The European Union

After World War 2, some European countries decided to work closely together. They wanted to make sure there would be no more wars between them. This partnership grew over time into the European Union. Today, 27 countries are members of the EU.

How the EU Began

In 1951, six countries formed a group to share their coal and steel industries. This was the start of what would become the European Union. Over the years, more countries joined. The EU was officially created in 1993 with the Maastricht Treaty.

What the EU Does

EU countries trade freely with each other without extra taxes on goods. Many EU countries use the same money, called the euro. Citizens of EU countries can travel and work in other member countries easily. The EU also makes laws to protect the environment and workers.

Fun Facts

• The euro is used by 20 EU countries and over 340 million people.
• The EU flag has 12 gold stars in a circle, which stand for unity and harmony.
• The European Union won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.

Did You Know?

The European Union started with just six countries: France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.