This Guide presents the first comprehensive overview of all named orchid taxa from Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Nomenclature, type information, a description, and notes on etymology, flowering period, habitat, elevation, and geographical distribution are provided for each taxon, along with discussions of related taxa and conservation issues. Every taxon is illustrated up to four photographs, showing the species variability and diagnostic characters. Closely related taxa are arranged in groups, to make identification easier. Geographical distribution is indicated in the page margins, which is a great help for those visiting particular areas. This Guide is a synopsis of the six-volume work Die Orchideen Europas, Nordafrikas und Vorderasiens. In that work, more detailed information and many more photographs will be provided, including full typification with images of the type specimens and distribution maps in UTM-25 km grid.