The European Union began in 1951 and its membership reached 27 countries in 2023. The total area of the union is about 4 million square kilometers, equivalent to 42.2% of the area of the European continent.
In 2012, the European Union received the Nobel Peace Prize “for its contribution to promoting peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.” The European Union flag has a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background, symbolizing union, unity and European identity.