a little known fact that 25,000 bicycles end up in Amsterdam's canals every year. There is not a single abandoned or stray animal in the Netherlands. The authorities have even passed a law that prohibits violence against animals.

EU member country since: Portugal joined the European Union in 1986 and was one of the first countries to adopt the euro on 1 January 1999.

Languages: Portuguese,&nbsp;Mirandese and Portuguese Sign Language.

Population: 10,074,432 people.

Mainly export to: Spain ($19.3B), France ($9.33B), Germany ($8.13B), United States ($4.49B), and United Kingdom ($4.08B).

Mainly import from: Spain (€2.72B), Germany (€973M), France (€557M), Netherlands (€465M), and China (€421M).

Seats in the EU Parliament: 21 members&nbsp;

France is a country located in Western Europe. It is known for its rich history, culture, fashion, food, and wine. Paris, the capital city of France, is one of the most visited cities in the world and is famous for its iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and Notre-Dame Cathedral.

France is the largest country in the European Union, with a population of around 67 million people. The official language is French, and the currency is the Euro. France is a member of the United Nations, the European Union, NATO, and the World Trade Organization, among other international organizations.

France has a diverse economy with a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and services industries. The country is known for its high-quality wines, cheeses, and cuisine, and is also a major exporter of luxury goods such as perfume and fashion. The French automotive industry is also a significant player in the global market.

Overall, France is a country with a unique culture, history, and economy, and is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world.

Interesting places to visit in France

EU member country since 1 January 1958 Official languages: Dutch, French and German Currency: Euro

Mainly export to: Germany, France, Netherlands, United States and United Kingdom Mainly import from: &nbsp;The main suppliers are the Netherlands, Germany, France, the United States and China

Seats in the EU Parliament: 21

Interesting facts: 1. Belgian national symbol is a peeing boy 2. Belgium is the land of music festivals and parades 3. Belgians invented the "French fries"

EU member country since: EU member country since&nbsp;2007

Languages: Bulgarian&nbsp;

Seats in the EU Parliament: 17 members

Population: appr. 6.8 mln people

Currency: BGN (Bulgarian Notes - leva)

Mainly import from: Main import partners are Germany, Russia, Italy.

Mainly export to: Main exports partners are Germany, Italy, Turkey.

EU member country since: 1 January 1995

Mainly export to: Germany, US, Italy, Switzerland and France

Mainly import from: Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, China and United States

Interesting facts: 1. Austria is&nbsp;home to Europe’s tallest waterfall 2. Austria is one of the world’s most eco-friendly countries 3. In Austria, it’s considered bad luck if you share a toast and don’t maintain eye contact with the other person.

Seats in thre European Parlament: 96

EU member country since: EU member country since&nbsp;2004

Languages: Estonian, English, Finnish and Russian&nbsp;

Seats in the EU Parliament: 7 members

Population: 1,357,739 people

Currency: the euro

Currency symbol: €

Mainly import from: Main import partners are Finland, Sweden and Germany.

Mainly export to: Main exports partners are Sweden, Finland, and Russia.

1-Finland is the country with the highest standard of living in the world. Located in Northeastern Europe, it borders Sweden, Norway and Russia.

2-The population of Finland is about 5 million people. Its density is 18 inhabitants per square km - the lowest in the EU. At the other pole is Malta, where 1,000 people live in one square kilometer.

Северното сияние озари небето над Финландия

3-One of the strangest races in the world takes place in Finland. It is for couples and consists of the husband carrying his wife across the course. The prize – its weight, but in beer.

4-There are more saunas in Finland than cars. The country is also home to some of the strangest such facilities, located in unlikely locations – such as in a cable car or on a ship.

5-In Finland, 9 out of 10 plastic bottles are returned for recycling. Almost 100% of glass bottles are also recycled.

6-There is a resort in the country where you sleep in a glass igloo to watch the Northern Lights.

7-Cell phone throwing is an official sport in Finland.

Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country located on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, whose territory includes the Azores and Madeira Islands. Located at the westernmost tip of continental Europe, the Iberian Peninsula is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south, and by Spain to the north and east, the only country bordering Portugal.  Lisbon is the capital and the largest city by population. The official language is Portuguese. Portugal's currency is the Euro (€), which replaced the Portuguese Escudo in 2002, making it one of the original members of the Eurozone.

10 Best Places to Visit in Portugal 

Interesting facts: 1. What is Portugal famous for?&nbsp;Wine, for sure; this is where you'll find some of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world. 2. Portugal is one of the oldest nations in Europe. 3. The oldest operating bookstore in the world is located in Lisbon.&nbsp; 4. Portugal is one of the most peaceful countries. 5. There are over 250 million Portuguese speakers around the globe.

1. Poland is home to the world’s biggest castle - <a href="https://wawel.krakow.pl/en">Wawel </a>Royal castle 2. Poland has one of the world’s oldest salt mines - <a href="https://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/">The Wieliczka Salt mine</a> 3. Vodka originated in Poland 4. Europe’s heaviest animals live in Poland - bear

EU member country since&nbsp;1 May 2004 Official languages: Maltese, Maltese Sign Language and English Currency: Euro

Mainly export to: &nbsp;Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Libya and the United States. Mainly import from: Italy, the United Kingdom, Germany and France

Seats in the EU Parliament: 6

Interesting facts: 1. One of the smallest countries 2. There are sunken ships from World War II in Maltese waters 3. The World's best climate

Budapest: The Taste of Europe. Timelab & Havasi collaboration

Hungary is located in Central Europe and shares its borders with Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.  Its capital is Budapest with a population of 2000 million. Hungary was once part of the Celtic world, then the Roman Empire. After the fall of Rome, the Huns settled in the plains of Pannonia and gave their name to Hungary.

Interesting facts: Thanks to its abundance of natural hot springs, Hungary has around 450 spas and baths. The culture of baths has existed since Roman times and they are believed to be the best cure for a hangover. According to legend, if you touch the fountain pen of the Statue of Anonymous in Budapest's City Arch, it will grant you extraordinary writing skills. You may not believe it, but the shiny surface of the pen shows that many probably believed the legend. A beer in Budapest's pubs is a must when visiting the city. They are located in many of the bombed and bullet-scarred buildings and are an interesting place to have a palinka and to hold celebrations. The Hungarian language is part of the Finno-Ugric languages and is considered one of the most difficult languages in the world.

lreland held the EU presidency in 1975 for the first time. The economy of Ireland has improved a lot since becoming part of the EU. There were only nine countries in the EU in 1973 when Ireland first joined. EU Member country since: 1 January 1973 Percentage of total EU population: 0,9% Language(s): &nbsp;Irish, English. Currency: Euro Currency symbol: € Mainly export to: USA, UK, Belgium, Mainly import from: UK, USA, France Seats in in the European Parliament: 11

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