1. BeNeLux Countries Includes Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg The Benelux is an economic union.

2. Belgium Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is the headquarters for many international organizations, such as the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Known for lace, chocolate, and diamond-cutting The Belgian Royal PalaceRoyal Palace

3. The Netherlands The Netherlands is also known as Holland. Dutch is the official language—this is also what the people are called. The Netherlands controls several Caribbean islands. Well-known for flowers The Binnenhof is the centre of Dutch politics.Binnenhof

5. Luxembourg Luxembourg is known for being a banking region and has one of the highest standards of living in the world. Many residents are multi-lingual. The façade of the Grand Ducal Palace

6. The Alpine Countries  Includes Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein

7. Location high in the Alps has allowed it to remain somewhat separate from the rest of Europe. Switzerland has had a stable democratic government for more than 700 years. Switzerland has remained neutral in European wars for the last 200 years. It has not joined the United Nations, NATO, or the EU.

8. Switzerland Switzerland is home to many international organizations. 64 percent of Swiss speak German, 19 percent speak French, and 8 percent speak Italian. Romansch is also a national language. Swiss chemists discovered how to make chocolate bars.

10. Austria The Austrian Empire (ruled by the Hapsburg family) ruled much of Central Europe from the late 1200s to the early 1900s (until WW1). Austria was occupied by Germany in WW2. Austria is now an independent nation. The famous “Hapsburg Chin” The family intermarried so much it caused this strange genetic defect!

11. Mozart is a famous composer who performed often in Vienna, a center for fine art and music. The Sound of Music was filmed in Austria’s majestic mountains. Austria Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart