Understanding the European Union

• The European Union (EU) works to improve people's lives.

Trade

• All EU countries cooperate over trade.
• Producers don't pay taxes when moving goods between EU countries.

Joint Projects

• EU countries collaborate on big, expensive projects.
• This includes building airplanes and doing scientific research.

Farming

• The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) aims for reasonable food prices.
• It also ensures farmers are properly paid for their products.

Working Conditions

• EU citizens can work in any EU country without special permission.
• EU laws cover work hours, safety, and pay levels.

Fishing

• Fish stocks around Europe are decreasing due to overfishing.
• The EU has laws about where fishing boats can go and the types of nets they can use.

Environment

• Many EU countries face similar pollution challenges.
• EU laws aim to protect the environment and reduce pollution.

Data about the EU

• The EU has over 500 million people.
• 80,000 ships visit EU ports annually.
• The EU is the world's largest aid donor.

Europe Facts

• Mount Elbrus in Russia is the highest mountain in Europe (5,642 m / 18,510 ft).
• Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the European Alps (4,810 m / 15,781 ft).
• The Alps are the longest and highest mountain range located entirely in Europe.
• Europe is the only continent without deserts.
• Europe's coastline approximates 66,000 km.
• Finland is 5% forested, and contains the most trees in Europe.

The formation of the EU

• After World War II, Europe was devastated, leading countries to cooperate for peace.
• In 1957, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands agreed to develop farming, industry, and increase worker's wages.
• This agreement marked the beginning of the European Union (EU).

European Climates and Weather

• Western Europe's climate is mosty moderate and moist.
• Eastern Europe experiences cold winters and hot summers.
• The Mediterranean area has hot, dry summers and mild winters.

Largest European Country and Capital

• The European part of Russia covers more area than any other country in Europe.
• The three largest countries in full are Russia, the Ukraine and France.
• Moscow is the largest capital city and is home to more than 13 million residents.
• St. Petersburg is Russia's second largest city with 5.3 million inhabitants.
• Moscow is the largest city entirely on the European continent.

Volga River

• The Volga River flows through Russia; it is the longest river in Europe at 2,294 miles long.
• The Volga is very wide.
• The site of a major World War II battle.
• Sturgeon fish live in the Volga.

General Europe facts

• Europe is the second smallest continent in size.
• There are about 44 countries in Europe.
• About 743 million people live in Europe, making it the third-largest continent by population.

Landscape

• Europe is approximately 4000 kilometers from north to south.
• The continent contains vast forests and high mountain ranges.
• Europe has very little desert.
• More than half of Europe consists of flat, low plains.
• Glaciers have created rocky landscapes in parts of Northern Europe.

England Description

• 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.
• The English Channel separates England from France.
• Scotland lies to England's north, and Wales to its west.

England Landscape

• Most of England is covered with hills and plains.
• The Cumbrian Mountains are in the northwest, and the Pennines are lower mountains in in the north and central regions.
• England's shores are lined with cliffs and bays.
• The Thames is the longest river in England
• Other large rivers that flow through England are the Severn and the Trent.
• The largest lake in England is Lake Windermere.

Settlement of England

• Motorways and railways spread out from London to all parts of the country.
• About 50 million people use Heathrow airport (24 km west of London) every year.
• The majority of England's population lives in cities with the Greater London area by far the largest city area.
• Other major English cities include include Birmingham, in the center of the country, and Leeds, in the northeast.
• Liverpool and Manchester are the main industrial cities of the northwest

Work

• London, the West Midlands and northern England are important industrial areas.
• London is a worldwide centre for banking and insurance.

Climate and Weather of England

• The climate in England is temperate maritime, which means the climate is mild.
• Temperatures will not go far below 0°C in winter and not much above 32°C in summer.
• England is warmer and sunnier than the other countries that make up the United Kingdom.
• The south coast of England has the least cloud cover, while mountainous areas experience more cloud cover.
• The Lake District is the wettest area, and eastern England is the driest.
• The south coast has more sunshine than any other area in England.

Travel in England

• Motorways and Railways transport across England.
• Heathrow airport is commonly used.