European Union

The European Union (EU) is a group of countries in europe that have agreed to work closely together. It was created to help European nations live in peace and support one another after many years of wars, including World War II. Instead of competing or fighting, the countries decided to cooperate in areas like trade, travel, and protecting the environment. Today, the European Union includes over 25 countries that share similar goals of peace, fairness, and progress.

The European Union started with a few countries in the 1950s. They formed a small economic group to trade coal and steel, which were very important for rebuilding after the war. The idea was simple — if countries traded and shared resources, they would be less likely to fight. Over time, more nations joined, and the cooperation expanded from trade to other areas like farming, science, and education. The EU became official in 1993 under the Maastricht Treaty.

One of the most famous parts of the EU is the Euro, a shared currency used by many of its members. People in countries like france, germany, spain, and italy can use the same money without changing it when they travel. This makes trade and tourism easier. However, not all countries use the Euro — for example, Sweden and poland still use their own currencies.

The EU also allows citizens to travel, work, and live freely in any member country. This means a person from portugal can study in Germany or work in the Netherlands without needing a visa. The goal is to make Europe feel like a single community, even though each country keeps its own government and traditions. The EU has its own flag — a blue background with twelve gold stars — symbolizing unity and harmony.

Decisions in the European Union are made through several main bodies. The European parliament represents the people, while the European Council and European Commission represent governments. They discuss and agree on laws that affect all members, such as protecting nature, improving safety, or setting trade rules. These institutions make sure that small and large countries both have a voice in important matters.

The European Union continues to face challenges, such as economic changes and disagreements about immigration. Some countries, like the united-kingdom, have even left the EU, a process known as Brexit. Still, the European Union remains one of the most important examples of countries choosing cooperation over conflict. Its main goal remains to keep peace, promote democracy, and help people live better lives together.