Individual countries

18.1

Austria. Bundesländer are called Provinces in English.

18.2

Belgium. See 18.15 and Annex 2.

18.3

Denmark. In 1985 Greenland (adj. Greenland) left the Community. The Faeroes (adj. Faeroese, NB not Faeroe Islands) have not joined the Community.

18.4

Finland. The country's formal title is the Republic of Finland. Finland is divided administratively into 6 provinces (lääni, in Swedish län — but note 18.14 below) which break down into 19 regions (maakunta, in Swedish landskap).

18.5

France. The expression Republic of France is incorrect. The départements d'outre-mer (DOM) are the (French) overseas departments in English. Do not abbreviate. The pays et térritoires d'outre-mer (PTOM) are the overseas countries and territories (OCT in English).

18.6

Germany. The short form Germany is acceptable in less formal contexts. The Permanent Representative has specified:

Federal Republic of Germany, Federal Republic, FR of Germany (Germany in internal documents)

Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, Federal Government (German Government in internal documents)

The names of the new Länder are given in Annex 1.

Note lowercasing of east/west Berlin.

18.7

Greece. The expression Republik Griechenland in German is equivalent to “Hellenic Republic”.

18.8

Ireland. Ireland is the full name laid down in the Irish Constitution; Eire (the name in Irish) and Republic of Ireland/Irish Republic are incorrect in English.

18.9

Italy. The expression Republic of Italy is incorrect.

18.10

Luxembourg. Where French texts refer simply to le Grand-Duché, render in English as Luxembourg. Note the spelling, and use it for the capital city as well. Note Luxembourg Government, Luxembourg cuisine, the Luxembourg climate, but when referring to the language use the -ish form: Luxembourgish expressions, Luxembourgish poetry.

18.11

Netherlands. Holland is only part of the Netherlands (the provinces North and South Holland). The adjective is Dutch: the Dutch Government, the Dutch delegation, Dutch industry, etc.

18.12

Portugal. The expression Republic of Portugal is incorrect. Macao is governed by special statute. FR: Porto = EN: Oporto.

18.13

Spain. The Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla are not part of the Community's customs territory.

18.14

Sweden. Län should be translated as 'county' in English.

18.15

United Kingdom. Avoid the colloquial Britain and British in legal or formal texts. Great Britain comprises England, the Principality of Wales and Scotland; these three together with Northern Ireland form the United Kingdom. Never use Ulster for the province of Northern Ireland. Ulster includes the Counties of Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan plus Northern Ireland.

The geographical term British Isles includes Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Isle of Man and Channel Islands).

Use GB only for the international vehicle identification. Note that the abbreviation “RU” is often used in French texts for “UK” but it might also mean Russia — be careful!

18.16

Benelux/BNL and BLEU. Do not confuse the Benelux Economic Union (abbreviated Benelux or BNL), a customs union that came into effect in 1948, with the Belgo-Luxembourg Economic Union (abbreviated BLEU, French UEBL), a customs and monetary union dating back to 1921.