what is eu

The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states primarily located in Europe. It has a total area of 4,233,255 km² and an estimated population of over 448 million. The EU was founded to ensure lasting peace on the European continent after World War II and has evolved from an economic union to a political union as well. It is a unique partnership between European countries, with each member state giving up some political and economic authority in exchange for benefits such as a single European market. The EU is known for its open and fair trade policies, and it aims to strike a balance between being open and ensuring that people and companies are protected. The organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for its efforts to promote peace and democracy in Europe.