Belgium is a small country at the crossroads of northwestern Europe. The country borders three important trading nations-France, the Netherlands, and Germany. A narrow body of water called the English Channel separates Belgium from the United Kingdom. Belgium's central location in Europe has brought it prosperity through trade with its neighbors. Historically, the country's location has also made it a battleground for soldiers of other nations, particularly during World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945). During most of its history, Belgium was a collection of cities and regions. Ancient Rome, Spain, Austria, France, and the Netherlands ruled it at different times. In 1830, Belgium won its independence from the Netherlands and became united as a state.

Belgium has two main ethnic groups, a Dutch-speaking people called Flemings, who live in the north, and a French-speaking people called Walloons, who live in the south. Both French-speaking and Dutch-speaking live in Brussels, Belgium's capital. A group of German-speaking people live in eastern Belgium.

Belgium is an international center of economic and political activity. A number of international organizations have headquarters in Brussels, including the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Many international companies have branch offices or factories in Belgium.