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Schengen Area
The Schengen Area ( , ) encompasses European countries that have officially abolished border controls at their common borders. As an element within the wider area of freedom, security and justice (AFSJ) policy of the European Union (EU), it mostly functions as a single jurisdiction under a common visa policy for international travel purposes. The area is named after the 1985 Schengen Agreement and the 1990 Schengen Convention, both signed in Schengen, Luxembourg. Of the 27 EU member states, 25 are members of the Schengen Area. Cyprus and Ireland are the only EU member states that are not part of the Schengen Area. Cyprus aims to become part of the Schengen Area by 2026. The country is committed by treaty to join in the future, but its participation has been complicated due to the occupation of Northern Cyprus by Turkey since 1974. Ireland maintains an opt-out and operates its own visa policy. In addition to the member states of the European Union, all member states o ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Open Border
An open border is a border that enables Freedom of movement, free movement of people and often of goods between jurisdictions with no restrictions on movement and is lacking a border control. A border may be an open border due to intentional legislation allowing free movement of people across the border (''de jure''), or a border may be an open border due to a lack of legal controls, a lack of adequate enforcement or adequate supervision of the border (''de facto''). An example of the former is the Schengen Agreement between most members of the European Economic Area (European Free Trade Area, EFTA and the European Union, EU). An example of the latter has been the Bangladesh-India border, border between Bangladesh and India, which is becoming controlled. The term "open borders" applies only to the flow of people, not the flow of goods and services, and only to borders between political jurisdictions, not to mere boundaries of privately owned property. Open borders are the norm fo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
European Free Trade Association
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is a regional trade organization and free trade area consisting of four List of sovereign states and dependent territories in Europe, European states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The organization operates in parallel with the European Union (EU), and all four member states participate in the European single market and are part of the Schengen Area. They are not, however, party to the European Union Customs Union. EFTA was historically one of the two dominant western European trade blocs, but is now much smaller and closely associated with its historical competitor, the European Union. It was established on 3 May 1960 to serve as an alternative trade bloc for those European states that were unable or unwilling to join the then European Economic Community (EEC), the main predecessor of the EU. The Stockholm Convention (1960), to establish the EFTA, was signed on 4 January 1960 in the Swedish capital by seven countrie ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting took place mainly in European theatre of World War I, Europe and the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I, Middle East, as well as in parts of African theatre of World War I, Africa and the Asian and Pacific theatre of World War I, Asia-Pacific, and in Europe was characterised by trench warfare; the widespread use of Artillery of World War I, artillery, machine guns, and Chemical weapons in World War I, chemical weapons (gas); and the introductions of Tanks in World War I, tanks and Aviation in World War I, aircraft. World War I was one of the List of wars by death toll, deadliest conflicts in history, resulting in an estimated World War I casualties, 10 million military dead and more than 20 million wounded, plus some 10 million civilian de ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Economist
''The Economist'' is a British newspaper published weekly in printed magazine format and daily on Electronic publishing, digital platforms. It publishes stories on topics that include economics, business, geopolitics, technology and culture. Mostly written and edited in London, it has other editorial offices in the United States and in major cities in continental Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The newspaper has a prominent focus on data journalism and interpretive analysis over News media, original reporting, to both criticism and acclaim. Founded in 1843, ''The Economist'' was first circulated by Scottish economist James Wilson (businessman), James Wilson to muster support for abolishing the British Corn Laws (1815–1846), a system of import tariffs. Over time, the newspaper's coverage expanded further into political economy and eventually began running articles on current events, finance, commerce, and British politics. Throughout the mid-to-late 20th century, it greatl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Vatican City
Vatican City, officially the Vatican City State (; ), is a Landlocked country, landlocked sovereign state and city-state; it is enclaved within Rome, the capital city of Italy and Bishop of Rome, seat of the Catholic Church. It became independent from the Kingdom of Italy in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty. It is governed by the Holy See, itself a Legal status of the Holy See, sovereign entity under international law, which maintains Temporal power of the Holy See, its temporal power, governance, diplomacy, and spiritual independence. ''Vatican'' is also used as a metonym for the pope, the central authority of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Holy See and the Roman Curia. With an area of and a population of about 882 in 2024, it is the List of countries and dependencies by area, smallest sovereign state in the world both by area and List of countries and dependencies by population, by population. It is among the List of national capitals by population, least populated capit ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
San Marino
San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino, is a landlocked country in Southern Europe, completely surrounded by Italy. Located on the northeastern slopes of the Apennine Mountains, it is the larger of two European microstates, microstates within Italy, the other being Vatican City. San Marino is the List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-smallest country in the world, with a land area of just over and a population of 34,042 as of 2025. Its capital, the City of San Marino, sits atop Monte Titano, while its largest settlement is Dogana, in the municipality of Serravalle, San Marino, Serravalle. Founded according to myth in 301 AD, San Marino claims to be the oldest extant sovereign state and the oldest constitutional republic. It is named after Saint Marinus, a legendary Stonemasonry, stonemason from the Roman Empire, Roman island of Rab (island), Rab (in present-day Croatia), who is supposed to have established a monastic community on Monte Titano. The countr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Monaco
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a Sovereign state, sovereign city-state and European microstates, microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Regions of Italy, Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is a Enclave and exclave, semi-enclave bordered by France to the north, east and west. The principality is home to nearly 39,000 residents as of the 2020s, of whom about 9,883 are Monégasque people, Monégasque nationals. It is recognised as one of the wealthiest and most expensive places in the world. The official language of Monaco is French language, French. Monégasque dialect, Monégasque, English language, English and Italian language, Italian are also spoken and understood by many residents. With an area of , Monaco is the List of countries and dependencies by area, second-smallest sovereign state in the world, after Vatican City. Its population of 38,423 in 2024 makes it the List of countries by popula ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
German Ministry Of Foreign Affairs
The Federal Foreign Office (, ; abbreviated AA) is the foreign ministry of the Federal Republic of Germany, a federal agency responsible for both the country's foreign policy and its relationship with the European Union. It is a cabinet-level ministry. Since December 2021, Annalena Baerbock has served as Foreign Minister, succeeding Heiko Maas. The primary seat of the ministry is at the ' square in the Mitte district, the historic centre of Berlin. The term was the name of the Foreign Office established in 1870 by the North German Confederation, which then became the German Empire's Foreign Office in 1871. It is still the name of the German foreign ministry today. From 1871 to 1919, the Foreign Office was led by a Foreign Secretary, and since 1919, it has been led by the Foreign Minister of Germany. History Early years Foundation The was established in 1870 to form the foreign policy of the North German Confederation, and from 1871 of the German Empire. The Foreign Offi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Andorra
Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, is a Sovereignty, sovereign landlocked country on the Iberian Peninsula, in the eastern Pyrenees in Southwestern Europe, Andorra–France border, bordered by France to the north and Spain to Andorra–Spain border, the south. Believed to have been created by Charlemagne, Andorra was ruled by the Counts of Urgell, count of Urgell until 988, when it was transferred to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urgell. The present principality was formed by Paréage of Andorra 1278, a charter in 1278. It is currently headed by two co-princes: the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urgell, Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia, Spain, and the president of France. Its capital and largest city is Andorra la Vella. Andorra is the European microstates, fifth-smallest state in Europe, with an area of and a population of approximately 87,486. The Andorran people are a Italic peoples, Romance ethnic group closely related to Catalans. Andorra is the world's List of co ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Microstates And The European Union
Currently, all of the European microstates have some form of relations with the European Union (EU). Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City remain outside the Union. Andorra is, by population, the largest of the five microstates with around 85,500 citizens according to a 2022 estimate. Two other small countries, Luxembourg and Malta, are full members of the EU and both inhabited by populations over 600,000 and over 500,000 respectively. Status of relations Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City use the euro International status and usage of the euro#Sovereign states, through monetary agreements with the EU, and have been granted the right to issue a limited number of euro coins. They were allowed to do so as they had used or been tied to the old eurozone currencies. Liechtenstein, on the other hand, uses the Swiss franc. Liechtenstein is a full member in its own right of the Schengen Agreement, European Free Trade Association (EFTA ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Switzerland
Switzerland, officially the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in west-central Europe. It is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland is geographically divided among the Swiss Plateau, the Swiss Alps, Alps and the Jura Mountains, Jura; the Alps occupy the greater part of the territory, whereas most of the country's Demographics of Switzerland, 9 million people are concentrated on the plateau, which hosts List of cities in Switzerland, its largest cities and economic centres, including Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne. Switzerland is a federal republic composed of Cantons of Switzerland, 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern. It has four main linguistic and cultural regions: German, French, Italian and Romansh language, Romansh. Although most Swiss are German-speaking, national identity is fairly cohesive, being rooted in a common historical background, shared ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
