Europe's Most Interesting(To Me...)
Ireland, Spain, The United Kingdom
Ireland, Spain, and England
These countries have always seemed like fairy tales to me, far away people with accents and romantic histories. They probably 3 of Europe's best known countries, and have existed for thousands of years longer than our United States. As such they have rich and dramatic histories, but the present is more important than the past, and they are currently some of the world's more powerful and stable countries . I will give you a brief description of these beautiful countries.
Ireland
Government and Economy
Ireland is a parliamentary democracy, and their current president is Michael D. Higgins. Ireland officially became a member of the EU in 1973, after a long struggle with peace in the north. They have a population of 4,775,982 with a GDP per capita of $40,700. The overall GDP is $208 billion, and as is most of the world, they are struggling with economic troubles. As do many European countries, Ireland uses the euro. The current rate of Euro to Dollar is 1:1.36. Their GDP is 46% services, 26% manufacturing, and 24% distribution, transport and communication.
People and History
With a population of 4,775,982, Ireland has a dense population for a country of 70,273 sq km. The majority of those people speak English or Gaelic, and 87.4% of them are Roman Catholics. These people have most definitely gone through their trials, from being ruled harshly by the British, to the potato famine. Theirs ancestral foods include: Irish Stew, Boxty, Coddle and Colcannon. I don't have the slightest idea what any of those taste like, nor do I plan to try them...
Spain
Government and Economy
Spain has a parliamentary monarchy, but for the past hundred years they have had rapid changes in styles of government and leaders. They went through a civil war from 1936-39. There after they were ruled by dictator Francisco Franco until his death. They became a member of the EU in 1986. Their economy as most is suffering from the global depression. Their GDP is $1.306 trillion, and the GDP per capita is $30,100. They use the Euro as do most European countries; the current rate of dollar to euro is 1.36:1. Their GDP is comprised mostly of services and industry, the mark of a developed country.
People and History
Spain has an enormous population for a country their size. 505,307 sq km contains 47,370,542 people! And they are a people with a long and distinguished history. They discovered America, cast the Spanish Inquisition and overthrew the moors. As is implied from the name, Spanish is the main language, and as is expected after the inquisitions, 94% of Spain is Roman Catholic. One of the most famous pieces of Spanish literature is Don Quixote. Spaniards (apparently) enjoy various tapas, chorizo, and ham to eat.
United Kingdom
Government and Economy
As the UK is not just one kingdom it complicated government, but it is ultimately a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth the 2nd at the tiller. They are an influential member of the EU. Its economy, like all others, is going through a depression. The GDP is $2.443 trillion with a GDP per capita of $36,000. Unlike most other European countries, the UK uses the pound for currency, whose current rate of pounds to dollars is 1: 1.6371. Their economy is dominated by services and industry, like most developed countries.
People and History
At 63,395,574 people, the UK is a pretty good sized country. Its people are known around the world for their royalty and their accents, as well as their literature and music. But they have been through their own share of hardships too. They were at the front line of WW1 and WW2, and have fought among themselves so much over the years that the conflicts are without number. They like to eat steak and kidney pie, bangers and mash, as well as the classic fish and chips.