Quick Facts About Belgium
- Official name: The Kingdom of Belgium
- Independence date: July 21, 1831 – Celebrated as the day when Leopold I officially became the first King of Belgium
- Member of the EU?: Yes
- Capital: Brussels
- Currency: The Euro
- Power Adapter: Type C or Type F
- Population: 11.8 million (2024 est.)
- Yearly tourist visits: 9.2 million (2024 est.)
- Best known for: History (including the Battle of Waterloo, WWI and WWII battlefields), incredible cuisine, craft beer, NATO and EU headquarters
A very short history of Belgium:
Belgium, as part of the “Benelux” region (Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg), is geographically located in a strategic part of Europe and as such has been part of large empires throughout most of its history. Belgium was brought under Roman control by none other than Julius Caesar, and it would remain part of the Roman Empire until the Western Roman Empire collapsed.
The Middle Ages were a time of change and division as various kingdoms fought over the land before it was incorporated into the Holy Roman Empire around 800. By the 12th Century the Holy Roman Empire had lost control of the region and it was divided into several feudal states. It was also during this time that the several key Belgian cities were established including Ghent, Ypres, and Bruges. In the 13th Century the French Kingdom gradually increased control over the region until it was fully subjugated in 1304.
In 1556, (after a somewhat complicated succession) the region became part of Spain under the rule of Phillip II. After the War of the Spanish Succession ended in 1714, Belgium was transferred to Austria. This was short lived as, after the French Revolution, France came to dominate the region until Napoleon’s final defeat in 1815. In the Congress of Vienna after Napoleon’s defeat, the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was established and included what we now refer to as the Benelux region. Only 15 years later Belgians revolted and gained full independence for the first time in 1830.
Belgium was a late comer to empire building in Europe, but no less enthusiastic. In the carve up of Africa, Belgium received and controlled the Congo in what became a brutal colonial regime. After World War I they also received German territories including Rwanda and Burundi.
The German plan in WWI was to invade neutral Belgium and rapidly push towards Paris, however stubborn resistance from Belgians – only 1/10 the size of the invading force – gave the French and British time to organize a defense and deserves credit for preventing the Germans from accomplishing their goals. Much of the fighting of WWI took place in Belgium and wrecked the economy, which didn’t fully recover in the interwar period.
Belgium attempted to remain neutral prior to WWII, though a surprise invasion in May 1940 by Nazi Germany spoiled those plans. This time, the German Blitzkrieg rapidly overwhelmed defenses and only 18 days later Belgium surrendered. While many soldiers escaped and would fight on with the British, for those that remained the next 4 years was nothing but brutal occupation. In late 1944 the Allies liberated Belgium, though a German counteroffensive in December led to the deadliest battle of the war in Western Europe – the Battle of the Bulge.
After the War the throne was reestablished with Leopold III, though he quickly abdicated due to suspicions he was a Nazi collaborator. In the next few decades Belgium granted independence to it’s colonial holdings and became a major player in European and world affairs. Despite some political turmoil, it remains a very important country in Western Europe.
Check out our 10 day trip to Belgium and the Netherlands to help you plan your next trip!
