Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
European Union
Table of Contents
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images & Videos
flag of the European Union European Union Treaty of Rome European Economic Community
European Union: Its purpose and significance
euro sign euro-zone debt crisis Ukraine crisis: Sevastopol Nigel Farage and the United Kingdom Independence Party
For Students
European Union summary
Read Next
Union Jack flag of Great Britain, united kingdom
What’s the Difference Between Great Britain and the United Kingdom?
Rural Irish landscape, Sligo, Ireland.
Why Is Ireland Two Countries?
King Charles III and Queen Camilla (Camilla, Queen Consort) wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Coronation of King Charles in London, England on May 6, 2023
British Royal Line of Succession
Battle of Fleurus (June 16, 1794), the most significant battle in the First Coalition phase of the French Revolutionary Wars; by Jean-Baptiste Mauzaisse, 19th century.
What Led to France’s Reign of Terror?
Discover
The Colosseum, Rome, Italy. Giant amphitheatre built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. (ancient architecture; architectural ruins)
New Seven Wonders of the World
Ruminant. Deer. Red deer. Cervus elaphus. Buck. Stag. Antlers.
9 of the World’s Deadliest Mammals
Amendments 1-10 to the Constitution of the United States constitute what is known as the Bill of Rights on an American flag.
What Is the Emoluments Clause?
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex in 2019. (Meghan Markle, British royalty)
6 Things You Should Know About Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
Hemp (Cannabis sativa).
9 Mind-Altering Plants
NBA Lakers Celtics Finals Kevin Garnett shooting.
10 Great Sports Rivalries
Close up of periodic table, focus on nickel, copper, zinc, palladium, silver, cadmium
When Was the Periodic Table Invented?

European Union: Facts & Related Content

verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/facts/European-Union
Written and fact-checked by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

Top diplomats from G7 countries meet in Canada as Trump threatens more tariffs on US allies • Mar. 13, 2025, 7:40 PM ET (AP)
Trump has begun another trade war. Here's a timeline of how we got here • Mar. 13, 2025, 5:19 PM ET (AP)
Trump threatens retaliatory 200% tariff on European wine after EU proposes American whiskey tax • Mar. 13, 2025, 4:50 PM ET (AP)
EU announces a $5 billion investment in South Africa as the tariffs war with Trump escalates • Mar. 13, 2025, 1:50 PM ET (AP)
Greece says ambitious Mediterranean power cable project is on track despite setbacks • Mar. 13, 2025, 1:41 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Unione Europea • EU • Europäische Union • Union Européenne
Awards And Honors Nobel Prize
Date November 1, 1993
Areas Of Involvement economic growth • economic integration • euro • currency • defense • European Monetary System • trade • euro area
Related People Catherine Ashton • Peter Mandelson • Umberto Bossi • Herman Van Rompuy • Romano Prodi • John Bruton

Did You Know?

  • More than 500 million people live in the European Union.
  • There are 24 official languages of the European Union.
  • During Charles de Gaulle's leadership of France in the 1960s, the country twice rejected the United Kingdom's application to the European Economic Community.

Photos and Videos

flag of the European Union
European Union
Treaty of Rome
European Economic Community
euro sign
euro-zone debt crisis
Ukraine crisis: Sevastopol
Nigel Farage and the United Kingdom Independence Party
Euroskepticism
Nigel Farage
European Union: Its purpose and significance
Learn about the history of the European Union
Learn about the the state of the development of EU-wide systems for crisis management in 2014
Understanding the role of the European Central Bank
See All Videos, Images and Audio →

Related Topics and References

Topics
Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic