E.U presentation by Laura and Becca

1. The European Union

3. The origins of the European Union go back to 1951 with a treaty between Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The European Union aims to be a fair and caring society. All EU courtiers are committed to peace, democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. The European Union with 27 member countries, covers a large part of the continent of Europe.

4. The countries of the European Union Include … Austria Belgium Czech Republic Cyprus Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Ireland Latvia Italy Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden UK Romania Bulgaria

5. *Latvia* Capital city: Riga Currency: Lats Population: 2.3 million Total area: 65,000 km2 Year of EU entry: 2004 Political system: Republic Language: Latvian

6. The 100-seat unicameral Latvian Parliament, the Saeima, is elected by direct, popular vote every four years. The president is elected by the Parliament, also every four years. Among the best-known Latvians are the expressionist painter Mark Rothko and the contemporary composer Peteris Vasks.

7. Characteristic specialities of Latvian cuisine are speka piradzini (bacon pies) and a refreshing , cold sour cream soup.

8. * Sweden * Capital: Stockholm Currency: Swedish Krona Population: 8.9 million Total area: 450,000 km2 Year of EU entry: 1995 Political system: constitutional monarchy

9. Sweden has the largest population of the Nordic countries. It is separated in the west from Norway by a range of mountains. It shares the Gulf of Bothnia at the north end of the Baltic Sea with Finland. The Southern part of the country is chiefly agricultural, with forests covering an increasing percentage of the land and further north one goes. Sweden exports cars, engineering products, steel, electronic products, steel, electronic devices, communications equipment and paper products.

10. The Swedish cuisine is known for its smorgasbord ( a buffet of savoury delicacies ), Baltic herring, pea soup and pankakes.