European Union

The largest and strongest economy in the EU

• Italy

• Germany

• France

• United Kingdom

Answer explanation

Germany's economy has consistently had the largest economy in Europe since 1980, even before the reunification of West and East Germany. It is followed by France and Italy.

When was the EU founded?

• 1993

• 2001

• 1997

• 1995

Answer explanation

The European Union was formally established when the Maastricht Treaty—whose main architects were Horst Köhler, Helmut Kohl and François Mitterrand—came into force on 1 November 1993.

The current President of the European Commission

• Jacinda Ardern

• Kristalina Georgieva

• Ursula von der Leyen

• Jean Juncker

Answer explanation

In July 2019, the European Council nominated Ursula von der Leyen to succeed Jean-Claude Juncker, and she was elected the 13th president of the European Commission by the European Parliament on 16 July. She assumed office on 1 December 2019.

What is the currency used in the EU?

• Euro

• Dollar

• Mark

• Franc

Answer explanation

The euro (symbol: €; currency code: EUR) is the official currency of 20 of the 27 member states of the European Union. This group of states is officially known as the euro area or, commonly, the eurozone, and includes about 344 million citizens as of 2023. The euro is divided into 100 euro cents.

Which city is the headquarters of the European Union?

• Brussels

• Paris

• Berlin

• Rome

Answer explanation

The EU has no official capital but Brussels hosts the official seats of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, and European Council, as well as a seat (officially the second seat) of the European Parliament. The main rationale for Brussels being chosen was its halfway location between France and Germany, the two countries whose rivalry played a role in starting the two World Wars and whose reconciliation paved the way for European integration.

Which country is known as the 'Land of the Midnight Sun'?

• Norway

• Sweden

• Finland

• Iceland

Answer explanation

It has acquired this name since Norway experiences the natural phenomena called the midnight sun. When the earth is rotating at a tilted axis relative to the sun, and during the summer months, the North Pole is angled towards our star. That's why, for several weeks, the sun never sets above the Arctic Circle. Svalbard is the place in Norway where the midnight sun occurs for the longest period.

Which country is known as the 'Land of a Thousand Lakes'?

• Norway

• Sweden

• Finland

• Iceland

Answer explanation

Finland is known as the land of a thousand lakes, yet there are actually more than 180,000 lakes in Finland. More than 10% of Finland's total area is covered by water.

Which treaty established the European Union?

• Treaty of Rome

• Treaty of Lisbon

• Treaty of Maastricht

• Treaty of Nice

It is a scheme that allows vulnerable developing countries to pay lower tariffs on their exports to the EU.

• Lowered Tariff Trade System

• Preferential Trade Option

• Generalised System of Preferences

• Tariff Reduction Program

Answer explanation

The GSP aims to help boost the economies of the countries in question, reducing poverty and creating jobs.

It is a prominent tourist destination in Iceland with a volcano, glacier and hot springs

• Reykjavik

• Seydisfjordur

• Jökulsárlón

• Eyjafjallajökull