• Reading Level 5
History | Geography | PSHE

Adieu, EU – it was a fascinating 47 years

What is Europe? Today, history will be made as the UK leaves the European Union. Boris Johnson has hailed it as “a new era”. But Britain will still be part of a wonderfully varied continent. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will hail the "dawn of a new era" later, as the UK prepares to leave the European UnionA political and economic union of 27 countries. after 47 years. In a speech to be shown at 22:00 GMT - an hour before the official departure time - he will say Brexit is "not an end but a beginning". He will describe severing ties with the other 27 EU nations as "a moment of real national renewal and change". To mark this, here is The Day's very personal ode to the joys of the world's richest continent. We hope that all of you - if you haven't already - will one day get to enjoy the experiences below. 1. Watching the Palio in Siena. This horse race around a huge square in the beautiful Italian city is probably the most exciting in the world, as well as the most unusual: the first horse to the finish wins - even if its rider has fallen off. The event is made even more spectacular by the medievalRelating to the Middle Ages. costumes worn by the competitors and their supporters. 2. Dog-sledding in Finland.Imagine hurtling through a snowy, Christmas-card landscape at top speed, pulled by a team of dogs that can cover 50 miles a day, on a sled with just a metal bar for a brake. If you are lucky, you might also see the Northern LightsA natural light display of bright colours in the sky seen in areas close to the North Pole. . 3. Eating a custard tart in Lisbon. You can take a tram up to the ramparts of the Castelo de Sao Jorge and enjoy one of Europe's greatest puddings while soaking up a breathtaking view of the Portuguese capital. 4. Swimming in Malta's Blue Grotto. Made up of seven caves, the grotto is dominated by a rock arch, 30-metres high. It is famous for its amazingly clear water and the magical reflections of sunlight on the cave walls. 5. Dancing at the carnival in Venice.The city of canals and historic palaces is always a dreamlike place to visit, but never more so than during the fortnight of the carnival, when people roam the streets in costumes and masks to celebrate. 6. Climbing to the top of a Barcelona basilica. Designed by the great architect Anton Gaudi, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is one of the world's weirdest buildings, still under construction 137 years after it was started. 7. Watching a light show in France. The Chateau de Blois, an elegant castle with a wonderful setting on the River Loire, is at its most enchanting when lit up at night with sound effects to bring its history to life. 8. Meeting reindeer in Sweden. Once a year, herders from across Lapland bring their animals to the Sami market at Jokkmokk (a small town in the Arctic Circle), giving a glimpse of their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Does this list help us to define the qualities of Europe? Queen of the continents Not really, say life's cynics. Wherever you go on Earth, there are extraordinary things to see and experience. There is nothing to beat the Grand Canyon or the Victoria FallsThe waterfall is located on the Zambezi river, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.. The pyramids in Egypt and the Great Wall of China are as awe-inspiring as any historical monuments Europe has to offer. If you want to see life at its most modern, you would be better off visiting Japan or South Korea. Of course, it does, say more romantic souls. The quintessenceA hypothetical form of dark energy that could explain the accelerating expansion of the universe.  of Europe is variety. No other part of the world can match it. It contains a multitude of countries, each with its own rich literature, language and culture. And its geography ranges from the great mountain range of the Alps to the fjords of Scandinavia, to the forests of Germany and the beaches of Spain. KeywordsEuropean Union - A political and economic union of 27 countries.

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