Special Sub-Topic: European Geography - Some Basics Click Here To Play: European Geography - Some Basics

Which of these countries is NOT a member of the European Union?

Norway. In 2003 the member countries of the European Union were: Austria, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. They were joined on 1 May 2004 by: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU on 1 January 2007. In 1972 and again in 1995 the Norwegians voted in a referendum against joining the EU.

Which of the following countries had the highest per capita GDP in 2000?

Luxembourg. If one excludes the very smallest countries in Europe, such as Liechtenstein and Monaco, Luxembourg has the highest standard of living (in terms of GDP divided by population). The figures for 2000 in US$ were as follows: Luxembourg 43,260; Denmark 32,290; Sweden 27,040 and Germany 24,850. (Information taken from table published in the "Financial Times", 12.12.2000). Luxembourg and Denmark continue to maintain a very high level of prosperity, well ahead of most other countries in the EU.

Which of the following countries has NOT adopted the Euro as its currency?

Britain. The following members of the European Union were the original Eurozone countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland (Repulbic), Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. The Euro was created as a currency on 1.1.1999, and banknotes and coins came into circulation on 1.1.2002. (Between these two dates the exchange rates between the "national" currencies and the Euro were locked - that is, they were completely fixed with no room for any fluctuation. Thus the "national" currencies were in effect the Euro, denominated differently in the various countries in the Euro zone). Slovenia adopted the Euro on 1.1.2007; Cyprus and Malta adopted the Euro on 1.1.2008, and Slovakia on 1.1.2009. Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City also use the Euro.

Which country in Western Europe is largest in area?

France. With an area of 212,943 square miles France is easily the biggest country in Western Europe. It is also the third largest country in Europe as a whole, after European Russia and Ukraine. However, France is somewhat smaller in area than Texas.

What is the most southerly point of mainland Europe?

Cape Tarifa. Cape Tarifa is just north of the 36th parallel, which runs south even of Sicily. Gibraltar is some miles NE of Cape Tarifa. Cape Matapan, the most southerly point of the Greek mainland is somewhat further north and Reggio di Calabria, the city in the 'toe' of Italy, is even further north. Obviously, some of the Greek islands and a few of the southern Sicilian islands such as Lampedusa are further south.

Three countries span Europe and Asia. One is Russia and another is Kazakhstan. What is the third?

Turkey. In view of this and the vagueness of Europe's eastern boundary the division between Europe and Asia is arguably not very satisfactory - geographically, politically or culturally.

Ten new member countries joined the European Union on 1 May 2004. Which of the following was NOT one of them?

Croatia. The following countries became memebers of the European Union in 2004: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia. Bulgaria and Romania joined on 1 January 2007.

Which covers a larger area - Germany or Spain?

Spain. Germany covers an area of 137,803 square miles and Spain 194,896 square miles. So Germany is smaller than California. The figure for Spain includes the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands - *mainland* Spain covers an area of 189,652 square miles.

Into which of these does Europe's longest river, the Volga, flow?

The Caspian Sea. The Volga forms a delta as it approaches the Caspian Sea. The main city in the Vogla delta area is Astrakhan.

Which city is the administrative capital of the European Union?

Brussels. Brussels is also home to the headquarters of NATO. Strasbourg is the seat of the European Parliament. Frankfurt is home to the European Central Bank (ECB). Luxembourg is home to the European Investment Bank the European Court of Justice (ECJ). (This last is concerned with EU law and should NOT be confused with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which is not an EU Institution).