[1]Helpful
Tool: Currency Conversion Calculator [2]
Huzzah for the Euro! The Euro has made traveling through a dozen European countries far more convenient. Long gone are the days when weary travelers had to exchange currencies at every border or juggle mystical, mathematical conversion calculations in their heads each time they needed to fill their rental car with petrol. Traveling outside the Euro area is also easier since the Euro is an international currency and therefore widely accepted in many places, particularly in tourist destinations.
Which Countries are in the Euro Area?
The Euro is the single currency used in 12 EU member states, including Ireland:
 |
Austria |
 |
Germany |
 |
Netherlands |
 |
Belgium |
 |
Ireland |
 |
Portugal |
 |
Finland |
 |
Italy |
 |
Spain |
 |
France |
 |
Luxembourg |
 |
Greece |
The United Kingdom (UK) has decided not to participate but has indicated that it may consider joining at a later date.
History of the Euro
[3]The first
Euro banknotes were introduced on January 1, 2002
and replaced twelve different sets of banknotes in the previous national
currencies. The European Central Bank is responsible for the overall
authorization of Euro banknote issues but the practical aspects of putting these
notes into circulation is carried out by the twelve national central banks of
the Euro area. There are seven different denominations in the current Euro
banknote series, ranging from the €5 to the €500 note. The designs of the notes
are the same throughout the Euro area and feature windows and gateways (on the
front) and bridges (on the reverse) from different periods in Europe's
architectural history.
The first Euro coins were introduced on 1st January 2002 and replaced twelve different sets of coins in the previous national currencies. Each Member State of the Euro area issues Euro coins featuring the national sides. However, such coins are legal tender throughout the whole Euro area. The volumes issued are subject to approval by the European Central Bank. Each Euro coin has a common European design on one side and an individual national design on the other. However, the technical features of the coins (size, weight, metals used) are identical across all Euro countries. he national side of future Euro coins must comply with the common guidelines adopted by the Council in June 2005.
[4]The
Euro symbol was designed by the Commission services. The
final choice from among several proposed designs was made following a
qualitative assessment by the general public conducted by a specialized
organization.
The € is inspired by the Greek epsilon pointing back to the cradle of European civilization and the first letter of Europe, crossed by two parallel lines to indicate the stability of the Euro. The early definition of a distinctive symbol for the Euro also reflects the vocation of the Euro to become one of the world's major currencies.
Of course, despite the wonder and celebration of the Euro, if all you have are USA dollars or Yugoslavian Dinars, you must still convert them to Euros before your next German or French excursion. However, please do so with pleasure knowing that you need only do this once for a multi-country shopping spree!
FrenchFriends.info will be writing an article in the future about how and where to get the best conversion rates. In the meantime, please take advantage of our our convenient, online Currency Conversion Calculator [5]. Enjoy!
[6]
[7]