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.

Belgium, offilicially: Koninkrijk België (Dutch); Royaume de Belgique (French) and Königreich Belgien (German) (The Kingdom of Belgium) is a Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy on the North Sea coast of Western Europe. The capital is Brussels and the official languages are Dutch, French and German. The name 'Belgium' itself derives from the Celtic tribe of the Belgae, the main inhabitants of the region during the Roman period.

Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO. The country is one of the world's ten largest trading nations.

Belgian cuisine reflects the nature of the country itself and has a strong mix of Germanic and Latin (ie French) influences. Waffles and Chips (French Fries) are a staple of the diet and the modern forms of both dishes originated in Belgium. 'Steak and Chips' is a national dish (often served with a green salad), along with 'Mussels and Chips' and Belgium is also rightly famous for its chocolates. However, the diverse nature of the country also means that there is a vibrant and varied regional cuisine with hudreds of distinct regional dishes. This makes Belgain cookery one of the World's classic (but least known) cuisines.

France, offilicially République française (The French Republic) is the westernmost of the Western European nations with Paris its official language and French its offical language. France is officially a secular semi-presidential unitary republic with its main ideals expressed in the 'Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen'. In the 18th and 19th centuries, France built one of the largest colonial empires of the time, stretching across West Africa and Southeast Asia, prominently influencing the cultures and politics of the regions. As a result, though Metropolitan France is entirely within the boundaries of Western Europe and the European Union there are overseas departments (which have the same political status as metropolitan departments) in Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana and Réunion.

The French economy is the world's sixth largest and France is a founding member of the United Nations, and a member of the Francophonie, the G8, and the Latin Union. It is one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council; it is also an acknowledged nuclear power. The name of the country, 'France' derives from the Franks, a Germanic tribe that occupied northern Europe after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. More precisely, the region around Paris, called Île-de-France, was the original French royal demesne. The first King of the Franks, Clovis, is regarded as the forefather of the French kings. Previously France was the Roman province of Gaul.

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.

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

Luxembourg, officially: Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg (Luxembourgish); Großherzogtum Luxemburg (German); Grand-Duché de Luxembourg (French); (The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg).

The Netherlands, officially: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (The Kingdom of the Netherlands) is a Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy on the North Sea coast of Western Europe. The capital and largest city is Amsterdam and Dutch is the official language. The Netherlands is often called 'Holland' in English-speaking countries, but this is formally incorrect as North and South Holland represent only two of the Netherland's twelve provinces.

Belgium is a founding member of the European Union, NATO and the OECD. The country is host to five international (ised) courts: the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, the International Criminal Court and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. The Netherlands has the 16th largest economy in the world, and ranks 10th in GDP (nominal) per capita.

Dutch cuisine is often described as lacking in diversity, but this is because the Netherlands is rich in terms of its regional cuisine but there is little in terms of what could be described as 'National' fare. In comparison with much of the remainder of Europe Dutch cuisine can be characterized by its hight consumption of vegetables (in comparison with meat). The consumption of dairy products is also high and Dutch cheeses are world famous. The Netherlands is also famous for its pastries and baked goods (indeed, the term 'cookie' originates from the Dutch) and Dutch biscuits are often filled with marzipan, almonds and chocolate. In addition the range and breadth of pies and cakes baked in the country is huge.

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.

Monaco, officially: Principauté de Monaco (The Principality of Monaco).