| Common Name: | Europe |
| Official Name: | Union of Europe |
| Location: | North-western Eurasia |
| Area: | 8,546,301 square kilometres |
| Population: | 386,233,041 (census of 2052) |
| Capital: | Brussels |
| Government Type: | Parliamentary Republic |
| Head of Gov't: | President Moritz Mohr, Prime Minister Seppo Rautinnen |
| Ruling Party: | Coalition of Social Democratic Party and European Front |
| Next Elections: | 2060, 2065 |
| Official Languages: | English, French, German, Italian; over 40 other languages also in use |
| Official Religion: | none |
| Membership: | United Nations, World Security Committee (permanent),
B-6, NATO |
The Union of Europe evolved from the trade agreements and treaties of the second half of the twentieth century, though final political union did not come until 2010. The membership of the Union has grown steadily since, and now includes every European nation except Russia and the states of the Caucasus.
Europe was one of the regions most heavily affected during the War years, and many areas are still recovering. During the early days of the War, there was a mass migration, called variously a movement of refugees or an invasion (depending on which history one reads) from North African and Middle Eastern nations into the EU. The EU reacted with panic, and heavy fighting ensued along Europe¡¯s south coast. Many historic southern European cities, especially in Spain, France, Italy and the Balkans, were partially destroyed by aerial bombardment. Since that time, there has been a strong chauvinist, anti-foreign current in European culture.
Nevertheless, Europe wields considerable power on the world stage, and is perhaps the most active permanent member of the World Security Committee.
The member states of the Union have a high degree of self-government, far more, for example, than the states of the USA. European citizens enjoy great political freedom, though the average standard of living is not what it was before the War.
The current UN structure, which was developed in part with the aim of punishing the North for the excesses of the twentieth century, leaves Europe under-represented at the world level and has led to a growing resentment among Europeans.
Current issues facing Europe are the possible extension of membership to the Caucasus nations, the continuing influx of refugees from African and Middle Eastern nations, and the balance between the powers of member states and the Union government.
Source: The 2057 Real World Almanac, UNOCA Press, The Hague, 2058.