The Answer:

Today, the organization of European nations founded to promote political, economic and social co-operation across the continent, is known as the European Union.

As of 2006, there are currently 25 member states, including: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

For more information, see the home page of the European Union.

—The Editors