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'''Western Europe''' is the region of [[Europe]] consisting of [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Liechtenstein]], [[Luxembourg]], [[Monaco]], [[Netherlands]], [[Switzerland ]].

'''Western Europe''' is the region of [[Europe]] consisting of [[Belgium]], [[France]], [[Ireland]],[[Luxembourg]], [[Monaco]], [[Netherlands]] and the [[United Kingdom]]. Occasionally it includes also [[Spain]], [[Portugal]] and [[Italy]].

==History==

==History==

Western Europe may also refer to the part of [[Europe]] that did not come under [[Communist]] rule at the end of the [[Second World War]], and is therefore massively more advanced, wealthy and stable that its counterpart, [[Eastern Europe]]. So wealthy had it become, indeed, that upon the fall of Communism it was able to absorb most of Eastern Europe into its economy - as part of an expanded [[European Union]] - rescuing it from economic and social collapse. Western Europe is also the home of ''two'' of the world's most important currencies, the [[euro]] and the British [[pound]]. Some of the world's greatest cities - [[Rome]], [[Paris]], [[London]] etc. are situated in Western Europe, and it is the home of the [[English language]], the [[French language]], and the [[Spanish language]]. Western European culture can be traced back to that of [[Ancient Rome]], and it is also the birthplace of both the [[Catholic Church]] and [[Protestantism]] - in addition to the [[Enlightenment]] and the [[Industrial Revolution]]. Colonists from Western Europe have settled the entire length and breadth of [[North America]], [[South America]], and [[Australia]], taking their languages and culture with them.

Western Europe is confused with [[Western Bloc]], a term referring to the part of [[Europe]] that did not come under [[Communist]] rule at the end or after the [[Second World War]]. Thanks to the economic and political freedom, it became advanced, wealthy and stable that its counterpart, [[Eastern Bloc]]. In Western Europe, the [[European Union]] was created.

The economies of many former communist European nations are expanding rapidly.  The difference between Western Europe and [[Eastern Europe]] is becoming less clear cut.  

Western European (as well as [[Central Europe]]an) culture can be traced back to that of [[Ancient Rome]], and it is also the birthplace of both the [[Catholic Church]] and [[Protestantism]] - in addition to the [[Enlightenment]] and the [[Industrial Revolution]]. Colonists from Western Europe have settled the entire length and breadth of [[North America]], [[South America]], and [[Australia]], taking their languages and culture with them.

 

Western Europe is also the home of ''two'' of the world's most important currencies, the [[euro]] and the British [[pound]]. Some of the world's greatest cities - [[Amsterdam]], [[Brussels]] (de facto European Union's capital), [[Paris]], [[London]] are situated in Western Europe, and it is the home of the [[English language]], the [[French language]], and the [[Spanish language]].

 

All [[Western Europe]]an countries are listed by the Human Development Index as very highly developed countries.

 

Currently, as Europe is no longer divided into Western and Eastern Bloc, the use of the term Western, or Eastern Europe is seen as a faux past. It relates to the Cold War, which ended a generation ago.

[[Category:Regions of the World]]

[[Category:Regions of the World]]

[[Category:Europe]]

[[Category:Europe]]