Poland and the European Union
France
Spain
Ireland
Germany
Lithuania
Hungary
UK
Poland
Sweden
Italy
A nation with a proud cultural heritage, its roots go back over 1,000 years. Located at the centre of Europe, it has known turbulent and violent times. It has become one of the major destinations for travellers. Tourists can visit many old cities and enjoy the wild scenery of its national parks and nature reserves.
It is the continent's most industrialised and populous country. Famous for its technological achievements, it has also produced some of Europe's most famous composers, philosophers and poets.
It is the world's number one tourist destination, especially its capital city. There are 365 kinds of cheese and probably as many different types of wine. It is also the biggest EU member.
Situated at the crossroads of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, Europe and Africa, the country is rich in history and natural beauty and has a lot of sunshine. It is a natural choice for many different kinds of holiday, from outdoor adventures to world-class museums and art galleries to a great variety of popular beaches and quiet lagoons.
With stunning landscapes it's a great place for holidays and over the centuries the country has accumulated great treasures of art, opera, cinema, architecture that make it famous all over Europe and in the world.
It is a land of cultural contrast as you move from its southwest end to the wild Arctic north. It's one of the world's most highly developed post-industrial societies. Unemployment is low and the economy strong.
Despite its relatively small size, it is one of the most culturally diverse countries on Earth: it consists of 4 main 'native' nationalities, plus immigrants from all over the world. Its capital is a global financial centre.
It is a land of castles, lakes and forests. Its landscape consists of big plains divided by hills and sand dunes along the Baltic shore. Its capital is one of Europe's most charming cities, especially because of its Baroque old town.
Visitors often repeat the clichés: it is the greenest country, full of the friendliest people, who love spending time in pubs. Although it's a small nation, it has produced four Nobel prize winners for Literature.
This small country is unique for its language, culture and ability to survive. The country and its people have been true to their heritage despite Mongol invasion in the 13th century, Turkish occupation in the 16th and 17th centuries, Austrian rule in the 18th and early 19th centuries, and communist domination in the mid 20th century.
based on www.worldtravelguide.net
READING:
1. Match the countries to the descriptions.
2. What is each country famous for?
VOCABULARY
proud
crossroads
diverse
roots
variety
CONSIST of
LOCATED = SITUATED
landscape
plain
destination
treasure
dune
populous
unemployment
although
achievement
despite
heritage
TASK 1: When did these countries become EU members:
Austria
Czech Republic
Luxembourg
Portugal
Slovenia
Belgium
Denmark
Malta
Slovakia
Bulgaria
Estonia
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