Which countries are part of the European Economic Area (EEA)?

The European Economic Area (EEA) encompasses member countries of the European Union (EU) along with three additional countries: Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. This arrangement allows these non-EU countries to participate in the single market, providing the same rights and privileges to their citizens as those of EU member states regarding the free movement of goods, services, people, and capital.

Option B is correct because it correctly identifies the countries included in the EEA beyond just those in the EU. The inclusion of Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein is crucial since these countries, while not EU members, have agreed to abide by many of the same regulations and standards that govern the EU.

Other options do not accurately represent the membership of the EEA. For instance, while Italy, Belgium, and Spain are EU countries, this group does not cover the entirety of the EEA. Switzerland, while a significant partner in Europe, is not part of the EEA, which makes option C inaccurate. Finally, stating only EU countries (option D) misses the important aspect of the EEA's broader membership, which includes Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, augmenting its coverage beyond just the EU.