Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO.
Location
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Most of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas
Natural Hazards
Flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Geography Note
Crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals are within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the EU and NATO
