The European Union THE EUROPEAN UNION The Pros

The European Union THE EUROPEAN UNION The Pros and Cons of being a member country 1

The European Union Where in the world is the EU? 2

The European Union 27 Member States 500 million 7 Combined population of EU Member States Percent of world’s population 3

The European Union 500 million people 27 countries *Countries shaded gray are candidates for EU membership 4

The European Union EU Population in the World 1339 500 307 128 Population in millions, 2009 EU China Japan 142 Russia United States

The European Union Area of the EU compared to the rest of the world 16 889 9327 9159 4234 365 Surface area, 1 000 km² EU China Japan Russia United States

Surface area in 1 000 km² 3 131 63 62 49 43 43 34 30 20 9 Lithuania Latvia Slovakia Estonia Denmark Netherlands Belgium Slovenia Cyprus Malta 0. 3 68 Ireland Luxemburg 77 83 Austria Czech Republic 92 93 Portugal Hungary Bulgaria 111 230 Romania Greece 244 United Kingdom Italy Finland Poland Germany Sweden Spain France 295 305 313 357 410 506 544 The European Union Size of the EU countries

21. 5 10. 6 10. 5 10. 0 9. 3 Portugal Czech Republic Hungary Sweden 4. 5 3. 3 2. 0 1. 3 Ireland Lithuania Latvia Slovenia Estonia Population in millions, 500 million total in 2009 Malta Luxemburg 5. 3 Finland 0. 4 0. 5 0. 8 5. 4 5. 5 7. 6 Slovakia Denmark Bulgaria 8. 4 10. 8 Belgium Austria 11. 3 Greece Netherlands 16. 5 38. 1 Poland Romania 45. 8 Spain Italy United Kingdom France Germany 60. 1 61. 6 64. 4 82. 1 The European Union Population of the EU countries

The European Union The Birth of the Euro • The Euro is the shared currency of all EU member countries. 9

The European Union Positives of using the Euro • Because the common market got rid of tariffs 1. EU members now can buy goods and services at cheaper prices 2. There is more variety in the goods and services that are available 3. It’s now easier to travel to other European countries to find work. 10

The European Union Positives of using the Euro 4. Because money no longer has to be exchanged, it is also now easier to travel and move in Europe. 5. It has created a strong trade bloc that allows Europe to compete economically with countries like the U. S. Countries are now economically united instead of competing individually and against each other. 6. It allows EU member countries to use the Euro on shared economic goals such as modernizing operations and upgrading highways. 11

The European Union Negatives of using the Euro • 1. Western countries resent eastern countries. The west feels that more of the shared money is spent in the east trying to bring them up. • 2. Westerners worry about losing jobs to people in the east. Eastern workers will work for less money. • 3. Some European Union countries refuse to use the Euro. • 4. Not all European countries can be a member of the EU. 12

The European Union Pro of EU membership • Culturally –The EU helps to promote a united European identity. • EU Day in May • EU flag-12 stars that represent the original 12 countries • EU anthem 13

The European Union Con of EU membership • Culturally – Communication is difficult-each EU document and conversation has to be translated into 20 different languages. – Conflicting cultural values and traditions • Ex: In Spain bull fighting is the national sport, however, other EU countries find this to be cruelty to animals. 14

The European Union Pro of EU membership • Politically – Countries are working together on shared issues i. e. terrorism, pollution, Syrian refugee crisis – Residents from member countries can live and work anywhere in the EU easily – They can participate in all EU elections – Strengthens Europe’s voice in world affairs. Gives them more power and a larger say in what happens. 15

The European Union Cons of EU membership • Politically –Some countries want to make their own decisions. –The more countries that become members, the more problems the EU will have to face. 16