Simple map of states colour-coded to represent the date on which they entered the European Union. Two hues are use, the darkest blue is for the founder states, and progressively lighter shades of blue and then green indicate more and more recent joining. This map shows each state as it was at the time of its entry, so that the then West Germany which was a founder state in 1951 is shown separately from the then East Germany which was annexed in 1991. See Enlargement of the European Union for a list of entry dates.