Belgium

4th century – Formation of the Belgian region under the Roman Empire

843 – Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian Empire, with the region becoming part of the Holy Roman Empire

14th century – Duchy of Burgundy gains control over Belgium

1579 – Union of Utrecht (Monday, January 23, 1579): Dutch Revolt against Spanish rule, leading to the separation of the Northern and Southern Netherlands

1713 – Treaty of Utrecht (Monday, March 31, 1713): The Southern Netherlands (Belgium) comes under Austrian Habsburg rule

1830 – Belgian Revolution (Monday, August 25, 1830): Belgium gains independence from the Netherlands

1831 – Constitution adopted (Tuesday, February 7, 1831), officially establishing Belgium as a constitutional monarchy

1914-1918 – World War I (1914-1918): Belgium is invaded by Germany and suffers immense destruction

1940-1944 – World War II (May 10, 1940 – September 3, 1944): Belgium is occupied by Nazi Germany

1958 – Expo 58 (April 17 – October 19, 1958): The Brussels World’s Fair, one of the first major international expositions after World War II

1992 – Maastricht Treaty (Tuesday, November 7, 1992): Belgium signs the treaty establishing the European Union

2001 – Euro introduced (Monday, January 1, 2001) as the official currency, replacing the Belgian Franc

2010-2011 – Political crisis (2010-2011): Belgium experiences the longest period without a functioning government in its history (589 days)

2020 – COVID-19 pandemic: Belgium experiences a significant wave of cases, affecting the economy and health system

Continent: Europe (Western Europe)
Location: Western Europe, bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and the North Sea
Capital: Brussels
Language: Dutch (Flemish), French, German (official languages)
Currency: Euro (€)
Population: ~11.7 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) / Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) during daylight saving

Borders: France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands
Coastline: North Sea
Landscape: Lowlands, rolling hills, forests, and rivers
Major Rivers: Scheldt, Meuse, and Sambre
Notable Features: Ardennes mountain range, Flanders plains

Ethnic Groups: Flemish (Dutch-speaking, around 60%), Walloons (French-speaking, around 40%), German-speaking minority
Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholic (50%), with minorities of Protestants, Muslims, and non-religious
Urban Population: ~98% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: High degree of urbanization, with significant multicultural communities, especially in Brussels

Famous For: Chocolates, beer, waffles, medieval towns, art (Surrealism, Flemish painting), and the European Union headquarters
Cuisine: Moules-frites (mussels with fries), stoofvlees (beef stew), Belgian waffles, chocolates, Belgian beer
Arts: Flemish Renaissance art (Jan van Eyck, Pieter Bruegel), surrealist art (René Magritte), music festivals
Sports: Football (soccer), cycling (Tour de France), tennis, hockey

Economy Type: High-income, industrialized economy, one of the wealthiest in Europe
GDP: Approx. $650 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Chemicals, machinery, electronics, diamond cutting, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals
Key Exports: Machinery, chemicals, diamonds, automobiles, pharmaceuticals
Unemployment Rate: ~5.6% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Brussels is the financial hub, with Flanders being the industrial and technological center

Government Type: Federal parliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy
Head of State: King Philippe (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral (Chamber of Representatives & Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1831

Brussels: Grand Place, Atomium, European Parliament
Bruges: Medieval city center, canals, Belfry of Bruges
Ghent: Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, historic center
Antwerp: Diamond district, Cathedral of Our Lady, museums
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 13 (last updated: 2023)