Our World Tuesday, ABC Wednesday, E for Europe.

In Greek mythology Europa was a Phoenician woman of high lineage, from whom the name of the continent Europe has ultimately been taken. The story of her abduction by Zeus in the form of a white bull was a Cretan story^. 

 From  Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology: Europa - Mythweb

 ^{Europa was gathering wildflowers in a seaside meadow when she came upon a beautiful white bull. This bull was uncommonly gentle and did not inspire fear. Decking its horns with flowers, Europa was at length emboldened to climb upon its back. Whereupon the bull - actually the god Zeus in disguise - took off at a trot and dove into the sea. Europa was carried off to the island of Crete, where she became the mother of King Minos.}

^{This legend is always very attractive compared to the Europe we have to deal with now. As a true European I must know more of her history and countries. Just now I did a test about my knowledge  of the countries of this continent and I failed!} 

The United States of Europe (sometimes abbreviated USE) or Federal Republic of Europe is an idea that was thought about a long time ago. The Romans tried to create one great empire , Napoleon tried it and so did Hitler.The problem is that the unification of Europe as a single sovereign federation of states, similar to the United States of America, is not possible as we have too many cultures, which are unique in themselves but cannot mix. All those 47 independant countries have their own governments. There are 7 kingdoms, some principalities and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The rest are republiques with a president. None of these countries wants to become part of another country and give up its language. There are so many languages, whereas the USA has only one common language. We have Dutch in the Netherlands as our main language, and most of us have to learn one or two foreign languages.English, German, French, Spanish or Italian. All of them with their own grammatical problems. Fortunately half of our neighbours in the south, the Flemish Belgians speak Flemish, which is very much like Dutch. We watch  the same programs on TV. The other half of the  Belgians speak French.

 The USA has one national flag and one national anthem. Europe has 47 national flags and 47 national anthems.

Well as you see there can never be a United States of Europe, but....we can and must work together, help each other and understand the foreign cultures.

 

 

  Welcome to Our World Tuesday! This meme continues in memory of the work of Klaus Peter, whose "that's My World" brought people together from around the world every Monday to share the wonders therein--big and small.Please click on our  logo for "Our World Tuesday" in the sidebar. Thank you Team of O. W. T.!

 

 With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC, and thanks to Roger. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar. This week we are looking for words beginning with E.