Belgium (/ ˈ b ɛ l dʒ əm / BEL-jəm), officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi), and it has a population of about 11 million people. Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers, mostly Flemish (about 60%), and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons (about 40%), plus a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region. A German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.

Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. The region was called Belgica in Latin because of the Roman province Gallia Belgica which covered more or less the same area. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian Revolution in 1830, when Belgium seceded from the Netherlands, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed the battleground of Europe, a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.

Upon its independence, Belgium participated in the Industrial Revolution and, during the course of the 20th century, possessed a number of colonies in Africa. The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of contrasts between the Flemish and the Francophones fuelled by differences of language and the unequal economic development of Flanders and Wallonia. This ongoing antagonism has caused far-reaching reforms, changing the formerly unitary Belgian state into a federal state, and a long period of political instability.

Proper noun

Singular Belgium

Plural -

Belgium

1. A country in Western Europe that has borders with the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France.

Synonyms

• Kingdom of Belgium. (Official name)

Belgium is a country in western Europe.

Contents

• 1 Belgians
• 2 About Belgium
• 3 Television and movies
• 4 Books

Belgians

• C'est moi qui a sauvé le brol.
  • It was I who saved the rubbish.
  • Prince Charles of Belgium on having saved the monarchy as regent in the 6 years following the second world war, without receiving much gratitude from his brother the king or any of the other royals.

• Petit pays, petit esprit.
  • Leopold II of Belgium, commenting on the unwilligness of the parliament and people of Belgium to engage in colonial adventures.

• La musique est un bruit qui coûte cher.
  • Leopold II of Belgium.

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Business: Textiles and Nonwovens: Textiles ...
Flamant Home Interiors - Belgium. Diversified manufacturing company, active in furniture, paints, textiles, floorcoverings and accessories. Distributors of interior ...

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Business: Agriculture and Forestry: Livestock ...
De Waterwilg - Beefarm in Belgium offering visits. Information on honey and other bee products. (Dutch, French and English.) Draper ...

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Arts: Visual Arts: Galleries: Europe: Belgium
See also: Regional: Europe: Belgium: Arts and Entertainment (207) This category in other languages: Dutch (11) French (26) Absolute Art - Fine Art Gallery.