Page 143 - Key to Social Studies 5

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The European Union

The European Union, or collection of countries, is a unique

economic and political group of twenty-seven countries that

together cover much of the continent of Europe.

The Union was made through two steps:

• The rst step was the formation of the European Economic

Community (EEC) in 1957, which increased economic cooperation,

or helpful support, among European nations.

• The second step was the formation of the European Union (EU) in

1993. The EEC was incorporated and renamed the European

Community (EC). In 2009, the EC's institutions became part of the

EU's wider framework.

Map of the EU countries

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