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Hungarian proverb: 'Fish stinks from its head.'

Andy Chapman delves deep into the web to find out more about the ten new member states of the European Union

Last month the European Union gained no less than 10 new member states - bringing the total to 25.

Surefish presents a quick rundown of each new member, with data compiled from the European Union, the CIA, the BBC and Lonely Planet, among others.

The name of each country links to its own government site.

When you've boned up, try a quiz about the new members.

Cyprus
Population: 800,000
Total area: 9000 sq km
Languages: Greek, Turkish, English
Religions: Greek Orthodox, Muslim
Currency: Cyprus pound
Capital: Nicosia (Lefkosia)

Recent history: Became independent from the UK in 1960. In 1974 a Greek attempt to seize government was halted by Turkey, which in 1983 unilaterally declared northern Cyprus a Turkish republic. Talks to reach a settlement began in 2002.

Attractions: the 15th century Dragoman Hadzigeorgakis museum and the Turkish Museum, both in the capital, for a view of two cultures; the walled castle town of Famagusta.

Typical recipe: Marinated pork with coriander

Proverb: A fool throws a stone into the sea, and a hundred wise men cannot pull it out.

Czech Republic
Population: 10,300,000
Total area: 79000 sq km
Languages: Czech
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox
Currency: Czech koruna
Capital: Prague

Recent history: After the First World War, the Czechs and the Slovaks from the Austro-Hungarian empire formed Czechoslovakia, under Soviet rule after the Second World War until 1989 (the 'velvet revolution'). Split into its two constituent nations again in 1993.

Attractions: the mediaeval beauties of Prague; the Bohemian spa town of Karlovy Vary; the canyons and caves of the Moravian Karst region.

Typical recipe: Tripe soup

Proverb: Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends.

Estonia
Population: 1,400,000
Total area: 45,000 sq km
Languages: Estonian, Russian, Ukrainian, Finnish
Religions: Lutheran, Orthodox
Currency: Estonian kroon
Capital: Tallinn

Recent history: Ruled at different times by Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Russia, Estonia became independent in 1918, then fell under Soviet rule from 1940 to 1991, when it regained its independence.

Attractions: two cathedrals and a castle on the Toompea hill in Tallinn; the island of Hiiumaa, with beautiful coastlines and gardens; and the midsummer festivities at Kiitemagï in the Lahemaa National Park.

Typical recipe: Potato salad with red beet

Proverb: One cannot make soup out of beauty.

Hungary
Population: 10,200,000
Total area: 93,000 sq km
Languages: Hungarian
Religions: Roman Catholic, Calvinist, Lutheran
Currency: Forint
Capital: Budapest

Recent history: Formerly part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Hungary fell under Soviet rule in the Second World War. The USSR intervened after a rebellion in 1956. A more liberal government came in 1968, with the first free elections in 1990.

Attractions: World Heritage Sites include the shores of Buda and Pest on the Danube, the early Christian monuments of Pécs, and the Hortobágy National Park.

Typical recipe: Goulash

Proverb: Fish stinks from its head.

Latvia
Population: 2,400,000
Total area: 65,000 sq km
Languages: Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian
Religions: Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Russian Orthodox
Currency: Lats
Capital: Riga

Recent history: Independent between the two world wars, the USSR took control in 1940. Latvia became independent again in 1991, although 30% of the population remains Russian.

Attractions: a trip up the spire of Riga's St Peter's Church; ancient music festivals in Bauska Castle; the beaches and dunes of the Jurmala towns.

Typical recipe: Cold borsch

Proverb: A smiling face is half the meal.

Lithuania
Population: 3,500,000
Total area: 65,000 sq km
Languages: Lithuanian, Polish, Russian
Religions: Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Russian Orthodox
Currency: Litas
Capital: Vilnius

Recent history: As with Latvia, after independence between the wars, the USSR took over from 1940 until 1990. The last Russian troops left in 1993.

Attractions: the hidden courtyards and winding streets of Vilnius; the elk-inhabited pine forests of the Curonian Spit; the eeriness of the Hill of Crosses, planted there since the 14th century.

Typical recipe: Cottage cheese dumplings

Proverb: A silent pig digs the deepest root.

Malta
Population: 400,000
Total area: 316 sq km
Languages: Maltese, English
Religions: Roman Catholic
Currency: Maltese lira
Capital: Valletta

Recent history: Acquired by Great Britain in 1814, Malta remained in the Commonwealth when it became independent in 1964 - it became a republic in the 1970s.

Attractions: the beautiful walled capital of Valletta and its Upper Barrakka gardens; Calypso's Cave, where Odysseus is said to have been enchanted; the neolithic temples of Hagar Qim.

Typical recipe: Rabbit stew

Proverb: You must kill the spider to get rid of the cobweb.

Poland
Population: 38,600,000
Total area: 313,000 sq km
Languages: Polish, German
Religions: Roman Catholic
Currency: Zloty
Capital: Warsaw

Recent history: Poland was partitioned by Russia, Prussia and Austria in 1772, but became independent again in 1918, until German and Russian invasion in World War Two, after which it was a Soviet satellite. The labour movement Solidarity held sway from 1990 until 2001.

Attractions: enjoy watersports at the Great Masurian Lakes; go climbing in the Tatras, the highest of the Carpathian mountains; or admire architecture from every century at Krakow.

Typical recipe: Holiday strudel

Proverb: If the wind stops, row!

Slovakia
Population: 5,400,000
Total area: 49,000 sq km
Languages: Slovak, Hungarian
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox
Currency: Slovak koruna
Capital: Bratislava

Recent history: After the First World War, the Czechs and the Slovaks from the Austro-Hungarian empire formed Czechoslovakia, under Soviet rule after the Second World War until 1989 (the 'velvet revolution'). Split into its two constituent nations again in 1993.

Attractions: the vineyards on the slopes of the Little Carpathian Mountains; the museum of folk music at Bratislava Castle; winter skiing in the Malá Fatra National Park.

Typical recipe: Halushkies

Proverb: It is better to see something once than to hear about it 100 times.

Slovenia
Population: 2,000,000
Total area: 20,000 sq km
Languages: Slovenian, Serbo-Croat
Religions: Roman Catholic
Currency: Tolar
Capital: Ljubljana

Recent history: The Slovenes formed a new nation with the Serbs and Croats in 1918 - named Yugoslavia in 1929. The Slovenes became independent in 1991.

Attractions: the Museum of Modern Art in Ljubljana; the Venetian Gothic streets of Piran on the Adriatic coast; the huge cave network of Skocjan, home to five types of bat.

Typical recipe: Walnut potica (yeast bread).

Proverb: Speak the truth, but leave immediately after.