Russia ›

After over 200 years of Mongol domination the Principality of Muscovy was founded in the 12th century. It began absorbing territory across Siberia to the Pacific and to the Baltic Sea. Under the rule of Peter I (1682-1725) the country was renamed the Ru... read more ›

Switzerland ›

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honoured by the major European powers. It h... read more ›

Italy ›

Italy became a nation-state in 1861 and it was a charter member of the European Economic Community (EEC). Italy’s economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricul... read more ›

Ireland ›

The island of Ireland is made up of 32 counties of which the Republic of Ireland occupies 26. The remaining six counties in the north (Ulster) are still part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth. It joined the Eu... read more ›

United Kingdom ›

The United Kingdom consists of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is a leading trading power and financial centre, and one of the quintet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Agriculture in the UK is intensive, highly mechanized, and effi... read more ›