An Introduction to the European Union

• The European Union (EU) collaborates to improve the lives of people within its member states

Trade

• EU countries cooperate on trade, eliminating taxes on goods being transported between them

Joint Projects

• EU countries collaborate on large, expensive projects, including building aeroplanes and conducting scientific research

Farming

• The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) ensures reasonable food prices and proper compensation for farmers

Working Conditions

• EU citizens can work in any EU country without special permission
• Laws exist regarding work hours, safety, and pay levels within the EU

Fishing

• Overfishing around Europe is causing fish stocks to decline
• The EU has laws regulating when fishing boats can go to sea, where they can fish, and the types of nets they can use

Environment

• Many EU countries face similar pollution issues
• Laws are in place to protect the environment and reduce pollution levels

Data about the EU

• The EU has a population of over 500 million
• Approximately 80,000 ships visit EU ports annually
• The EU ranks as the world's largest aid donor

Highest Mountain

• Mount Elbrus (5,642 m/ 18,510 ft) is the highest mountain in Europe, situated in Russia as part of the Caucasus range
• Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the European Alps, standing at 4,810 m/ 15,781 ft on the border of Italy and France
• The Alps are the longest and highest mountain range completely located in Europe

Additional Data

• Europe is the only continent without deserts
• The European coastline is approximately 66,000 km long
• Finland is 5% forested and contains the most trees in Europe

The European Union's Origins

• After World War II (1939-1945), Europe needed rebuilding
• Cooperation was seen as a way to maintain peace
• In 1957, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands agreed on a plan to develop farming, industry, and increase wages, leading to the formation of the EU

Weather

• Western Europe has a moist, moderate climate
• Eastern Europe experiences cold winters and hot summers, especially in the southeast
• Countries near the Mediterranean Sea have hot, dry summers and mild winters

Largest Country and Capital

• The European part of Russia covers more area than any other country
• The largest countries are Russia, Ukraine, and France
• Moscow has over 13 million residents within its city limits
• St. Petersburg, with 5.3 million inhabitants, is second largest
• Moscow is the largest city located entirely on the European continent

Volga River

• The Volga River runs through Russia and is the longest river in Europe at 2,294 miles
• The river is so wide in places that you cannot see the other side
• One of the biggest battles of World War II took place on the banks
• Large sturgeon fish live in the river

European Regions

• Europe is the second smallest continent in size
• The continent has approximately 44 countries, including England, France, Croatia, and part of Russia
• About 743 million people live in Europe
• This makes it the third largest continent by population

Landscape

• Europe spans about 4000 kilometers from north to south and has a variety of landscapes
• These include vast forests in Russia and high mountain ranges
• The continent has very little desert, and a large proportion of its land is suitable for farming
• More than half of Europe, including Western and Eastern regions, consists of fairly flat, low plains
• Glaciers in parts of Northern Europe have created a rocky terrain
• Southern Europe has land that extends into the Mediterranean Sea

England's Transportation

• Motorways and railways connect London to the rest of the country
• Approximately 50 million people use Heathrow Airport (24 km west of London) annually
• London, the West Midlands, and northern England are important industrial areas
• London is a global center for banking and insurance

England's Cities and Climate

• Most of England's population lives in cities
• The Greater London area is the largest city area
• Other major cities include Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and Manchester
• England has a temperate maritime climate, meaning it is mild
• Temperatures stay between 0°C in winter and 32°C in summer
• England is generally warmer and sunnier than the other parts of the United Kingdom
• The south coast has the least cloud cover, while mountainous areas in the north and west have more cloud cover
• The Lake District is the wettest area, eastern England is the driest, and the south coast has the most sunshine

England's Key Features

• England is the largest of the four parts of the United Kingdom
• London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom
• England is located on the island of Great Britain, west of continental Europe
• The English Channel separates England from France, Scotland is north, and Wales is west of England
• Most of England is made up of hills, but has plains in the central and southeastern regions
• The Cumbrian Mountains in the northwest contain Scafell Pike, the highest point at 3,210 feet (978 meters)
• The Pennines are lower mountains in the north and center of England
• The coastline has cliffs and bays

Rivers and Lakes

• The Thames is the longest river in England, flowing through southeastern England
• Other large rivers include the Severn and the Trent
• England has few lakes, with the largest being Windermere in the Lake District