All you need to know about the EU And The Euro
The current flag of the United Kingdom dates from the Act of Union 1800, which merged the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. The 'Union Jack' merges the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England), edged in white, superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which are superimposed on the saltire of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland). The flag of Wales, the other country of the United Kingdom, is not graphically represented.
Status: The United Kingdom has not introduced the euro. The EU Treaty gives the United Kingdom the right to remain outside the euro area, even when all convergence criteria are met (opt-out). The pound sterling is not included in the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM II).
Exchange rate: The current euro to pound sterling foreign exchange reference rate can be consulted on the website of the European Central Bank (updated daily).
Surface: 244 100 km2
Population: 61 612 255 (Eurostat 2009)
Joined the European Union: 1 January 1973
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
The United Kingdom joined the European Union in 1973. It has negotiated an 'opt-out' from the euro and is thus not obliged to introduce it.
