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. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
(Source: The
World Factbook 2009. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2009)
For more information
about Belgium:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
