Facts and Figures
Ukraine
After Russia, the Ukrainian republic was far and away the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic.
Turkey
Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the Anatolian remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa Kemal, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks."
Serbia
The Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed in 1918; its name was changed to Yugoslavia in 1929.
Russia
Russia ended 2007 with its ninth straight year of growth, averaging 7% annually since the financial crisis of 1998.
Montenegro
The use of the name Montenegro began in the 15th century when the Crnojevic dynasty began to rule the Serbian principality of Zeta; over subsequent centuries Montenegro was able to maintain its independence from the Ottoman Empire.
Moldova
Formerly part of Romania, Moldova was incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II.
Macedonia
Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition...
Greenland
Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped.
Dhekelia
By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
Croatia
The lands that today comprise Croatia were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the close of World War I. In 1918, the Croats, Serbs, and Slovenes formed a kingdom known after 1929 as Yugoslavia.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina's declaration of sovereignty in October 1991 was followed by a declaration of independence from the former Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992 after a referendum boycotted by ethnic Serbs.
Belarus
After seven decades as a constituent republic of the USSR, Belarus attained its independence in 1991. It has retained closer political and economic ties to Russia than any of the other former Soviet republics.
Albania
Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944.
Akrotiri
By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia.
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Facts and Figures
European Union
The evolution of the European Union (EU) from a regional economic agreement among six neighboring states in 1951 to today's supranational organization of 27 countries across the European continent stands as an unprecedented phenomenon in the annals of history.
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United Kingdom
At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation.
Sweden
Aided by peace and neutrality for the whole of the 20th century, Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living under a mixed system of high-tech capitalism and extensive welfare benefits.
Spain
Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power.
Slovenia
With the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe, Slovenia has excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe.
Slovakia
The Slovaks and the Czechs agreed to separate peacefully on 1 January 1993.
Romania
Domestic consumption and investment have fueled strong GDP growth in recent years, but have led to large current account imbalances.
Portugal
Following its heyday as a world power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence in 1822 of Brazil as a colony.
Poland
Poland is an ancient nation that was conceived near the middle of the 10th century. Its golden age occurred in the 16th century.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which depends heavily on foreign trade. It has an important role as a European transportation hub.
Malta
Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination.
Luxembourg
Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands.
Lithuania
Through alliances and conquest, Lithuania extended its territory in the 14th century to include most of present-day Belarus and Ukraine, becoming the largest state in Europe.
Latvia
The name "Latvia" originates from the ancient Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.).
Italy
Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor Emmanuel II.
Ireland
English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions.
Hungary
Hungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in Europe.
Greece
Greece achieved independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829.
Germany
As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation, Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations.
France
Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state.
Finland
Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809.
Estonia
After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918.
Denmark
Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe.
Czech Republic
Following the First World War, the closely related Czechs and Slovaks of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire merged to form Czechoslovakia.
Cyprus
A former British colony, Cyprus became independent in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia.
Bulgaria
The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state.
Belgium
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II.
Austria
Once the center of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was reduced to a small republic after its defeat in World War I.
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Facts and Figures
Switzerland
The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three.
Svalbard
(territory of Norway)
San Marino
The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco), San Marino also claims to be the world's oldest republic.
Norway
he Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity and government intervention.
Monaco
The Genoese built a fortress on the site of present-day Monaco in 1215. The current ruling Grimaldi family secured control in the late 13th century, and a principality was established in 1338.
Liechtenstein
The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719.
Kosovo
Kosovo's citizens are the poorest in Europe with an average annual per capita income of only $1800 - about one-third the level of neighboring Albania.
Jersey
(British crown dependency)
Jan Mayen
(territory of Norway)
Isle of Man
(British crown dependency)
Iceland
Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althing, established in 930.
Holy See (Vatican City)
Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy.
Guernsey
(British crown dependency)
Gibraltar
Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830.
Faroe Islands
The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century.
Andorra
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel).
European Union
EU Directive for cross-border prosecution of traffic offences
The Commission today adopted a proposal for a Directive aimed at facilitating the cross-border prosecution of traffic offences which imperil road safety.
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