European Union Country Cards

The cards in this pack include the 28 The cards are A5 sized – to print two European Union (EU) Member States and per sheet on A4 paper, select ‘multiple’ the five current Candidate Countries in and ‘2 pages per sheet’ in the print alphabetical order. dialogue box.

Each card indicates when a country joined the EU or states if it is a Candidate Country. Questions include the capital of each country plus a geographical, historical and cultural question. Albania Albania

Population 2.9 million Historical What led to many Albanians migrating to Italy, Greece, Candidate Country – no joining date agreed and in the 1990s ? (a) Drought Capital (b) Economic instability (a) Durres (c) Flooding (b) Tirana Answer: (a) Economic instability following the collapse of the (c) Vlore communist regime. Answer: (a) Tirana Culture Geographical What famous dessert is from Albania although other How much of this country is mountainous? countries also claim it as theirs? (a) None (a) Black Forest Gateau (b) 20% (b) Clafoutis (c) 70% (c) Baklava Answer: (c) 70% is mountainous and rugged terrain. Answer: (c) Baklava (a is German, b is French) Austria Austria

Population 8.6 million Historical What country did Austria have a joint empire with during Joined EU in 1995 the First World War? (a) Hungary Capital (b) Germany (a) Salzburg (c) Croatia (b) Vienna Answer: (a) Hungary (c) Graz Answer: (b) Vienna Culture Which composer was born in Salzburg? Geographical (a) Schubert What is the famous river that inspired a well-known (b) Beethoven piece of music? (c) Mozart (a) Danube Answer: (c) Mozart (b) Elbe (c) Rhine Answer: (a) Danube Belgium Belgium

Population 11.3 million Historical What title does the Head of State have? Joined EU in 1957 (founding member) (a) King or Queen (b) President Capital (c) Chancellor (a) Brussels Answer: (a) King or Queen (b) Bruges (c) Namur Culture Answer: (a) Brussels What shellfish is popular with fries? (a) Crab Geographical (b) Crayfish How many countries does Belgium share borders with? (c) Mussels (a) Two Answer: (c) Mussels (b) Three (c) Four Answer: (c) Four – France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands Bulgaria Bulgaria

Population 7.2 million Historical From which people did Bulgaria get its name? Joined EU in 2007 (a) Bulgars (b) Goths Capital (c) Huns (a) Pleven (d) Vandals (b) Sliven Answer: (a) Bulgars (c) Sofia Answer: (c) Sofia Culture What alphabet is used for Bulgarian? Geographical (a) Latin Which cross-roads is Bulgaria often said to be at? (b) Cyrillic (a) North and South (c) Greek (b) Old and New (Europe) Answer: (b) Cyrillic (c) East and West Answer: (c) East and West Croatia Croatia

Population 4.2 million Historical When did Croatia achieve independence from The Socialist Joined EU in 2013 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia? (a) 1996 Capital (b) 1991 (a) Rijeka (c) 2002 (b) Sisak Answer: (b) 1991 (c) Zagreb Answer: (c) Zagreb Culture What item of clothing was invented here? Geographical (a) Necktie Which of the following is a holiday resort? (b) Tights (a) Opatija (c) Beret (b) Delnice Answer: (a) Necktie (cravat) (c) Stari Grad Answer: (a) Opatija Cyprus Cyprus

Population 0.8 million Historical From which country did Cyprus gain its independence Joined EU in 2004 in 1960? (a) Greece Capital (b) Turkey (a) Nicosia (c) United Kingdom (b) Lanarca Answer: (c) United Kingdom (c) Limassol Answer: (a) Nicosia Culture What popular fast food originated in Cyprus? Geographical (a) Kebabs What Greek goddess was reputed to have her home here? (b) Fried chicken (a) Aphrodite (c) Fish and chips (b) Mnemosyne Answer: (a) Kebabs (c) Hygieia Answer: (a) Aphrodite Czech Republic Czech Republic

Population 10.5 million Historical What is the main language spoken in the Czech Republic? Joined EU in 2004 (a) Czech (b) Russia-Slavic Capital (c) Central European (a) Brno Answer: (a) Czech (b) Olomouc (c) Prague Culture Answer: (c) Prague What handy form of sugar was invented here? (a) Loaf sugar Geographical (b) Caster sugar How many coastal resorts can be enjoyed in the (c) Cube sugar Czech Republic? Answer: (c) Cube sugar (a) 17 (b) 0 (c) 112 Answer: (b) 0 (it has no coastline) Denmark Denmark

Population 5.7 million Historical What famous writer(s) of fairy stories was born Joined EU in 1973 in Denmark? (a) Brothers Grimm Capital (b) Hans Christian Andersen (a) Odense (c) Enid Slyton (b) Fredercia Answer: (b) Hans Christian Andersen (c) Copenhagen Answer: (c) Copenhagen Culture What pork product do we import the most of Geographical from Denmark? According to a popular song, what is (a) Sausages Copenhagen? (b) Bacon (a) Wonderful (c) Ham (b) Splendid Answer: (a) Bacon (c) Golden Answer: (a) Wonderful Estonia

Population 1.3 million Historical Estonia uses the Euro now but when it gained Joined EU in 2004 independence in 1990-1, with what currency did it replace the Russian Rouble? Capital (a) Hroon (a) Tartu (b) Walloon (b) Tallinn (c) Kroon (c) Pamu Answer: (c) Kroon Answer: (b) Tallinn Culture Geographical Which of these is a typical Estonian dish? What is the narrow Gulf between Estonia (a) Herring and sour cream and Finland called? (b) Bratwurst (a) Estonian Gulf (c) Bigos (b) Gulf of Finland Answer: (a) Herring and sour cream (b is German, c is Polish) (c) Finnish Gap Answer: (b) Gulf of Finland Finland Finland

Population 5.5 million Historical Why was the 1907 election important? Joined EU in 1995 (a) Had to be run again (b) Started a war Capital (c) First in Europe to give equal voting rights (a) Helsinki Answer: (c) First in Europe to give equal voting rights (b) Forssa (everyone over the age of 24 could vote) (c) Hanko Answer: (a) Helsinki Culture What hygiene habit gets Finnish people steamed up? Geographical (a) Saunas Where does Father Christmas live – supposedly? (b) Jacuzzis (a) Iceland (c) Hot Mud Baths (b) Lapland Answer: (a) Saunas (they are very popular) (c) Greenland Answer: (b) Lapland in Northern Finland Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

Population 2.1 million Historical This country became a member of the United Nations in: Candidate Country – no joining date agreed (a) 1943 (b) 1973 Capital (c) 1993 (a) Veles Answer: (c) 1993 (b) Skopje (c) Prilep Culture Answer: (b) Skopje This country is surrounded by four others; Greece, Bulgaria and Serbia are three - what is the fourth? Geographical (a) Romania This country’s name is in dispute – why? (b) Albania (a) It is hard to remember (c) Croatia (b) Gets confused with Greek Macedonia Answer: (b) Albania (c) It is too long Answer: (b) Gets confused with Greek Macedonia France France

Population 66.4 million Historical What year did the French Revolution begin? Joined EU in 1957 (founding member) (a) 1914 (b) 1615 Capital (c) 1789 (a) Paris Answer: (c) 1789 (b) Rouen (c) Limoges Culture Answer: (a) Paris What French bread name is now popular in the UK? (a) Quiche Geographical (b) Baguette What river is the capital on? (c) Bloomer (a) Rhone Answer: (b) Baguette (b) Seine (c) Avon Answer: (b) Seine Germany Germany

Population 81.2 million Historical The two parts of Germany – West and the communist East – Joined EU in 1957 (founding member) were unified in which year? (a) 1990 Capital (b) 1945 (a) (c) 2001 (b) Hannover Answer: (a) 1990 (c) Düsseldorf Answer: (a) Berlin Culture What meat product is particularly popular in Germany? Geographical (a) Stews Germany is bordered to the North by which two seas? (b) Sausages (a) North and Baltic Seas (c) Pork scratchings (b) Atlantic Ocean and North Sea Answer: (b) Sausages (c) Baltic Sea and Atlantic Ocean Answer: (a) North and Baltic Seas Greece Greece

Population 10.8 million Historical What famous sporting tradition started here? Joined EU in 1981 (a) Olympics (b) Show Jumping Capital (c) Cycling (a) Thessaloniki Answer: (a) Olympics (b) Tripoli (c) Athens Culture Answer: (c) Athens What Greek dish is mainly made from minced lamb and aubergines? Geographical (a) Houmous Who is said to have lived on Mount Olympus? (b) Moussaka (a) The Grim Reaper (c) Sausage Toad (b) The Greek Gods Answer: (b) Moussaka (c) The Spirits of Fallen Warriors Answer: (b) The Greek Gods Hungary Hungary

Population 9.8 million Historical What writing instrument was invented here? Joined EU in 2004 (a) Felt-tip (b) Ballpoint Capital (c) Stylus (a) Debrecen Answer (b) Ballpoint pen (b) Pees (called a Biro after its inventor) (c) Budapest Answer: (c) Budapest Culture What is the name of the spicy casserole that Geographical uses paprika? Lake Heviz is the largest lake of a particular type (a) Goulash in the world – what type? (b) Curry (a) Thermal (c) Spaghetti (b) Salt-water Answer: (a) Goulash (c) Inland Answer: (a) Thermal Ireland Ireland

Population 4.6 million Historical In which year was the Easter Rising? Joined EU in 1973 (a) 1916 (b) 1414 Capital (c) 1954 (a) Cork Answer: (a) 1916 (b) Dublin (it was a pivotal attempt by Irish Republicans to end (c) Wexford British Rule) Answer: (b) Dublin Culture Geographical What are the Irish fairies who are said to guard pots What river is the capital on? of gold called? (a) Dargie (a) Hobgoblins (b) Liffey (b) Trolls (c) Blackwater (c) Leprechauns Answer: (b) Liffey Answer: (c) Leprechauns Italy Italy

Population 60.8 million Historical Who was the Italian leader whose followers Joined EU in 1957 (founding member) wore red shirts? (a) Grimaldi Capital (b) Garibaldi (a) Milan (c) Pinocchio (b) Florence Answer: (b) Garibaldi (c) Rome Answer: (c) Rome Culture What food product that comes in many shapes Geographical and sizes is famously associated with Italy? What independent City State is surrounded by Rome? (a) Risotto (a) Vatican (b) Pasta (b) Pisa (c) Pizza (c) Basilica Answer: (b) Pasta Answer: (a) Vatican Latvia

Population 2 million Historical When did Latvia first become independent from Russia? Joined EU in 2004 (a) 1452 (b) 1819 Capital (c) 1918 (a) Liepaja Answer: (c) 1918 (b) Skrund (c) Culture Answer: (c) Riga What did Latvian Walter Zapp invent? (a) Spy camera Geographical (b) Finger printing In ancient times Latvia was famous for what (c) DNA test precious stone? Answer: (a) He invented the miniature camera in 1936 (a) Amber (b) Ruby (c) Opal Answer: (a) Amber Lithuania Lithuania

Population 2.9 million Historical By the end of the 14th century what marked Lithuania Joined EU in 2004 as being very special in Europe? (a) Largest country in Europe Capital (b) Most warlike country (a) Jonava (c) Biggest trading nation (b) Vilnius Answer: (a) Largest country in Europe (c) Palanga Answer: (b) Vilnius Culture What other country’s national anthem also Geographical mentions Lithuania? Lithuania encloses a piece of land belonging (a) Russia to another country – which other country? (b) Poland (a) Poland (c) Germany (b) Latvia Answer: (b) Poland (c) Russia Answer: (c) Russia (the Kaliningrad Oblast) Luxembourg Luxembourg

Population 0.6 million Historical Which country occupied Luxembourg during Joined EU in 1957 (founding member) World Wars One and Two? (a) France Capital (b) Germany (a) Luxembourg (c) Russia (b) Esch Answer: (b) Germany (c) Differdange Answer: (a) Luxembourg Culture The citizens of Luxembourg enjoy what? Geographical (a) Highest standard of living in Europe Which of these describes Luxembourg? (b) Warm weather all year round (a) Huge (c) Longest life expectancy in Europe (b) Tiny Answer: (a) Highest standard of living in Europe (c) Island Answer: (b) Tiny Malta Malta

Population 0.4 million Historical Malta is often written Malta G.C. – what does the Joined EU in 2004 G.C. stand for? (a) Gallant Country Capital (b) George Cross (a) Rabat (c) Cross for Gallantry (b) Valletta Answer: (b) George Cross (c) Marsaxlokk (awarded George Cross for bravery in World War II) Answer: (b) Valletta Culture Geographical Which medical organisation uses a Maltese cross What sea surrounds it? as its badge? (a) Mediterranean (a) Red Cross (b) Pacific (b) St John Ambulance Brigade (c) Adriatic (c) Medecins Sans Frontieres Answer: (a) Mediterranean Answer: (b) St John Ambulance Brigade Montenegro Montenegro

Population 0.6 million Historical In a 1992 referendum which country did Montenegro Candidate Country – no joining date agreed join to form the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia? (a) Serbia Capital (b) Bosnia (a) Budva (c) Yugoslavia (b) Podgorica Answer: (a) Serbia (c) Herceg-Novi Answer: (b) Podgorica Culture What ethical idea is central to Montenegrin culture? Geographical (a) Democracy and justice How many regions does Montenegro have? (b) Fairness and forgiveness (a) Six (c) Humanity and bravery (b) Three Answer: (c) Humanity and bravery (c) Eight Answer: (b) Three – central, coastal, mountain Netherlands Netherlands

Population 16.9 million Historical Historically, what mechanical device was used to pump Joined EU in 1957 (founding member) out water to recover land? (a) Windmill Capital (b) Bucket (a) The Hague (c) Nuclear Pump (b) Amsterdam Answer: (a) Windmill (c) Utrecht Answer: (b) Amsterdam Culture What cheese from this country is yellow, ball-shaped Geographical and has a red covering? Why are bicycles so popular in the Netherlands? (a) Edam (a) High tax on vehicle fuels (b) Gouda (b) It is mostly flat (c) Gorgonzola (c) Global warming Answer: (a) Edam Answer: (b) It is mostly flat Poland Poland

Population 38 million Historical When invaded Poland in 1939, Joined EU in 2004 what other country also invaded? (a) England Capital (b) Soviet Russia (a) Krakow (c) USA (b) Poznan Answer: (b) Soviet Russia (c) Warsaw Answer: (c) Warsaw Culture What is ‘kielbasa’? Geographical (a) Spiced drink What are the main mountains? (b) Small coin (a) Tatra (c) Sausage (b) Atlas Answer: (c) Sausage (c) Pennines Answer: (a) Tatra Portugal Portugal

Population 10.4 million Historical Which side was Portugal on in the Second World War? Joined EU in 1986 (a) Neutral (b) Germany Capital (c) United Kingdom (a) Porto Answer: (a) Neutral (b) Lisbon (c) Faro Culture Answer: (b) Lisbon The drink port takes its name from Portugal – how? (a) The country name Geographical (b) A district What is the name of its popular holiday region? (c) A river (a) Costa del Sol Answer: (b) A district (Porto or Oporto) (b) Castelo Branco (c) Algarve Answer: (c) Algarve Romania Romania

Population 19.9 million Historical Historically, Bucharest was nicknamed after another Joined EU in 2007 major European capital as Little…? (a) Little London Capital (b) Little Paris (a) Bucharest (c) Little Vienna (b) Brasov Answer: (b) Little Paris (c) Arad Answer: (a) Bucharest Culture Who is the famous horror character originating Geographical from Romania? What sea forms its coast? (a) Dracula (a) North Sea (b) Frankenstein (b) Mediterranean Sea (c) Lucifer (c) Black Sea Answer: (a) Dracula Answer: (c) Black Sea Serbia Serbia

Population 7.1 million Historical During World War I how many Serbian men were Candidate Country – no joining date agreed called to arms? (a) 185,000 Capital (b) 275,000 (a) Belgrade (c) 350,000 (b) Novi Sad Answer: (c) 350,000 – Serbia had the most effective (c) Zemun manpower mobilisation of the war. Answer: (a) Belgrade Culture Geographical What is the Slava? Serbia is landlocked but which river provides shipping (a) A Serbian custom of venerating each family’s access to inland Europe and the Black Sea? patron saint on their feast day (a) The Danube (b) A type of Serbian bread (b) The Ural (c) A song sung at Christmas (c) The Tiber Answer: (a) A custom Answer: (a) The Danube Slovakia Slovakia

Population 5.4 million Historical What was the Velvet Divorce of 1 Jan ‘93? Joined EU in 2004 (a) A separation of Czech and Slovak Republics (b) Separation of Church and State Capital (c) Divorce was made legal (a) Bratislava Answer: (a) A separation of Czech and Slovak Republics (b) Nitra (they were one country) (c) Martin Answer: (a) Bratislava Culture What is the Slovak national weapon? Geographical (a) Pike What mountain range extends across most of the (b) Axe North of the country? (c) Cross bow (a) Atlas Answer: (b) Axe (b) Tatra (Valaška - an axe on a long handle often used as a walking stick) (c) Carpathian Answer: (c) Carpathian Slovenia Slovenia

Population 2.1 million Historical In what year was Slovenia formally invited to begin Joined EU in 2004 the process for joining the European Union (the accession process)? Capital (a) 1981 (a) Novo Mesto (b) 1997 (b) Ljubljana (c) 2000 (c) Valenje Answer: (c) 2000 Answer: (b) Ljubljana Culture Geographical What is the majority religion? What sea borders Slovenia? (a) Anglican (a) Irish (b) Eastern Orthodox (b) Adriatic (c) Roman Catholic (c) Mediterranean Answer: (c) Roman Catholic Answer: (b) Adriatic Spain Spain

Population 46.4 million Historical When was the Spanish Civil War? Joined EU in 1986 (a) 1936-1939 (b) 1927-1932 Capital (c) 1939-1945 (a) Madrid Answer: (a) 1936-1939 (b) Valencia (c) Seville Culture Answer: (a) Madrid What dance is famously associated with Spain? (a) Rhumba Geographical (b) Flamenco Spain is the largest of the three countries of the (c) Samba Iberian Peninsula - what are the other two? Answer: (b) Flamenco (a) Portugal, France (b) Andorra, France (c) Portugal, Andorra Answer: (c) Portugal, Andorra Sweden Sweden

Population 9.7 million Historical Where did Swedish Vikings mostly raid? Joined EU in 1995 (a) Russia (b) England Capital (c) Germany (a) Halmstad Answer: (a) Russia (b) Jonkoping (c) Stockholm Culture Answer: (c) Stockholm What was the famous Swedish pop group of the 1970s called? Geographical (a) The Kinks What animal do the Sarni people (b) Abba of Northern Sweden rely on? (c) Lars (a) Giant snow rats Answer: (b) Abba (b) Reindeer (c) Husky dogs Answer: (b) Reindeer Turkey Turkey

Population 77.7 million Historical What was the Turkish Empire called? Candidate Country – no joining date agreed (a) Turkile Empire (b) Ottoman Empire Capital (c) Constantinian Empire (a) Ankara Answer: (b) Ottoman Empire (b) Istanbul (c) Bursa Culture Answer: (a) Ankara Turkish coffee is traditionally served with a glass of water, how do you drink the coffee? Geographical (a) Slowly What was the city of Istanbul once called? (b) Down it in one (a) Timbuktu (c) Slurp it (b) Atlanta Answer: (a) Slowly (c) Constantinople Answer: (c) Constantinople United Kingdom United Kingdom

Population 64.8 million Historical When did the United Kingdom, including Ireland, Joined EU in 1973 first come into being? (a) 1603 Capital (b) 1952 (a) Swansea (c) 1801 (b) London Answer: (c) 1801 (c) John O’ Groats Answer: (b) London Culture How many official languages are there in the UK? Geographical (a) 4 What four nations constitute the UK? (b) 2 (a) England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland (c) 7 (b) England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Answer: (a) 4 (English, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic) (c) England, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man Answer: (b) England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland