The European Union

The European Union, initially called the European Economic Community, was born after World War II out of determination to avoid another catastrophic war on the European continent.

Six countries - Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg - signed the founding Treaty of Rome in 1957.

In its 50th anniversary in 2007, the EU now boasts 27 national states, including 10 new democracies that were formerly under the Communist umbrella.

With a total population of 492,852 million, the EU has become the largest economy in the world with a GDP of $13 trillion, and is currently a major participant in global politics and economics.