Section6.UnitedKingdom

** 1.History/Background of E.U. Country **

Many important events happened after the World Wars. After World War I, the industries stopped advancing. They mainly focused on building weapons. Queen Elizabeth the second came to power after World War II in 1949. The United Kingdom also joined the E.U. in 1973. 80% of the United Kingdom’s population is in Great Britain or England. Currently, the United Kingdom has one of the largest economies in the E.U. London is also the world center financial services. The United Kingdom is still recovering from July 7, 2005 when three al-Qaida suicide bombers detonated four bombs, one of them was on a bus, and the other three were on the subway. This tragic event killed five and hurt over 700. ||
 * [[image:UK1.jpg width="256" height="322"]] || The United Kingdom has a plethora amount of fascinating history. Many events have helped Great Britain grow, advance, and become more successful through out time.There has been human life in the United Kingdom ever since 5,000 BC. The Roman Empire invaded Great Britain in 43 AD. Wales joined Great Britain in 1535, Scotland in 1707, and Northern Ireland in 1800. Because of the joining of all three countries, they changed the name to The United Kingdom. After all of these countries coming together, The United Kingdom became the most powerful country in the world during the 17th & 18th century. Great Britain is also the home of the industrial revolution.

The United Kingdom entered the European Union in 1973. London is the capital of Great Britain. The currency is the Pound Sterling. The total area of the area is 244,820 km. English is the primary language in the United Kingdom.
 * 2. Year of Admission to E.U. History and General Information about the E.U.**
 * [[image:uk-lgflag.gif width="322" height="174" caption="Click the flag to see the Big Ben" link="@http://www.360cities.net/image/bigben"]] || 

In 1957, the treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community or the common market. In 1973 Denmark, Ireland, and The United Kingdom joined the E.U, and that were not the original members. The Berlin Wall fell in 1989. The Euro was assigned to be the currency for Europe in 2000, but the United Kingdom and Denmark kept there own currency. ||


 * 3. How does the E.U. and your country feel about global temperatures/climate change? (//environmental issue)// **
 * || The House Of Commons stated that" today sets the wheels in motion to ratify the Kyoto Protocol and underlines the governments pledge to meet its environmental objectives. In fact we want to go even further." Margret Beckett, the British environmental secretary has alerted the world to unite in the fight against climate change. The House Of Commons stated, "We have today underlined the U.K.'s position as a world leader in the fight against climate change. The U.K.'s certification of The Kyoto Protocol is giving it clear public statement of our commitment to the Protocol. We continue to believe that it presents the only workable option for the international community to take serious action and we urge the other countries including the U.S., who we want to be on board in the future."

In addition to their pledge, a group of U.K. engenears have given the idea of making a forest of carbon filtering "trees" all across the U.K. media type="file" key="Jamie.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||

U.K. There are four main branches in the United Kingdom’s military. They are the Army, the Royal Navy, The Royal Marines, and the Royal Air Force. There are currently 770,243 British soldiers in existence. Click on the link to hear our view! media type="file" key="Jamie 2.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||
 * 4. How does the E.U. and your country feel about supporting the war in Afghanistan? //(political issue)// **
 * || E.U. The European Union provided €1 billion to assist and help in the war of Afghanistan. They have given €150 million to cover police patrols there. The European Union has also sent 131,500 soldiers to Afghanistan. All of the members of the E.U. had to support the war.

|| E.U. Only 9.3% European Citizens are currently unemployed. The European Union makes €1.952 trillion from exports. They pay €1.69 trillion for imported goods. They hold the highest stock in the world. This fabulous organization makes €2.196 million a day from oil. There current balance €51.4 billion. Their imports include machines, oil, chemicals, clothes and food.
 * 5. What is the economic background of your country and how does your country feel about supporting the economies of weaker countries in the E.U? //(economic issue)// **
 * [[image:british-pound.jpg width="195" height="178"]]

U.K. Only 8% of the U.K. is unemployed. 14% are below the poverty line. They have a budget of £8.19 billion. The United Kingdom is in debt £32.37 billion. They receive £351,300,300,300 from exports. They have to pay £473,600,000,000 for their imports. media type="file" key="Jamie 3.wav" width="300" height="50" Click on the link to hear our view! ||