The European Union is the political entity, with a supranational and intergovernmental character, which includes 27 countries of the European continent as independent and democratic members.
The birth of the European Union dates back to 1992, with the Maastricht Treaty (in force since November 1, 1993) to which, subsequently, other states were added in addition to those present in the so-called birth certificate.
The Union currently consists of a free market area (known as a municipality) characterized by the circulation of the single currency.
The Euro, regulated by the policies of the European Central Bank, is the currency adopted by 17 of the 27 members of the European Union, which make up the Euro Zone, sometimes also called the Eurozone or Euroland.
The Member States of the Euro Zone are: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain.