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THE EUROPEAN UNION Facts and figures
THE EUROPEAN UNION Facts and figures
Contents
Values of the European Union
4
Years of accession
6
How the EU works
8
The European Union
22
Member States *
24-77
* Listed in the alphabetical order of the names of the
Member States, as written in their respective languages.BE LG IUM BULGAR IA CZECHIA D E N M AR K
24 26 28 30
G E R M AN ESTONIA G R E ECE
Y IR E L AND
32 34 36 38
SPAIN NCE CROATIA ITALY
FR A
40 42 44 46
C Y PR US LITHUAN RG
LATVIA IA LU X E M B O U
48 50 52 54
HUN TH E
G AR MALTA N E TH E R AUSTR IA
Y L AN DS
56 58 60 62
P O L AN D SLOVE NIA
P O R TUG AL ROMANIA
64 66 68 70
SWE
SLOVAK IA FINL AND DEN LET’S GO
72 74 76
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 3Values of the
European Union
The European Union’s values are based on certain fundamental principles laid
out in the Lisbon Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights
of the European Union.
EQUALITY
FREEDOM Equality is about equal rights for
all citizens before the law. The
HUMAN DIGNITY Freedom of movement gives principle of equality between
citizens the right to move and women and men underpins all
Human dignity is inviolable. reside freely within the EU. EU policies and is the basis for
It must be respected and Individual freedoms such as European integration.
protected. It is not only a respect for private life, freedom
fundamental right in itself but of thought, religion, assembly,
also constitutes the real basis of expression and information are
fundamental rights. protected.
4 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020HUMAN RIGHTS
RULE OF LAW Human rights are protected
by the Charter of Fundamental
DEMOCRACY The EU is based on the rule of Rights of the European Union.
law. Everything the EU does is These cover the right to be
The functioning of the EU is founded on treaties, which are free from any discrimination,
founded on representative voluntarily and democratically the right to the protection of
democracy, including the right agreed by the EU Member personal data and the right to
to stand as a candidate and States. access to justice.
vote in elections.
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 5YEARS OF ACCESSION
Founding
1957 Member States
1973
1981
1986 UNITED KINGDOM
FINLAND
SWEDEN
IRELAND
1995 DENMARK
ESTONIA
LATVIA
2004 GERMANY
LITHUANIA
2007 NETHERLANDS
POLAND
CZECHIA
BELGIUM
2013 LUXEMBOURG
SLOVAKIA
HUNGARY
FRANCE
ROMANIA
BULGARIA
GREECE
CYPRUS
SPAIN AUSTRIA SLOVENIA
PORTUGAL ITALY CROATIA MALTABREXIT 2020 In the 2016 referendum the people of the United Kingdom voted in favour of leaving the European Union. The UK has left the EU on 31 January 2020. UNITED KINGDOM
How the EU works The European Union has its origins in the 1950s, when six countries, devastated by World War II, committed to working together to build their joint future in a radically new way. The treaties, which are the binding agreements between the Member States, set down the goals, the scope and the method of the cooperation. The method meant creating new European bodies (or ‘institutions’). Each body has a special task and membership. To solve problems, these bodies must all work closely together using their different powers. Discussing issues around a table to find the best possible compromise for all has helped keep peace in Europe for more than 70 years.
WHY DOES THE EU NEED
DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS?
Because different institutions represent
different views.
In order to have citizens’ views, there is the In order to have the views of the national
European Parliament, which is directly elected by governments, there are two bodies: the European
citizens of all EU Member States every 5 years. Council and the Council of the European Union.
In order to have ‘European’ viewpoints, rather The discussions within and between these four
than national ones, there is the European main bodies determine the shape of European
Commission. projects.
NATIONAL G
’ VIEWS OVERNMEN
CITIZENS TS’ VIEWS
S
EUROPEAN VIEW
EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT EUROPEAN COUNCIL
AND
COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION
EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 9WHY DOES THE EU NEED
TWO COUNCILS?
Firstly, the EU needs to identify and agree Secondly, to achieve these European solutions,
on the big questions that need European the EU must agree on laws and policies.
solutions rather than national ones.
This is the job of the presidents and prime This is the job of the Council of the European
ministers, who meet in ‘summits’ and together are Union, where national governments discuss and
called the European Council. negotiate these laws and policies.
HOUSE OF THE
EUROPEAN COUNCIL MEMBER STATES COUNCIL OF THE
EUROPEAN UNION
HEADS OF STATE MINISTERS OF
OR GOVERNMENT NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS
set the EU’s negotiate and vote
political agenda on legislation
10 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020HOW DOES THE EU WORK? and agreed on by the ministers who represent the
elected national governments — the Council —
By working together. and the members of the Parliament. A definitively
agreed law is a balanced solution between the
Almost all EU laws are the result of a negotiation three institutions and their different viewpoints.
between the three institutions: the European Each approved EU law or policy is a step towards
Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the big goals agreed by the leaders in the
the European Commission. European Council.
The starting point for any legislative activity is a
Commission proposal. The proposal is negotiated
COMMISSION
proposes laws and the EU budget
EU
DECISION-MAKING
institutional triangle
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN
EUROPEAN UNION PARLIAMENT
negotiate and adopt the laws
and the budget
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 11Who are the key EU players?
THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL The president’s role is to decide on the big
questions to be tackled at each meeting and bring
everyone to an agreement. Almost every agreement
in the European Council must be unanimous.
The agreements reached during the meetings
The European Council defines the EU’s direction are stated in European Council conclusions.
and priorities — it is the European Union’s Right after the meetings the conclusions are
strategic body. directly accessible on the internet in all official EU
languages.
Every 2-3 months the European Council President
invites the leaders (prime ministers or presidents) The headquarters of the European Council are in
of the EU Member States plus the President of the Brussels.
European Commission to meetings called ‘summits’. consilium.europa.eu
EUROPEAN COUNCIL
defines the EU’s direction and priorities
HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT
AGREEMENTS
CONCLUSIONS
accessible on the internet
in all official EU languages
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 13THE COUNCIL OF THE THE COUNCIL’S MAIN TASKS
EUROPEAN UNION 1. Lawmaking. Together with the European
Parliament and the Commission it is one of the
three players in the EU’s lawmaking process.
2. Adoption of the budget. Together with the
European Parliament.
3. External relations. The Council defines and
The Council of the European Union (or the implements the EU’s foreign and security policy.
Council) is a place where ministers from the For instance, the Council concludes international
elected national governments of the Member agreements with non-EU countries or international
States work together. Council meetings are also organisations.
attended by the Commission.
Council meetings are organised according to
subject, so that the right ministers can come
together. This means there are Council meetings
on finance, the environment, energy, justice and
so on, bringing together ministers with these
responsibilities.
National ministers with
the same responsibilities ECONOMIC AND
come together FINANCIAL
AFFAIRS
GENERAL AGRICULTURE
AFFAIRS AND FISHERIES
14 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020The Council debates in public when examining The Council is chaired by the government of a
and voting on proposed laws. You can follow Member State. This is called the Presidency of the
these debates live on the Council website. Council. It changes every 6 months. Every Member
State takes its turn.
In most of its lawmaking work the Council decides
by majority voting. There are only a few cases On the following pages about the Member States
where decisions must be unanimous. The voting you can see when your country last chaired or will
system is based on a majority of Member States next chair the Council.
and a majority of the EU’s population. In theory
the Council can adopt laws once it is clear that the The headquarters of the Council are in Brussels, and
required majorities have been reached. In reality you are welcome to visit our Visitors’ Centre!
the Council often continues to discuss and improve consilium.europa.eu
the draft laws until the biggest possible majority (or
even unanimity) is reached.
TRANSPORT,
COMPETITIVENESS EMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS
FOREIGN
POLICY, HEALTH AND AND ENERGY
AFFAIRS
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
JUSTICE EDUCATION, YOUTH, ENVIRONMENT
AND HOME CULTURE AND SPORTS
AFFAIRS
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 15THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT long-term budget) and approves the EU’s annual
budget.
3. Control. It monitors the proper use of EU funds
and supervises other EU institutions, in particular
the Commission. The Parliament elects the
President of the Commission and has the right to
The European Parliament represents the approve and dismiss the Commission.
interests of EU citizens. It is composed of 705
members (so-called MEPs) who are directly All the sittings of the Parliament, and all
elected by EU citizens every 5 years. committee meetings, are held in public, and can
be followed live.
THE PARLIAMENT’S MAIN TASKS
1. Laws. It adopts legislation jointly with The Parliament’s headquarters are in Strasbourg,
the Council. but it also works in Brussels and Luxembourg.
2. Budget. Together with the Council it adopts europarl.europa.eu
a multiannual financial framework (the EU’s
20 COMMITTEES
PLENARY
PROPOSALS FOR LAWS MEPs discuss a specific
SITTINGS
topic in small groups
Meetings of
the whole
Parliament in which
MEPs vote on laws
16 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION also proposes the EU budget. The European
Parliament and the Council discuss and decide
together on laws and the budget.
The Commission is made up of 27 commissioners,
one from each Member State. The commissioners
The European Commission manages the work in the general interest of the European
day-to-day running of the EU. You might have Union and not the specific interests of their own
already heard that the Commission has the right countries.
of initiative. What does this mean? It means that
the Commission is responsible for proposing The headquarters of the Commission are in
EU legislation. No EU institution except the Brussels.
Commission can table laws. The Commission ec.europa.eu
PROPOSES MANAGES EU POLICIES AND
NEW LAWS ALLOCATES EU FUNDING
GUARDIAN OF REPRESENTS
THE EU TREATIES THE EU ON THE
INTERNATIONAL STAGE
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 17Other EU bodies There are also other important institutions and bodies that make sure the EU works, for example bodies to check that EU laws are being followed and that the EU budget is being used correctly. There are also bodies to make sure different voices are heard at the European level, and that the EU’s voice is heard internationally.
THE CONTROLLERS
THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EUROPEAN THE EUROPEAN DATA PROTECTION
UNION, which has judges from all Member SUPERVISOR checks that the EU institutions and
States, interprets EU law and ensures that laws bodies respect the right to privacy when they
are followed in the same way everywhere in the process personal data and develop new policies
European Union. The Court of Justice also handles and legislation. The headquarters of the Supervisor
cases brought by states, companies or individuals are in Brussels.
if they are directly affected by acts adopted by the edps.europa.eu
EU institutions. The headquarters of the Court of
Justice are in Luxembourg.
curia.europa.eu THE EUROPEAN ANTI-FRAUD OFFICE (OLAF)
investigates fraud in connection with the European
Union budget, corruption and serious misconduct
THE EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS checks within the EU institutions. The office’s headquarters
that the budget of the European Union has been are in Brussels.
used correctly, and that EU funds have been ec.europa.eu/anti_fraud
raised and spent legally and in accordance with
sound financial management. The Court consists
of one member from each Member State, and its
headquarters are in Luxembourg.
eca.europa.eu
THE EUROPEAN OMBUDSMAN investigates
complaints about maladministration in the
institutions and bodies of the European Union. If
you are a citizen of an EU Member State or reside in
a Member State you can make a complaint to the
Ombudsman. Businesses and associations may also
complain to the Ombudsman. The headquarters of
the Ombudsman are in Strasbourg.
ombudsman.europa.eu
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 19THE BANKS THE EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK is the central THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK is the bank of the 19 Member States that have adopted lending arm of the European Union. It specialises in the euro. Its main task is to maintain price stability promoting growth and jobs, innovation and skills, in the euro area and so to safeguard the value of small and medium-sized businesses, climate action the euro. The Bank’s headquarters are in Frankfurt and strategic infrastructure across the EU. The am Main. Bank’s headquarters are in Luxembourg. ecb.europa.eu eib.org CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE REGIONS THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS COMMITTEE enables civil-society organisations is the voice of the regions and cities in the EU. It from the Member States to express their views allows them to express their views at the European at the European level. The Committee has 326 level. The Committee’s 329 members are regionally members from economic and social interest and locally elected representatives from all Member groups in the Member States. The Committee’s States. The headquarters of the Committee are in headquarters are in Brussels. Brussels. eesc.europa.eu cor.europa.eu THE EU IN THE WORLD THE EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE of multilateral organisations. The headquarters (EEAS) is the European Union’s diplomatic of the EEAS are in Brussels, but it also works service. Its role is to make sure that the EU’s voice worldwide through its 140 delegations outside the is heard in the world. The EU’s action on the European Union. international scene seeks to promote human rights, eeas.europa.eu development, humanitarian aid, trade and the work 20 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020
The European Union and its Member States
THE
EUROPEAN
UNION
OFFICIAL Bulgarian English Greek Lithuanian Slovak
LANGUAGES Croatian Estonian Hungarian Maltese Slovenian
Czech Finnish Irish Polish Spanish
Danish French Italian Portuguese Swedish
Dutch German Latvian Romanian
POPULATION OPEN DAY ADMINISTRATIVE CITIES
446,8 million In May every year the EU OF THE EU
institutions open their doors Brussels, Luxembourg,
to the public. Strasbourg
EU AREA
4 225 127 km2
ber 112
lephone num
Emergency te
ffix .eu
EU internet su
EUROPE DAY
9
May
European Union portal:
europa.eu
Studying in the EU:
Anniversary of the from national day video
erasmusprogramme.com
Schuman Declaration, Working in the EU:
which launched the DID YOU KNOW? ec.europa.eu/eures
EU project (1950) The EU received the Nobel Working for the EU:
Peace Prize in 2012. epso.europa.eu
22 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The 12 gold stars on a blue
background stand for the ideals
of unity, solidarity and harmony
among the peoples of Europe.
The flag became the official
symbol of the EU in 1985.
BRUSSELS
LUXEMBOURG
STRASBOURGBELGIUM
Kingdom of Belgium
CAPITAL: BRUSSELS
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The colours are those of the ancient
OFFICIAL
Duchy of Brabant’s coat of arms:
LANGUAGES
a yellow lion with red claws and
German (Germanic)
tongue on a black background.
French (Romance)
Dutch (Germanic)
POPULATION Antwerp
11.5 million (2019) Ghent
BRUSSELS
BE AREA
30 666 km2
Liège
NATIONAL DAY Charleroi
21
July €
Leopold I became
CURRENCY
the first King
Euro (EUR, since 2002)
of the Belgians (1831) King Philippe appears on the
national side of the euro coin.
24 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Federal Parliament of Belgium consists of OF THE COUNCIL
two chambers: the Chamber of Representatives
(Abgeordnetenkammer/Chambre des January-June 2024
représentants/Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers, Voting age
150 members) and the Senate (Senat/Sénat/
Senaat, 60 senators). Parliamentary elections 18
are held every 5 years. The King is the head of compulsory
state, but has no political powers. The Prime
Minister is appointed by the King, but needs
a vote of confidence from the parliament. In
Belgium the federal entities (the regions and the
communities) have a high level of autonomy.
+32
dialling code
International
e
rnet suffix .b
Country’s inte
Belgian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Belgium
ERASMUS
9 284
STUDENTS
(2017)
10 712
+ INFO
Country information:
DID YOU KNOW? UNTRANSLATABLE WORD belgium.be
The saxophone was en stoemelings Permanent Representation
invented by the Belgian Doing something under the to the European Union:
inventor Adolphe Sax. table in secret, sneakily. europeanunion.diplomatie.belgium.be
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 25BULGARIA
Republic of Bulgaria
CAPITAL: SOFIA
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
White is for peace, love and
freedom, green represents
OFFICIAL agricultural wealth and red is for
LANGUAGE the independence struggle and
Bulgarian (Slavic) military courage.
Ruse
POPULATION
7 million (2019) Varna
BG AREA
110 996 km2
SOFIA Burgas
NATIONAL DAY Plovdiv
3
March
Independence from CURRENCY
the Ottoman Empire Lev (BGN)
(1878) St Ivan of Rila, the first Bulgarian
hermit, appears on the lev coin.
26 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Bulgarian parliament, called the National OF THE COUNCIL
Assembly (Narodno sabranie), has 240
members elected for 4 years. The head of January-June 2018
state is the President of the Republic, directly Voting age next one not
elected by the people for a term of 5 years. yet decided
The main executive power lies with the 18
government, led by the Prime Minister. compulsory
+359
ternational dialling code
In
g
rnet suffix .b
Country’s inte
Bulgarian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Bulgaria
ERASMUS
2 465
STUDENTS
(2017)
1 545
+ INFO
Country information:
DID YOU KNOW? UNTRANSLATABLE WORD bulgariatravel.org
Bulgaria is the biggest айляк [aylyak] Permanent Representation
producer of rose oil To be relaxed, unfazed by to the European Union:
in the world. stress and free to enjoy life. mfa.bg/en/embassies/belgiumpp
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 27CZECHIA
Czech Republic
CAPITAL: PRAGUE
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
Red and white represent Bohemia,
OFFICIAL and the blue triangle represents
LANGUAGE Moravia.
Czech (Slavic)
Liberec
POPULATION
10.6 million (2019)
PRAGUE
CZ AREA
78 871 km2 Ostrava
Plzeň
Brno
NATIONAL DAY
28
October
Founding of the
independent CURRENCY
Czechoslovak state Koruna (CZK)
(1918) The Czech lion appears
on the koruna coin.
28 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The parliament is composed of the Chamber OF THE COUNCIL
of Deputies (Poslanecká sněmovna), which
has 200 members elected for 4 years, and July-December 2022
the Senate (Senát), which has 81 senators Voting age
elected for a period of 6 years. The President
of the Republic is the head of state and is 18
elected directly for a term of 5 years. He or not compulsory
she appoints the Prime Minister and the
other ministers of the government.
+420
ternational dialling code
In
rnet suffix .cz
Country’s inte
Czech students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Czechia
ERASMUS
7 891
STUDENTS
(2017)
10 534
DID YOU KNOW? UNTRANSLATABLE WORD + INFO
The word robot (based on chatař
robota, meaning labour) was A person living the city Country information:
used for the first time by the life during the week and czechtourism.com
Czech writer Karel Čapek in ‘escaping’ to a summer Permanent Representation
his play Rossum’s Universal house or a cottage in the to the European Union:
Robots, published in 1920. countryside at weekends. mzv.cz/representation_brussels
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 29DENMARK THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The off-centred white cross is
Kingdom of Denmark a Nordic Christian symbol. The
Dannebrog is the oldest state
CAPITAL: COPENHAGEN
flag in use in the world and is a
model for other Nordic flags.
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE
Danish (Germanic)
Aalborg
POPULATION
5.8 million (2019)
Aarhus
DK AREA
42 925 km2
COPENHAGEN
NATIONAL DAY Odense
5
June
Signing of the CURRENCY
Danish Constitution Krone (DKK)
(1849) Queen Margrethe II appears
on the krone coin.
30 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
Denmark’s parliament is called the People’s OF THE COUNCIL
Assembly (Folketinget) and is composed
of 179 members elected for 4 years. The July-December 2025
Queen is the head of state but has only a Voting age
representative role. However, she appoints
the Prime Minister, who has to be approved 18
by the parliament. The two autonomous not compulsory
regions, Greenland and the Faroe Islands,
are part of Denmark but not of the European
Union.
+45
dialling code
International
k
rnet suffix .d
Country’s inte
Danish students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Denmark
ERASMUS
4 659
STUDENTS
(2017)
5 731
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD
DID YOU KNOW? hygge + INFO
Some very well-known A feeling of cosiness,
fairy tales, for example The something that makes you feel Country information:
Emperor’s New Clothes, were content and comfortable. The denmark.dk
written by the Danish author fireplace and candles are used Permanent Representation
Hans Christian Andersen. to create hygge. to the European Union: eu.um.dk
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 31GERMANY
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The colours are inspired by
the black uniforms with gold
Federal Republic of Germany and red accessories worn by
the Lützowian Free Corps, an
CAPITAL: BERLIN organisation active in creating
a unified Germany in the 19th
century.
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE
German (Germanic)
Hamburg
POPULATION
83 million (2019)
BERLIN
DE AREA Cologne
357 569 km2
Frankfurt
am Main
NATIONAL DAY
3
October
€ Munich
CURRENCY
German Unity Day Euro (EUR, since 2002)
An eagle, the symbol of German
(1990)
sovereignty, appears on the national
side of the euro coin.
32 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The parliament is made up of the Federal OF THE COUNCIL
Assembly (Bundestag: 709 members elected
for 4 years in general elections) and the Federal July-December 2020
Council (Bundesrat: 69 members appointed Voting age
by the governments of the federal states, or
Länder). The Federal President, elected for 18
5 years, is the head of state, but the role is not compulsory
essentially representative. However, he or she
appoints the Federal Chancellor, who leads the
federal government. Power is shared between
the federal government and the Länder.
+49
dialling code
International
e
rnet suffix .d
Country’s inte
German students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Germany
ERASMUS
40 959
STUDENTS
(2017)
34 497
DID YOU KNOW? + INFO
Johannes Gutenberg
invented the movable-type Country information:
printing press in the 1450s. UNTRANSLATABLE WORD deutschland.de
This meant that books could Sehnsucht Permanent Representation
be mass produced and A deep yearning for something to the European Union:
became widely available. which may not be attainable. bruessel-eu.diplo.de
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 33ESTONIA
Republic of Estonia
CAPITAL: TALLINN
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
Blue is for the skies and water,
OFFICIAL black for the soil and thick forests
LANGUAGE and white for the winter snow.
Estonian (Finno-Ugric)
Narva
Kohtla-Järve
POPULATION
1.3 million (2019) TALLINN
EE AREA
45 336 km2
Tartu
NATIONAL DAY
24
February
€
Declaration of
independence CURRENCY
from Russia (1918) Euro (EUR, since 2011)
A map of Estonia appears on the
national side of the euro coin.
34 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Estonian parliament (Riigikogu) is OF THE COUNCIL
composed of 101 members elected for
4 years in general elections. The head of state July-December 2017
is the President of the Republic, elected by Voting age next one not
the parliament for 4 years. The President has yet decided
primarily representative functions, but he 18
or she nominates the Prime Minister, who not compulsory
is then appointed by the parliament. The
power rests with the Prime Minister and the
government.
+372
ternational dialling code
In
rnet suffix .ee
Country’s inte
Estonian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Estonia
ERASMUS
1 135
STUDENTS
(2017)
1 871
DID YOU KNOW?
Estonia was the first country + INFO
in the world to use an UNTRANSLATABLE WORD
internet voting system in viitsima Country information:
the local elections in 2005, A mild feeling of laziness or estonia.ee
and later on in national and not being in the mood to do Permanent Representation
European elections. something. to the European Union: eu.mfa.ee
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 35IRELAND THE COLOURS
Ireland OF THE FLAG
Green stands for the Roman
CAPITAL: DUBLIN Catholic nationalists, orange
for the Protestant Unionist
community and white for
the peace between them.
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGES
English (Germanic)
Irish (Celtic)
POPULATION
4.9 million (2019)
Galway
IE AREA
69 947 km2 DUBLIN
Limerick
NATIONAL DAY
17
Waterford
Cork
March
€
The death of CURRENCY
Euro (EUR, since 2002)
Saint Patrick, the
The Celtic harp, symbol of Ireland,
patron of Ireland
appears on the national side of
the euro coin.
36 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
Ireland is a republic and its parliament OF THE COUNCIL
(Oireachtas) is composed of the Chamber of
Deputies (Dáil Éireann: 166 members) and July-December 2026
the Senate (Seanad Éireann: 60 senators). Voting age
Parliamentary elections are held every
5 years. The Prime Minister, the Taoiseach, is 18
appointed by the President of the Republic not compulsory
after being proposed by the Dáil Éireann. The
President, elected directly for 7 years, is the
head of state but with only a representative
role.
+353
ternational dialling code
In
rnet suffix .ie
Country’s inte
Irish students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Ireland
ERASMUS
3 472
STUDENTS
(2017)
8 017
+ INFO
DID YOU KNOW? Country information:
Ireland is the most successful ireland.ie
country ever in the Eurovision UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Permanent Representation
song contest, with a record plámás to the European Union:
total of seven wins. Flattery, soft talk. dfa.ie/prep/brussels
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 37THE COLOURS
GREECE
OF THE FLAG
The colours of the flag are
believed to come from the
Hellenic Republic blue of the sky and the white
of the waves. The white cross
CAPITAL: ATHENS symbolises Greek Orthodoxy.
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE
Thessaloniki
Greek (Hellenic)
POPULATION
10.7 million (2019)
ATHENS
EL AREA Patras
131 694 km2 Piraeus
NATIONAL DAY
25
March Heraklion
CURRENCY
€
Independence from Euro (EUR, since 2002)
the Ottoman Empire An owl, copied from an ancient Athenian
(1821) coin (5th century BC), appears on the
national side of the euro coin.
38 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Greek parliament (Voulí ton Ellínon, OF THE COUNCIL
or Council of the Greeks) has 300
members elected for 4 years in general July-December 2027
elections. The President of the Republic, Voting age
elected by the parliament for 5 years,
is the head of state, but has only a 17
representative role. However, he or she compulsory
appoints the Prime Minister and the
government.
+30
dialling code
International
r
rnet suffix .g
Country’s inte
Greek students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Greece
ERASMUS
5 259
STUDENTS
(2017)
4 688
+ INFO
DID YOU KNOW? UNTRANSLATABLE
The word ‘tragedy’ is of Greek origin WORD Country information:
and means ‘goat song’, because μεράκι [meráki] visitgreece.gr
early Greek tragedies honoured To do something with love Permanent Representation
Dionysus, the god of wine, and the and devotion, and in a to the European Union: mfa.gr/
players wore goat skins. caring way. brussels/en/permanent-representation-eu
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 39SPAIN
Kingdom of Spain
CAPITAL: MADRID
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The coat of arms represents the six kingdoms
that made up Spain in the past. The colours
were originally chosen to differentiate
OFFICIAL Spanish ships from other nations’ ships.
LANGUAGE
Spanish (Romance)
Bilbao
POPULATION
46.9 million (2019)
Barcelona
ES AREA MADRID
505 983 km2
Valencia
NATIONAL DAY
12
Seville
October
Hispanic day − the
€
discovery of America CURRENCY
by Christopher Euro (EUR, since 2002)
Columbus (1492) King Felipe VI appears on the
national side of the euro coin.
40 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Spanish parliament (Cortes Generales) is OF THE COUNCIL
composed of the Congress (Congreso de los
Diputados: 350 members) and the Senate July-December 2023
(Senado: 266 senators) elected for 4 years. Voting age
The King is the head of state, but has only a
representative role. Power is shared between 18
the central authorities and the autonomous not compulsory
regions. Spanish territory includes the Canary
Islands and Balearic Islands, along with the
two enclaves in northern Africa: Ceuta and
Melilla.
+34
dialling code
International
rnet suffix .es
Country’s inte
Spanish students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Spain
ERASMUS
40 079
STUDENTS
(2017)
48 595
+ INFO
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
DID YOU KNOW? sobremesa spain.info
Spain is a world leader The time you spend at the table Permanent Representation
when it comes to organ after eating, usually chatting to the European Union:
donation and transplants. with family and friends. es-ue.org
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 41FRANCE
French Republic
CAPITAL: PARIS
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The flag has its origins in
the aftermath of the French
Revolution; white was the royal
OFFICIAL
colour, and blue and red were
LANGUAGE
the traditional colours of the
French (Romance)
City of Paris.
POPULATION
67 million (2019)
PARIS
FR AREA
638 475 km2
Lyon
NATIONAL DAY
14
July
Toulouse
Nice
Marseille
CURRENCY
€
The storming Euro (EUR, since 2002)
of the Bastille A tree symbolising life, continuity
(1789) and growth appears on the
national side of the euro coin.
42 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The French parliament is composed of the OF THE COUNCIL
National Assembly (Assemblée nationale, 577
members elected in general elections for 5 years) January-June 2022
and the Senate (Sénat, 348 senators elected by Voting age
an electoral college for 6 years). The President
of the Republic, elected directly for 5 years, is 18
the head of state. He or she has considerable not compulsory
political powers and appoints the Prime Minister
from the parliamentary majority. France also has
overseas departments and territories.
+33
dialling code
International
rnet suffix .fr
Country’s inte
French students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in France
ERASMUS
43 905
STUDENTS
(2017)
28 722
+ INFO
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
DID YOU KNOW? dépayser france.fr
France is the country with Have a change of scenery, Permanent Representation
most Nobel Prizes for break from one’s usual to the European Union:
literature in the world. routine and habits. ue.delegfrance.org
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 43CROATIA
Republic of Croatia
CAPITAL: ZAGREB
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The red, white and blue
OFFICIAL are pan-Slavic colours. The
LANGUAGE checkerboard of red and white
Croatian (Slavic) is the historical shield of Croatia.
POPULATION
4.1 million (2019) ZAGREB
Osijek
Rijeka
HR AREA
56 594 km2
NATIONAL DAY
30
Split
May
CURRENCY Dubrovnik
Independence
Kuna (HRK)
from the former
A brown bear, the largest animal
Yugoslavia (1991) living in Croatia, appears on the
kuna coin.
44 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Croatian parliament (Sabor) has 151 OF THE COUNCIL
members elected for 4 years. The President
of the Republic is elected directly for 5 years January-June 2020
and has mainly a representative role. He or Voting age
she appoints the Prime Minister, who must
have the confidence of the majority of the 18
members of parliament. not compulsory
+385
ternational dialling code
In
r
rnet suffix .h
Country’s inte
Croatian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Croatia
ERASMUS
1 778
STUDENTS
(2017)
2 097
+ INFO
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
DID YOU KNOW? priženiti se croatia.hr
The Dalmatian dog breed When a man marries into Permanent Representation
can be traced back to Croatia his wife’s family (and not to the European Union:
and the Dalmatia region. vice-versa). eu.mfa.hr
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 45ITALY
Italian Republic
CAPITAL: ROME
Milan
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGE Turin
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
Italian (Romance)
Green stands for the Italian
hills and pastures, white for the
snow-capped Alps and red for
POPULATION the bloodshed in wars.
60.4 million (2019)
ROME
IT AREA
302 073 km2
Naples
NATIONAL DAY
2
June
Palermo
CURRENCY
Euro (EUR, since 2002)
€
The proclamation The Vitruvian Man, a drawing by
of the Italian Leonardo da Vinci of the proportions
Republic (1946) of the human body, appears on the
national side of the euro coin.
46 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Italian parliament is composed of the OF THE COUNCIL
Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati:
630 members) and the Senate (Senato della January-June 2028
Repubblica: 315 senators). Parliamentary Voting age
elections are held every 5 years. The head of
state is the President of the Republic, elected 18
by the parliament for a period of 7 years, not compulsory
but the role is essentially representative.
However, the President appoints the Prime (25 for elections
Minister, who needs the confidence of both to the Senate)
chambers of parliament.
+39
dialling code
International
rnet suffix .it
Country’s inte
Italian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Italy
ERASMUS
35 666
STUDENTS
(2017)
26 294
+ INFO
Country information:
DID YOU KNOW? UNTRANSLATABLE WORD italia.it
Italy is the country with the abbiocco Permanent Representation
most UNESCO heritage sites The heavy drowsiness you to the European Union:
in the world. feel after a rich meal. italiaue.esteri.it/rapp_ue
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 47CYPRUS
Republic of Cyprus
CAPITAL: NICOSIA
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The green olive branches on a white
OFFICIAL background represent the hope for peace.
LANGUAGES The map on the flag is a copper-orange
Greek (Hellenic) colour, symbolising the large deposits of
Turkish (Turkic) copper on the island. Cyprus was the first
nation to include its map on the flag.
POPULATION
0.9 million (2019)
CY AREA
9 253 km2
NICOSIA
Larnaka
NATIONAL DAY
1
Paphos Limassol
October
CURRENCY
€
The proclamation Euro (EUR, since 2008)
of the Republic A cruciform idol from 3000 BC
of Cyprus (1960) appears on the national side of the
euro coin.
48 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Cypriot parliament is called the House of OF THE COUNCIL
Representatives (Vouli ton Antiprosópon) and has
80 members, 56 of whom are elected directly January-June 2026
for 5 years, with the remaining 24 seats reserved Voting age
for the Turkish community, although these have
been vacant since 1964. There are also three 18
representatives of religious minorities (from compulsory
the Maronite, Roman Catholic and Armenian
churches), who have observer status. The
President of the Republic is elected directly for
5 years and is both head of state and head of
government.
+357
ternational dialling code w
In
rnet suffix .cy
Country’s inte
Cypriot students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Cyprus
ERASMUS
635
STUDENTS
(2017)
1 077
+ INFO
DID YOU KNOW? UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
Cyprus is home to the κκελετζής [kkeletzis] visitcyprus.com
most Blue Flag beaches by This means stubborn in Permanent Representation
country size in the world. It Cypriot Greek, but the word to the European Union:
boasts 57 clean beaches. is not used in Greece. mfa.gov.cy/permrepeu
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 49LATVIA
Republic of Latvia
CAPITAL: RIGA
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
Carmine red represents the willingness
OFFICIAL
to fight for freedom and liberty. The
LANGUAGE
white stripe represents peace and
Latvian (Baltic)
independence.
POPULATION
1.9 million (2019)
LV AREA
64 586 km2 RIGA
Jelgava
Liepaja
NATIONAL DAY
18
Daugavpils
November
€
The proclamation
CURRENCY
of the Republic Euro (EUR, since 2014)
of Latvia (1918) A Latvian folk maiden appears on
the national side of the euro coin.
50 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Latvian parliament (Saeima) has OF THE COUNCIL
100 members elected in general
elections for 4 years. The President of July-December 2028
the Republic, elected by the parliament Voting age
for 4 years, appoints the Prime Minister,
who forms the government. Before 18
taking up work, a new government not compulsory
needs a vote of confidence by the
Saeima.
+371
ternational dialling code
In
rnet suffix .lv
Country’s inte
Latvian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Latvia
ERASMUS
2 156
STUDENTS
(2017)
1 946
DID YOU KNOW?
A unique song and + INFO
dance festival, which
was first held in 1873, has UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
become part of the UNESCO ciemakukulis latvia.eu
intangible heritage list. Around A small gift, usually edible, Permanent Representation
40 000 performers participate that visitors bring to their to the European Union:
in the event. host. mfa.gov.lv/en/brussels
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 51LITHUANIA
Republic of Lithuania
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
CAPITAL: VILNIUS Yellow stands for the golden
wheat fields, green for the
forests and red for the bravery
and blood of those defending
OFFICIAL Lithuania.
LANGUAGE
Lithuanian (Baltic)
POPULATION Klaipėda Šiauliai
2.8 million (2019)
LT AREA
65 284 km2
Kaunas
VILNIUS
NATIONAL DAY
16
February CURRENCY
€
Euro (EUR, from 2015)
Independence The coat of arms, Vytis, of the
from Russia (1918) Republic of Lithuania appears on
the national side of the euro coin.
52 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Lithuanian parliament OF THE COUNCIL
(Seimas) has 141 members elected
for 4 years. The President of January-June 2027
the Republic, elected directly Voting age
for 5 years, appoints the Prime
Minister after approval by the 18
Seimas. not compulsory
+370
ternational dialling code
In
rnet suffix .lt
Country’s inte
Lithuanian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Lithuania
ERASMUS
4 452
STUDENTS
(2017)
3 161
संस्कृतम्
+ INFO
DID YOU KNOW? Country information:
Lithuanian is the oldest UNTRANSLATABLE WORD lietuva.lt
surviving Indo-European nepakartojama Permanent Representation
language, and the closest A moment that is beyond to the European Union:
to Sanskrit. perfect. eurep.mfa.lt
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 53LUXEMBOURG
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
CAPITAL: LUXEMBOURG THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The red, white and blue colours are
derived from the coat of arms of the
House of Luxembourg.
OFFICIAL
LANGUAGES
French (Romance)
German (Germanic)
Luxembourgish (Germanic)
POPULATION
0.6 million (2019)
LU AREA
2 595 km2
NATIONAL DAY
23
June € Esch-sur-
LUXEMBOURG
Schifflange
Alzette
Dudelange
Official birthday CURRENCY
of the Grand Duke Euro (EUR, since 2002)
Grand Duke Henri appears on the
national side of all euro coins.
54 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
Luxembourg’s parliament is called the OF THE COUNCIL
Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des
Députés/Châmber vun Députéirten/ January-June 2029
Abgeordnetenkammer) and has 60 members Voting age
elected for 5 years. The Grand Duke is the
head of state, but has only a representative 18
role. He appoints the Prime Minister, compulsory
who chooses the other ministers. The
government needs the confidence from the
majority of the members of parliament.
+352
ternational dialling code
In
rnet suffix .lu
Country’s inte Luxembourgish
Foreign students students studying
studying in abroad
Luxembourg
ERASMUS
538
STUDENTS
(2017)
1 077
+ INFO
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
DID YOU KNOW THIS? verkënnen luxembourg.public.lu
Luxembourg is the only To gradually experience the Permanent Representation
remaining grand duchy in effects of old age in body to the European Union:
the world. and mind. bruxelles-rpue.mae.lu
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 55HUNGARY
Hungary
CAPITAL: BUDAPEST
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
OFFICIAL
The white symbolises Hungary’s rivers,
LANGUAGE
the green its mountains and the red
Hungarian (Finno-Ugric)
the bloodshed in battles.
POPULATION
9.8 million (2019) Miskolc
Debrecen
HU AREA BUDAPEST
93 012 km2
NATIONAL DAY
20
Szeged
Pécs
August
Canonisation
of Hungary’s first CURRENCY
King, St Stephen Forint (HUF)
(1083) The coat of arms of Hungary
appears on the forint coin.
56 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
Hungary is a republic and its parliament, OF THE COUNCIL
the National Assembly (Országgyűlés),
has 199 members elected for 4 years in July-December 2024
general elections. The President of the Voting age
Republic is the head of state, elected
by the parliament every 5 years. The 18
President proposes the Prime Minister to not compulsory
parliament, which must give its consent.
+36
dialling code
International
u
rnet suffix .h
Country’s inte
Hungarian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Hungary
ERASMUS
4 341
STUDENTS
(2017)
6 242
+ INFO
DID YOU KNOW THIS? UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
The capital city, Budapest, hiányérzet wowhungary.com
has more thermal springs The feeling that something Permanent Representation
than any other capital in is missing but you don’t to the European Union:
the world. know exactly what. eu-brusszel.mfa.gov.hu
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 57MALTA
Republic of Malta THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The colours are from coats of arms
CAPITAL: VALLETTA from the Middle Ages. The George
Cross shown in the white stripe was
awarded to the Maltese by King
George VI for their bravery during
OFFICIAL World War II.
LANGUAGES
English (Germanic)
Maltese (Semitic,
written in Latin alphabet)
POPULATION
0.5 million (2019)
MT AREA San Pawl il-Baħar
316 km2
Mosta
€
NATIONAL DAY Birkirkara
21
VALLETTA
September CURRENCY
Euro (EUR, since 2008)
Independence The Maltese cross, the emblem
from the United used by the Sovereign Order of
Kingdom (1964) Malta, appears on the national
side of the euro coin.
58 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
Malta’s parliament is called the House of OF THE COUNCIL
Representatives (Kamra tar-Rappreżentanti)
and has 67 members elected for 5 years. The July-December 2030
President of the Republic is elected by the Voting age
parliament for 5 years and has an essentially
representative role. The Prime Minister and 16
the other ministers are appointed by the not compulsory
President.
+356
ternational dialling code
In
t
rnet suffix .m
Country’s inte
Maltese students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Malta
ERASMUS
413
STUDENTS
(2017)
2 431
+ INFO
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
DID YOU KNOW? Ħallata Ballata visitmalta.com
Malta is the smallest country Complete chaos, Permanent Representation
in the EU and has the highest everything thrown to the European Union:
population density in the EU. together without order. foreignaffairs.gov.mt
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 59THE NETHERLANDS
Kingdom of the Netherlands
CAPITAL: AMSTERDAM
OFFICIAL THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
LANGUAGE The original flag was orange,
Dutch (Germanic) white and blue, which were
the colours of Prince William of
Orange. As the orange colour
POPULATION would turn red due to sun
17.3 million (2019) exposure, it was replaced
in the 17th century with red.
NL AREA AMSTERDAM
37 378 km2 The Hague
Utrecht
Rotterdam
NATIONAL DAY
27
April
Eindhoven
€
The birth of the
CURRENCY
current King Euro (EUR, since 2002)
Willem-Alexander King Willem-Alexander appears on
the national side of the euro coin.
60 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Dutch parliament (Staten Generaal) has OF THE COUNCIL
two chambers: the First Chamber (Eerste
Kamer, with 75 members) and the Second July-December 2029
Chamber (Tweede Kamer, with 150 members), Voting age
elected for 4 years. The King is the head of
state and has only a representative role, 18
but appoints the Prime Minister. The Royal not compulsory
Court, the government, parliament and the
Supreme Court are all located in The Hague.
The Netherlands also has island territories in
the Caribbean.
+31
dialling code
International
l
rnet suffix .n
Country’s inte
Foreign students Dutch students
studying in the studying abroad
Netherlands
ERASMUS
13 831
STUDENTS
(2017)
14 145
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD + INFO
DID YOU KNOW? gezellig
In the Netherlands there are This means cosy, lively, Country information:
more bicycles (22.5 million) intimate or fun. The word holland.com
than people (17.2 million), and can describe places, people, Permanent Representation
three times as many bicycles experiences and even the to the European Union:
as there are cars. weather. eu.nlmission.org
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 61AUSTRIA
Republic of Austria
CAPITAL: VIENNA
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
Legend has it that the flag was
OFFICIAL designed to represent Leopold V’s
LANGUAGE (Duke of Austria) coat after a fierce
German (Germanic) battle. His white coat was soaked
with blood, and when he removed
his belt the cloth underneath was
still white.
POPULATION
8.9 million (2019)
Linz
AT AREA Salzburg VIENNA
83 878 km2
Innsbruck Graz
NATIONAL DAY
26
October CURRENCY
Euro (EUR, since 2002)
€
Adoption of Austria’s The composer Wolfgang Amadeus
Law of Neutrality Mozart, who was born in Austria,
(1955) appears on the national side of the
euro coin.
62 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Austrian parliament (Bundesversammlung) OF THE COUNCIL
is composed of the National Council
(Nationalrat: 183 members elected for 5 years July-December 2018
in general elections) and the Federal Council Voting age next one not
(Bundesrat: 61 members appointed by the
provinces). The President of the Republic is 16 yet decided
elected directly for 6 years and has mainly a not compulsory
representative role. The Federal Chancellor,
who leads the government, is appointed
by the President. Austria is a federal state
composed of nine provinces, or Bundesländer.
+43
dialling code
International
rnet suffix .at
Country’s inte
Austrian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Austria
ERASMUS
7 487
STUDENTS
(2017)
7 934
+ INFO
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD
Schmäh Country information:
DID YOU KNOW THIS? This can be a joke, a trick austria.info
The oldest zoo in the world or a lie, but also regional or Permanent Representation
is in Vienna. It was founded personal charm, sense of to the European Union:
in 1752. humour and wit. bmeia.gv.at/oev-bruessel
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 63POLAND
Republic of Poland
CAPITAL: WARSAW
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The colours are inspired by the
first recorded use of the coat of
arms of Poland: a white eagle
OFFICIAL on a red shield.
LANGUAGE
Polish (Slavic)
POPULATION
38 million (2019)
PL AREA Poznań
312 679 km2
Łódź WARSAW
Wrocław
NATIONAL DAYS
11
November
Kraków
CURRENCY
Restauration Zloty (PLN)
of independence The eagle from Poland’s
(1918) coat of arms appears on
the zloty coin.
64 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Polish parliament is composed of the OF THE COUNCIL
Sejm (460 members) and the Senat (100
members). The members of both chambers January-June 2025
are elected for 4 years in general elections. Voting age
The President of the Republic, elected
directly for 5 years, appoints the Prime 18
Minister, whose government needs a vote of not compulsory
confidence from the Sejm.
+4 8
dialling code
International
l
rnet suffix .p
Country’s inte
Polish students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Poland
ERASMUS
15 453
STUDENTS
(2017)
16 908
+ INFO
DID YOU KNOW THIS? UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
Prince Krakus is said to have załatwić polska.pl
slain the Dragon of Wawel To deal with something using Permanent Representation
Hill, and given his name to a kind of trick or your personal to the European Union:
the city of Kraków. connections or charm. brukselaue.msz.gov.pl
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 65PORTUGAL
Portuguese Republic
CAPITAL: LISBON
THE COLOURS Braga
OFFICIAL OF THE FLAG
LANGUAGE Green symbolises hope Porto
Portuguese (Romance) for the future, and red is
the blood of the nation.
In the coat of arms the
five small blue shields
POPULATION
represent the five Moorish
10.3 million (2019)
kings who were defeated
by the first King of
Portugal.
PT AREA Amadora
92 227 km2 LISBON
Setúbal
NATIONAL DAY
10
June
€
The death of the CURRENCY
poet Luis de Camões Euro (EUR, since 2002)
(1580) The royal seal from 1144 appears on the
national side of the euro coin.
66 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Portuguese parliament (Assembleia da OF THE COUNCIL
República) is composed of 230 members
elected for 4 years. The President of the January-June 2021
Republic is elected directly for 5 years. He Voting age
or she is the head of state and appoints
the Prime Minister. Portugal includes two 18
autonomous island regions in the Atlantic not compulsory
Ocean: Madeira and the Azores.
+351
dialling code
International
t
rnet suffix .p
Country’s inte
Portuguese students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Portugal
ERASMUS
9 132
STUDENTS
(2017)
14 306
+ INFO
UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
saudade portugalglobal.pt
DID YOU KNOW? Nostalgia for someone or Permanent Representation
Portugal is the largest cork something that is no longer to the European Union:
producer in the world near or with you. ue.missaoportugal.mne.pt
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 67ROMANIA
Romania
CAPITAL: BUCHAREST
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
Blue stands for the sky and liberty,
yellow for fields and justice and
OFFICIAL
red for blood and fraternity.
LANGUAGE
Romanian (Romance)
POPULATION
19.4 million (2019) Iaşi
Cluj-Napoca
RO AREA
238 398 km2
Timişoara
NATIONAL DAY
1
Constanța
BUCHAREST
December
Union of Transylvania
with the former CURRENCY
Kingdom of Romania Leu (RON)
(1918) The coat of arms of Romania appears
on the bani coin (fraction of leu).
68 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
Romania is a republic and the parliament OF THE COUNCIL
(Parlamentul României) is composed of the
Chamber of Deputies (Camera Deputaților: January-June 2019
329 members) and the Senate (Senat: 136 Voting age
senators), elected for 4 years. The President of
the Republic, elected directly for 5 years, is the 18
head of state and has considerable powers. He not compulsory
or she nominates the Prime Minister from the
parliamentary majority to form a government.
+4 0
dialling code
International
rnet suffix . ro
Country’s inte
Romanian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Romania
ERASMUS
7 202
STUDENTS
(2017)
3 541
+ INFO
DID YOU KNOW? UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Country information:
The name ‘Romania’ struţocămilă romaniatourism.com
comes from the Latin word Literally ‘ostrich-camel’, Permanent Representation
Romanus, which means the word describes items to the European Union:
citizen of the Roman Empire. that do not go together. ue.mae.ro
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 69SLOVENIA
Republic of Slovenia
CAPITAL: LJUBLJANA
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The coat of arms shows Mount Triglav,
Slovenia’s highest peak, wavy blue
OFFICIAL lines representing the Adriatic Sea and
LANGUAGE local rivers, and three golden stars
Slovenian (Slavic) taken from the coat of arms of the
Counts of Celje.
POPULATION
2.1 million (2019) Maribor
Kranj Celje
SI AREA
20 273 km2
LJUBLJANA
NATIONAL DAY
25
June
CURRENCY
€
Independence Euro (EUR, since 2007)
from the former Primož Trubar, author of the first book
Yugoslavia (1991) printed in Slovenian, appears on the
national side of the euro coin.
70 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020POLITICAL SYSTEM PRESIDENCY
The Slovenian parliament is composed of OF THE COUNCIL
the National Assembly (Državni zbor: 90
members elected for 4 years in general July-December 2021
elections, two seats being reserved for the Voting age
Hungarian and Italian minorities) and the
National Council (Državni svet: 40 members 18
elected by indirect vote for 5 years). The not compulsory
President of the Republic, directly elected
for 5 years, proposes the Prime Minister to
parliament, which must give its consent.
+386
ternational dialling code
In
rnet suffix .si
Country’s inte
Slovenian students
Foreign students studying abroad
studying in Slovenia
ERASMUS
1 958
STUDENTS
(2017)
2 684
+ INFO
DID YOU KNOW?
Slovenians are a genuine Country information:
beekeeping nation: Slovenia slovenia.si
is the only EU Member State UNTRANSLATABLE WORD Permanent Representation
to have protected its native vedriti to the European Union:
bee, the Carniolan bee. To take shelter from the rain. brussels.representation.si
May 2020 | EN | EU FACTS AND FIGURES 71SLOVAKIA
Slovak Republic
CAPITAL: BRATISLAVA
THE COLOURS OF THE FLAG
The colours stand for Slavic unity and
OFFICIAL independence. On the coat of arms, the
LANGUAGE double silver cross is a Christian symbol for
Slovak (Slavic) the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the
blue symbol represents the Matra, Tatra
and Fatra mountains.
POPULATION
5.5 million (2019)
Žilina
Prešov
SK AREA Košice
49 035 km2
Banská Bystrica
NATIONAL DAY BRATISLAVA
1
September
CURRENCY
€
Constitution Day Euro (EUR, since 2009)
(1992) A double cross on three hills, as featured in
the national emblem of Slovakia, appears
on the national side of the euro coin.
72 EU FACTS AND FIGURES | EN | May 2020You can also read
