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Question 17 of 72 · World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies
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The European Union (EU) was formally established in:

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Answer: Option C — 1993

Detailed Solution

The European Union (EU) was formally established on 1 November 1993, when the Maastricht Treaty (Treaty on European Union) came into force.

About the Maastricht Treaty:

  • It was signed on 7 February 1992 in Maastricht, Netherlands, by 12 countries.
  • It created the European Union and introduced "European citizenship".
  • It laid the foundation for the single currency, the euro.
  • It set up the EU's "three pillars": the European Communities, a Common Foreign and Security Policy, and cooperation in Justice and Home Affairs.

History of European integration:

  • 1951: Treaty of Paris created the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), with six members: Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
  • 1957: Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC, the "Common Market") and Euratom; came into force in 1958.
  • 1973: The UK, Ireland and Denmark joined.
  • 1985: Schengen Agreement for free movement without border checks.
  • 1993: EU established (Maastricht Treaty).
  • 1999: Euro introduced as an electronic currency; notes and coins in 2002.
  • 2009: Lisbon Treaty came into force; it created the post of a permanent President of the European Council.
  • 2012: The EU received the Nobel Peace Prize.
  • 2013: Croatia joined, making 28 members.

2020: The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 ("Brexit"), after a referendum in 2016. The EU now has 27 members.

About the EU today:

  • Most of its main institutions are based in Brussels.
  • The euro is used by 21 of the 27 member countries (the "eurozone"), after Bulgaria adopted it on 1 January 2026.
  • Its flag has a circle of 12 gold stars on a blue background.
  • Its anthem is "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.
  • Its motto is "United in Diversity".
  • "Europe Day" is celebrated on 9 May, the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration (1950).

Why not the other options?

  • ✗1957 is the year of the Treaty of Rome, which created the European Economic Community.
  • ✗1999 is the year the euro was introduced.
  • ✗2009 is the year the Lisbon Treaty came into force.

Quick tip

Remember: European Union = 1 November 1993 (Maastricht Treaty, signed 1992); EEC = Treaty of Rome 1957; euro = 1999 (cash 2002); Lisbon Treaty = 2009; Brexit = 31 January 2020; 27 members; Europe Day = 9 May.

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World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of World GK: Countries, Capitals & Currencies, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers world GK: countries with their capitals, currencies and parliaments, national symbols, famous landmarks, the longest, largest and highest features of the world, and international boundary lines such as the Radcliffe, McMahon and Durand Lines. The most common questions match a country with its capital or currency, or a parliament with its name (such as the Knesset of Israel or the Diet of Japan). Revise countries continent by continent, giving extra attention to India's neighbours. Questions on boundary lines usually ask which two countries a line separates. Practise the world GK questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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