Science fiction has made particular use of the idea: Incompetence, a dystopian novel by Red Dwarf creator Rob Grant, is a murder mystery political thriller set in a federated Europe of the near future, where stupidity is a constitutionally protected right. References to a European Alliance or European Hegemony have also existed in episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994). In the Spy High series of books for young adults, written by A. J. Butcher and set around the 2060s, a united Europe exists in the form of "Europa", and Andrew Roberts's 1995 book The Aachen Memorandum details a United States of Europe formed from a fraudulent referendum entitled the Aachen Referendum. [56] In the anime series Code Geass, the EU (short for Euro Universe or Europia United), also known as the United Republic of Europia, is one of the three superpowers that dominate the Earth militarily, politically, culturally and economically. The political worldbuilding of the series partially resembles that of George Orwell's Nineteen-Eighty-Four, with three superstates in roughly the same geographic positions controlling the world. Gundam 00 anime series featured the Advanced European Union (AEU) as one of the major power blocs while in Gundam SEED the Eurasian Union includes both European Union and post-soviet territories. An estimated 747 million people live in Europe. The most populous country in Europe is the European part of Russia with a population of 110 million people, followed by Germany with 83 million citizens, and Metropolitan France with 67 million inhabitants (in 2020). D. Weigall and P. Stirk, editors, The Origins and Development of the European Community, Leicester: Leicester University Press, 1992, pp.11–15. Main articles: Geography of the United Kingdom, Fauna of Great Britain, and Flora of Great Britain and Ireland Satellite image of the United Kingdom (excluding Shetland)

Phillips, D.; Ertl, Hubert (30 June 2003). Implementing European Union Education and Training Policy: A Comparative Study of Issues in Four Member States. p.44. ISBN 978-1-4020-1292-1. Various versions of the concept have developed over the centuries, many of which are mutually incompatible (inclusion or exclusion of the United Kingdom, secular or religious union, etc.). Such proposals include those from Bohemian King George of Poděbrady in 1464; [4] Duc de Sully of France in the seventeenth century; [5] and the plan of William Penn, the Quaker founder of Pennsylvania, for the establishment of a "European Dyet, Parliament or Estates". [6] George Washington also allegedly voiced support for a "United States of Europe", [7] although the authenticity of this statement has been questioned. [8] 19th century [ edit ]

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

After the defeat of France at the end of the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars (1792–1815), the United Kingdom emerged as the principal naval and imperial power (with London the largest city in the world from about 1830). [78] Unchallenged at sea, British dominance was later described as Pax Britannica ("British Peace"), a period of relative peace among the Great Powers (1815–1914) during which the British Empire became the global hegemon and adopted the role of global policeman. [79] By the time of the Great Exhibition of 1851, Britain was described as the "workshop of the world". [80] From 1853 to 1856, Britain took part in the Crimean War, allied with the Ottoman Empire against Tsarist Russia, [81] participating in the naval battles of the Baltic Sea known as the Åland War in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, among others. [82] Following the Indian Rebellion in 1857, the British government led by Lord Palmerston assumed direct rule over India. Alongside the formal control it exerted over its own colonies, British dominance of much of world trade meant that it effectively controlled the economies of regions such as East Asia and Latin America. [83] Victoria reigned as Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India during the 19th century. The Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi said in 2014 that under his leadership Italy would use its six-month-long presidency of the European Union to push for the establishment of a United States of Europe. [40] Martin Schulz [ edit ] Internationale Paneuropa Union – Union Paneuropeénne Internationale – International Paneuropean Union". Archived from the original on 15 February 2013 . Retrieved 15 February 2013.

Main articles: Postwar Britain (1945–1979) and Social history of Postwar Britain (1945–1979) The British Empire at its territorial peak in 1921 Main articles: History of the United Kingdom, Acts of Union (1800), and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland In the immediate post-war years, the Labour government under Clement Attlee initiated a radical programme of reforms, which significantly impacted British society in the following decades. [105] Major industries and public utilities were nationalised, a welfare state was established, and a comprehensive, publicly funded healthcare system, the National Health Service, was created. [106] The rise of nationalism in the colonies coincided with Britain's much-diminished economic position, so that a policy of decolonisation was unavoidable. Independence was granted to India and Pakistan in 1947. [107] Over the next three decades, most colonies of the British Empire gained their independence, and many became members of the Commonwealth of Nations. [108] Concorde was a supersonic airliner that reduced transatlantic flight time from 8 hours to 3.5 hours. [109] Centre Virtuel de la Connaissance sur l'Europe– Research organisation maintaining a digital library on European integration In 1066, the Normans invaded England from northern France. After conquering England, they seized large parts of Wales, conquered much of Ireland and were invited to settle in Scotland, bringing to each country feudalism on the Northern French model and Norman-French culture. [59] The Anglo-Norman ruling class greatly influenced, but eventually assimilated with, the local cultures. [60] Subsequent medieval English kings completed the conquest of Wales and tried unsuccessfully to annex Scotland. Asserting its independence in the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland maintained its independence thereafter, albeit in near-constant conflict with England.Until the 19th century there was little change to those arrangements, but there has since been a constant evolution of role and function. [187] National annual estimate "Economic and Financial Data For Malta". nso.gov.mt . Retrieved 2022-09-10. Whether this is your first or second time traveling from the US to Europe, some extra tips for the trip are always handy. Listed and explained below, find some of the top tips for US citizens traveling to Europe, that will make your traveling easier and more pleasant. Travel Off-Season

In 1941, the Italian anti-fascists Altiero Spinelli and Ernesto Rossi finished writing the Ventotene Manifesto, encouraging a federation of European states. [23] Vanessa Conze: Das Europa der Deutschen; Ideen von Europa in Deutschland zwischen Reichstradition und Westorientierung (1920–1970); Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag; 2005; ISBN 978-3-486-57757-0.The average total annual sunshine in the United Kingdom is 1339.7 hours, which is just under 30% of the maximum possible. [147] The hours of sunshine vary from 1200 to about 1580 hours per year, and since 1996 the UK has been and still is receiving above the 1981 to 2010 average hours of sunshine. [148] The prevailing wind is from the southwest and bears frequent spells of mild and wet weather from the Atlantic Ocean, [137] although the eastern parts are mostly sheltered from this wind. Since the majority of the rain falls over the western regions, the eastern parts are the driest. Atlantic currents, warmed by the Gulf Stream, bring mild winters, especially in the west where winters are wet and even more so over high ground. Summers are warmest in the southeast of England and coolest in the north. Heavy snowfall can occur in winter and early spring on high ground, and occasionally settles to great depth away from the hills. [146] Main articles: History of England, History of Wales, History of Scotland, and History of Ireland Stonehenge in Wiltshire is a ring of stones, each about 4m (13ft) high, 2m (7ft) wide and 25 tonnes, erected 2400–2200BC. Main articles: History of the United Kingdom during the First World War, Partition of Ireland, Interwar Britain, United Kingdom home front during the Second World War, and Military history of the United Kingdom during World War II Wreaths being laid during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London

US residents coming from countries that have established visa-free regimes with the EU do not need to obtain a visa to enter Europe.Roberts, Andrew (1995). The Aachen Memorandum. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson. ISBN 978-0-297-81619-5 For general elections (elections to the House of Commons), the UK is currently divided into 650 constituencies, each of which is represented by one member of Parliament (MP) elected by the first-past-the-post system. [172] MPs hold office for up to five years and must then stand for re-election if they wish to continue to be an MP. [172] The Conservative Party, colloquially known as the Tory Party or the Tories, and the Labour Party have been the dominant political parties in the UK since the 1920s, leading to the UK being described as a two-party system. However, since the 1920s other political parties have won seats in the House of Commons, although never more than the Conservatives or Labour. [173] Total population, both sexes combined (thousands)". UNdata. United Nations Statistics Division. 17 June 2019 . Retrieved 30 July 2019. Although the monarchy was restored, the Interregnum along with the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the subsequent Bill of Rights 1689 in England and Claim of Right Act 1689 in Scotland ensured that, unlike much of the rest of Europe, royal absolutism would not prevail, and a professed Catholic could never accede to the throne. The British constitution would develop on the basis of constitutional monarchy and the parliamentary system. [69] With the founding of the Royal Society in 1660, science was greatly encouraged. During this period, particularly in England, the development of naval power and the interest in voyages of discovery led to the acquisition and settlement of overseas colonies, particularly in North America and the Caribbean. [70]