I've found Austria to be fun - you're on a perpetual knife-edge between success and disaster. Growth is the only option for survival, but on the other hand it's possible to be down to 1 ( maybe even 0?) supply centre after the first year. For most other countries, there is a safe option of hunkering down, but not for Austria.

Russia is fun because in the early-game, you have to negotiate for every last bit of safety and growth. Rumania? Better not have Turkey moving into the Black Sea. Sweden? Only if Germany is being generous.

Russia can be fun, though I've only played it face-to-face so far...and everyone I play with is always scared of Russia. Once Russia gets two center (e.g., Sweden AND Rumania) they all flip and attack Russia...so yeah...Did I mention the group I play face-to-face with is kinda crazy? Lol.

France: With three potential neighboring allies, France has diplomatic options that rival Germany's. The strategy is different. As Germany will be as proactive as possible, setting the world events and playing one power against another, France, with two guaranteed neutrals can wait a year, or two, before deciding what to do. Often times France can lose one or two home supply centers and still be in a diplomatically viable position, and it's in this reactionary diplomacy that a good French player can really shine. Playing France well takes an almost contrarian world-view, one that's not for every player. But if you don't mind first defending, and then attacking, France can be a great country... and a lot of fun. Italian play can be similar, though the advantages are not nearly as good.

Another favorite is Germany, for the reasons Akroma stated. Depends on my mood. Though if you want a power trip, England's your choice.

probably Italy.
being italy, it is very easy to stay safe as long as you use the right moves. you can move to tyrolia in spring 01 and have lots of options.

turkey for me, its a much safer start and if you make the right alliances across the board youre assured victory

I like Austria, because you are in the middle of everything.
On the contrary, I don't like Turkey and England, because you cannot influence the other side of the board at all.

I love to play Italy--it makes everyone else underestimate you. I don't like Germany because in the event of a stalemate line, all you home SCs are blocked.

russia I think. or turkey

Austria or Turkey. Austria can be very powerful, and whilst predictable, a well founded Turkey can be almost unstoppable

If I was Turkey, I would love an opportunity to trade Ankara for Sevastopol. It would quite unpredictable and would probably result in my defeat. ;-)

In my experience I think Austria is the most fun, but... I haven't played Germany yet. It certainly looks like fun.

Having said that, I'm beginning to like Italy, strangely.

Russia can be fun, especially if you take the Murmansk route

I really enjoy playing Italy.... but it can be pretty frustrating. To make a decent go of it you need to find a strong ally that is also on top of his game. Otherwise you can end up paying for tactical errors made by someone else. (applies to all countries... but Italy in particular relies on other people's support).

I believe France is the strongest country on the board... but that doesn't make it the most fun to play. Though have only played Turkey once to date.

I also firmly believe that people on this site over-estimate the importance of the country you draw.... yes some countries in the long run fair better than others but people seem to be very downhearted when they draw Austria/Italy. Enjoy the challenge, it just means you have to work harder on your diplomacy which is why we are all here anyway.

I haven't drawn England, Italy, or Germany yet, but I've drawn Turkey FOUR GODDAMN TIMES.

I'm sick of Turkey. D:

(Drawn, of course, meaning "played as." You get the idea)

Yeah, being a dominant eastern power without fleets in the North really sucks- I've drawn with Austria thrice.

Though I do actually being Austria- proactive and clever play with Austria can lead to surprising gains. Don't expand too fast in the east though (as I found out).

No England fans? I have my highest win percentage there. I think Russia and Austria are the most fun and France is the easiest. Turkey is quite boring, especially in the early game. However, Italy remains my favourite for being the most devious.

I believe France and Turkey are my favorates. These are the two that I have actually won with. Also I like the fact when either Turkey and Russia or France and England wash out the board. Moving east to west or west to east. It is vary entertaining to me. I also love it when the two allies don't backstab each other. Instead the best commander wins. It really shows how good people are at making supply lines, and military discussions and guesses.

Aaaand apparently I'm dumb and didn't the second comment. haha, oh well it still works.

Seriously though, I want to play Italy, and England. And Germany, but not as much as I want to play as Italy and England. D:

they're all pretty even... i'd say italy and austria are the worst to start with as their play depends on diplomacy the most.