The national currencies of the 12 so-called "eurozone" countries have become part of history with the euro becoming the only legal tender in the region at midnight.

The official launch of the euro as legal tender occurred on January first, but not all eurozone countries abandoned their currencies immediately.

But at midnight in the capitals of each of the 12 eurozone nations, their national currencies were officially scrapped in favor of the euro.

Officials continue to say transition to the euro has gone relatively smoothly, though they say there have been some price hikes during the conversion.

In addition, the value of the euro has dropped about 25 percent since being introduced in January 1999.

Some information for this report provided by AFP.

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