Austria, officially: Republik Österreich (The Austrian Republic) is a Federal Parlimentary Republic on the southern border of Western Europe (and the historical region of Central Europe). Austria's capital (and largest city) is Vienna, situated on the Danube. Austria is one of six European countries that have declared permanent neutrality and one of the few countries that includes the concept of everlasting neutrality in its constitution. Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 1955 and joined the European Union in 1995. Austria's history is complex.

Today, Austria is one of the 10 richest countries in the world in terms of GDP per capita, has a well-developed social market economy, and a very high standard of living. Since its accession to the European Union the Austrian economy has become much more open and the country has benefited from considerable inward investment.

In the main, Austrian cuisine is derived from that of the Austro-Hungarian Empire overlaid on native traditions. There are also strong influences from Hungarian, Czech, Jewish, Italian and Bavarian cuisines. As such it can be argued that Austrian cuisin is one of the most natively trans-cultural in Europe.

Czech Republic, officially: Česká republika (the Czech Republic)

Germany, offilicially Bundesrepublik Deutschland (The Federal Republic of Germany) is a country in west-central Europe (Germany is part of Western Europe) but is also part of the historical entity of Central Europe. Germany is officially a Parlimentary Federal Republic with its main ideals expressed in the 1949 Grundgesetz (Basic Law). The German capital is Berlin, where the parliament resides in the Reichstag. German is the official laguage though Danish, Low German, Sorbian, Romani and Frisian are recognized as regional languages. Germany is Europe's most populour country, with an estimated population (2006) of 82,314,90.

Germany is the world's third largest economy, as measured by GDP and Germany is considered as a modern 'Great Power' and is a member state of the United Nations, NATO, the G8 and the G4 nations. Despite, or maybe, due, to its econiomic porsperity Germany has Europe and the World's lowest fertility rates at 1.39 childred per mother. As such Germany's working population is shrinking.

Hungary, offilicially: Magyar Köztársaság (the Republic of Hungary) is a Parlimentary Republic located on the western border of Eastern Europe and on the eastern border of the historical Celtral Europe, lying in the Carpathian basin. The capital (and largest city) is Budapest and Magyar (Hungarian) is the official language.

Hungary is a member of OECD, NATO, EU and a Schengen state. The official language is Hungarian (also known as Magyar), which forms part of the Finno-Ugric family.

Hungarian cuisine is a notable part of the country's culture, with dishes such as goulash (gulyás or gulyásleves) being a mainstay. Healthy brown bread is made from four to six different grains and is sprinkled with sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and rolled oats. Kifli is a wildly popular crescent roll made from reform dough. Beer and wine are also minastays and the Tokaj white wine is a Hungarian classic.

Lichtenstein, officially: Fürstentum Liechtenstein (The Principality of Lichtenstein)

Poland, offilicially: Rzeczpospolita Polska (the Republic of Poland) is a Parlimentary Republic located on the western border of Eastern Europe and on the eastern border of the historical Celtral Europe.

Labour turmoil in 1980 led to the formation of the independent trade union "Solidarity" ("Solidarność"), which over time became a political force. Despite persecution and imposition of martial law in 1981, it eroded the dominance of the Communist Party and by 1989 had triumphed in parliamentary elections. Lech Wałęsa, a Solidarity candidate, eventually won the presidency in 1990. The Solidarity movement heralded the collapse of communism across Eastern Europe.

Polish cuisine represents an almost archetypical mix of Slavic traditions. The traditional Polish form of cookery rich in meat, especially chicken and pork, and winter vegetables (cabbage in the dish bigos), and spices, as well as different kinds of noodles the most notable of which are the pierogi. It is related to other Slavic cuisines in usage of kasza and other cereals. Generally speaking, Polish cuisine is substantial. The traditional cuisine generally is demanding and Poles allow themselves a generous amount of time to prepare and enjoy their festive meals, with some meals (like Christmas eve or Easter Breakfast) taking a number of days to prepare in their entirety.

Slovakia, officially: Slovenská republika (The Slovak Republic)

Slovenia, officially: Republika Slovenija (the Republic of Slovenia)

Switzerland, officially: Confoederatio Helvetica (Latin); Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confédération suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian) and Confederaziun svizra (Romansh) (The Swiss Confederation) is a Direct Democracy and a Federal Parliamentary Republic. It's capital is Berne and the largest city (and financial centre) is Zürich. The country has four official languages: German; French; Italian and Romansh which reflect Switzerland's position as a land-locked country in the heart of Europe. Switerland lies at the southern border of Western Europe and the historical entity of Central Europe.

Today, Switzerland is one of the world's richest countries and Switzerland ranks 15th in the world (when GDP is adjusted for purchasing power parity).

Swiss cuisine has strong influences from German, French and Italian cookery and much of Swiss cooking is related to the cuisines of the countries neighbouring the cantons.