CHARLIE P
BSIT-1B
The 28 European countries that are part
of the EU
Austria
Austria is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1995
with its geographic size of 83,879 km², and
population number 8,576,234, as per 2015.
Austrians comprise 1.7% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Vienna and the
official language in Austria is German.
Austria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
€337.162 billion, as per 2015. The political
system is a Federal Parliamentary Republic
and its currency is the Euro (€), since
Austria became a member of the Eurozone
on January 1, 1999.
Austria holds 18 seats in the European
Parliament, while it held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU twice,
once in 1998 and in 2006. Austria is also
a member of the Schengen Area since
December 1, 2007
Belgium
Belgium is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1958
with its geographic size of 30,528 km², and
population number 11,258,434, as per
2015. Belgians comprise 2.2% of the total
EU population. Its capital is Brussels and
the official languages in Belgium are Dutch,
French, and German. The Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) is €409,407 billion, as per
2015. Its currency is € (Euro), from Belgium
became a member of the Eurozone on
January 1, 1999. The political system in
Belgium is a federal parliamentary
constitutional monarchy.
Belgium holds 21 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 12
times between 1958 and 2010. Belgium is
also a member state of the Schengen Area
since March 26, 1995.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 2007
with its geographic size of 110,370 km², and
population number 7,202,198, as per 2015.
Bulgarians comprise 1.4% of the total EU
population. Its capital city is Sofia, and the
official language in Bulgaria is Bulgarian.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
€44,162 billion, as per 2015. Its currency is
the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). The political
system in Bulgaria is a parliamentary
republic.
Bulgaria holds 17 seats in the European
Parliament and will hold the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU for the
first time in 2018. Bulgaria is not a member
country of the Schengen Area.
Croatia
Croatia is a member
country of the EU since July 1, 2013 with its
geographic size of 56,594 km², and
population number 4,225,316, as per 2015.
Croatians comprise 0.8% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Zagreb and the
official language in Croatia is Croatian. The
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €43,897
billion, as per 2015. Croatia’s currency is
Croatian Kuna HRK. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Croatia holds 11 seats in the European
Parliament and will hold the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU for the
first time in the first half of 2020. Croatia is
not a member country of the Schengen
Area.
Cyprus
Cyprus is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 9,251 km², and
population number 847,008, as per 2015.
Cypriots comprise 0.2% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Nicosia and the
official language in Cyprus is Greek. The
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €17,421
billion, as per 2015. Cyprus’ currency is
Euro (€) since it became a member of the
Eurozone on January 1, 2008. The political
system is a presidential republic.
The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is
a member country of the EU since May 1,
2004 with its geographic size of 78,868
km², and population number 10,538,275,
as per 2015. Czechs comprise 2.1% of
the total EU population. Its capital is
Prague and the official language is Czech.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
€163,947 billion, as per 2015. The Czech
Republic’s currency is the Czech Koruna
(CZK). The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
The Czech Republic holds 21 seats in the
European Parliament and held the
revolving presidency of the Council of the
EU once in 2009. The Czech Republic is
a member country of the Schengen Area
since December 21, 2007.
Denmark
Denmark is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1973
with its geographic size of 42,924 km², and
population number 5,659,715, as per 2015.
The Danish comprise 1.1% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Copenhagen and
the official language in Denmark is Danish.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
€266.244 billion, as per 2015. Its currency is
the Danish Krone (DKK). The political
system is a parliamentary constitutional
monarchy.
Denmark holds 13 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times
between 1973 and 2012. Denmark is a
member country of the Schengen Area
since March 25, 2001.
Estonia
Estonia is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 45,227 km², and
population number 1,313,271, as per 2015.
The Estonians comprise 0.3% of the total
EU population. Its capital is Tallinn and the
official language is Estonian. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €20.461 billion,
as per 2015. Estonia’s currency is Euro (€)
since it became a member of the Eurozone
on January 1, 2011. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Estonia holds 6 seats in the European
Parliament and will hold the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU for the
first time in the first half of 2017. Estonia is a
member country of the Schengen Area
since December 21, 2007.
Finland
Finland is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1995
with its geographic size of 338,440 km², and
population number 5,471,753, as per 2015.
The Finnish comprise 1.1% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Helsinki and the
official languages in Finland are Finnish and
Swedish. The Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) is €207.220 billion, as per 2015.
Finland’s currency is Euro (€) since it
became a member of the Eurozone on
January 1, 1999. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Finland holds 13 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU twice, in
1999 and 2006. Finland is a member
country of the Schengen Area since March
25, 2001.
France
France is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1958
with its geographic size of 633,187 km², and
population number 66,415,161, as per
2015. The French comprise 13.1% of the
total EU population. Its capital is Paris and
the official language is French. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €2.184trillion, as
per 2015. France’s currency is Euro (€)
since it became a member of the Eurozone
on January 1, 1999. The political system is
a semi-presidential republic.
France holds 74 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 13
times between 1959 and 2008. France is a
member country of the Schengen Area
since March 26, 1995.
Germany
Germany is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1958
with its geographic size of 357,376 km², and
population number 81,197,537, as per
2015. The Germans comprise 16% of the
total EU population. Its capital is Berlin and
the official language is German. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €3.026 trillion,
as per 2015. Germany’s currency is Euro
(€) since it became a member of the
Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political
system is a federal parliamentary republic.
Germany holds 96 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 11
times between 1958 and 2007. Germany is
a member country of the Schengen Area
since March 26, 1995.
Greece
Greece is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1981
with its geographic size of 131,957 km², and
population number 10,858,018, as per
2015. Greeks comprise 2.1% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Athens and the
official language is Greek. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €176.023 billion,
as per 2015. Greece’s currency is Euro (€)
since it became a member of the eurozone
on January 1, 2001. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Greece holds 21 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 5 times
between 1983 and 2014. Greece is a
member country of the Schengen Area
since January 1, 2000.
Hungary
Hungary is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 93,011 km², and
population number 9,855,571, as per 2015.
Hungarians comprise 1.9% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Budapest and the
official language is Hungarian. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €108.748 billion,
as per 2015. Hungary’s currency is
Hungarian Forint (HUG). The political
system is a parliamentary republic.
Hungary holds 21 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU once in
2011. Hungary is a member country of the
Schengen Area since December21, 2007.
Ireland
Ireland is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1973
with its geographic size of 69,797 km², and
population number 4,628,949, as per 2015.
The Irish comprise 0.9% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Dublin and the
official languages in Ireland are Irish and
English. The Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) is €214.623 billion, as per 2015.
Ireland’s currency is Euro (€) since it
became a member of the Eurozone on
January 1, 1999. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Ireland holds 11 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 7 times
between 1975 and 2013. Ireland is not a
member country of the Schengen Area.
Italy
Italy is a member country
of the EU since January 1, 1958 with its
geographic size of 302,073 km², and
population number 60,795,612, as per
2015. The Italians comprise 12% of the total
EU population. Its capital is Rome and the
official language in Italy is Italian. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €1.636 trillion,
as per 2015. Italy’s currency is Euro (€)
since it became a member of the Eurozone
on January 1, 1999. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Italy holds 73 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 12
times between 1959 and 2014. Italy is a
member country of the Schengen Area
since October 26, 1997.
Latvia
Latvia is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 64,573 km², and
population number 1,986,096, as per 2015.
Latvians comprise 0.4% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Riga and the official
language is Latvian. The Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) is €24.378 billion, as per
2015. Latvia’s currency is Euro (€) since it
became a member of the Eurozone on
January 1, 2014. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Latvia holds 8 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU for the
first time in 2015. Latvia is a member
country of the Schengen Area since
December 21, 2007.
Lithuania
Lithuania is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 65,286 km², and
population number 2,921,262, as per 2015.
Lithuanians comprise 0.6% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Vilnius and the
official language is Lithuanian. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €37.124 billion,
as per 2015. Lithuania’s currency is Euro (€)
since it became a member of the Eurozone
on January 1, 2014. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Lithuania holds 11 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU once in
2013. Lithuania is a member country of the
Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1958
with its geographic size of 2,586 km², and
population number 562,958, as per 2015.
Luxembourgers comprise 0.1% of the total
EU population. Its capital is Luxembourg
and the official languages in Luxembourg
are French and German. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €52.112 billion,
as per 2015. Luxembourg’s currency is Euro
(€) since it became a member of the
Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political
system is a parliamentary constitutional
monarchy.
Luxembourg holds 6 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 12
times between 1960 and 2015. Luxembourg
is a member country of the Schengen Area
since March 26, 1995.
Malta
Malta is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 315 km², and population
number 429,334, as per 2015. The Maltese
comprise 0.1% of the total EU population.
Its capital is Valletta and the official
language is Maltese. The Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) is €8.796 billion, as per
2015. Malta’s currency is Euro (€) since it
became a member of the Eurozone on
January 1, 2008. The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Malta holds 6 seats in the European
Parliament and will hold the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU for the
first time in 2017. Malta is a member
country of the Schengen Area since
December 21, 2007.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is a
member country of the EU since January 1,
1958 with its geographic size of 41,542 km²,
and population number 16,900,726, as per
2015. The Dutch comprise 3.3% of the total
EU population. Its capital is Amsterdam and
the official language is Dutch. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €678,572 billion,
as per 2015. Netherlands’ currency is Euro
(€) since it became a member of the
Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political
system is a parliamentary constitutional
monarchy.
The Netherlands holds 26 seats in the
European Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 12
times between 1960 and 2016. The
Netherlands is a member country of the
Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.
Poland
Poland is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 612,679 km², and
population number 38,005,614, as per
2015. The Polish comprise 7.5% of the total
EU population. Its capital is Warsaw and the
official language is Polish. The Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) is €427.737 billion,
as per 2015. Poland’s currency is the Polish
Zloty (PLN). The political system is
a parliamentary republic.
Poland holds 51 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU once in
2011. Poland is a member country of the
Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.
Portugal
Portugal is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1986
with its geographic size of 92,226 km², and
population number 10,374,822, as per
2015. The Portuguese comprise 2% of the
total EU population. Its capital is Lisbon and
the official language is Portuguese. The
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €179.379
billion, as per 2015. Portugal’s currency is
Euro (€) since it became a member of the
Eurozone on January 1, 1999. The political
system is a semi-presidential republic.
Portugal holds 21 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 3 times
between 1992 and 2007. Portugal is a
member country of the Schengen Area
since March 26, 1995.
Romania
Romania is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 2007
with its geographic size of 238,391 km², and
population number 19,870,647, as per
2015.The Romanians comprise 3.9% of the
total EU population. Its capital is Bucharest
and the official language is Romanian. The
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €160.353
billion, as per 2015. Romania’s currency is
Romanian Leu (RON). The political system
is a semi-presidential republic.
Romania holds 32 seats in the European
Parliament and will hold the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU for the
first time in 2019. Romania is not a member
country of the Schengen Area.
Slovakia
Slovakia is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 49,035 km², and population
number 5,421,349, as per 2015. Slovaks
comprise 2.2% of the total EU population. Its
capital is Bratislava and the official language is
Slovak. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
€78.071 billion, as per 2015. Slovakia’s currency
is € (Euro) since it became a member of the
Eurozone on January 1, 2009. The political
system in Slovakia is a parliamentary republic.
Slovakia holds 13 seats in the European
Parliament and is currently holding the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU for the first
time. Slovakia is also a member state of the
Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.

Slovenia
Slovenia is a member
country of the EU since May 1, 2004 with its
geographic size of 20,273 km², and
population number 2,062,874, as per 2015.
The Slovenians comprise 0.4% of the total
EU population. Its capital is Ljubljana and
the official language is Slovenian. The
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €38.543
billion, as per 2015. Slovenia’s currency is
Euro (€) since it became a member of the
Eurozone on January 1, 2007. The political
system is a parliamentary republic.
Slovenia holds 8 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU once in
2008. Slovenia is a member country of the
Schengen Area since December 21, 2007.
Spain
Spain is a member country
of the EU since January 1, 1986. Its
geographical size is 505,944 km², while the
population number in 2015 was 46,449,565. The
Spanish comprise 9.1% of the total EU
population. Its capital is Madrid. Gross Domestic
Product (GDP) is €1.081trillion. The official
language in Spain is Spanish. The political
system is a parliamentary constitutional
monarchy. Spain holds 54 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving presidency of
the Council of the EU 4 times between 1989 and
2010. Spain’s currency is Euro (€) and became
a member of the Eurozone since January 1,
1999. Spain is a member country of the
Schengen Area since March 26, 1995.
Sweden
Sweden is a member
country of the EU since January 1, 1995 with its
geographic size of 438,574 km², and population
number 9,747,355, as per 2015. The Swedes
comprise 1.9% of the total EU population. Its
capital is Stockholm and the official language is
Swedish. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is
€444.235 billion, as per 2015. Sweden’s
currency is the Swedish Krona (SEK). The
political system is a parliamentary constitutional
monarchy.
Sweden holds 20 seats in the European
Parliament and held the revolving presidency of
the Council of the EU twice, in 2001 and 2009.
Sweden is a member country of the Schengen
Area since March 25, 2001.

The United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a member country of the EU since January 1, 1973

with its geographic size of 248,528 km², and population number 64,875,165, as per 2015. The
English comprise 12.8% of the total EU population. Its capital is London and the official
language is English. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is €2.569 trillion, as per 2015. The
United Kingdom’s currency is the Pound Sterling (GBP). The political system is a parliamentary
constitutional monarchy.
The United Kingdom holds 73 seats in the European Parliament and held the revolving
presidency of the Council of the EU 5 times between 1997 and 2005. The United Kingdom is not
a member country of the Schengen Area.