Belgium is a small country in Western Europe, bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It is famous for its chocolate, waffles, and beer, which are celebrated worldwide. Belgium is also home to the headquarters of the European Union and NATO, making Brussels one of the most politically significant cities on the continent.
- Capital
- Brussels
- Continent
- Europe
- Region
- Western Europe
- Area
- 30,528 km²
- Coordinates
- 50.83333333° N, 4° E
Country facts
- Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
- The country is one of the world's leading producers of high-quality chocolate.
- Belgium invented the French fry, despite the name suggesting otherwise.
- The Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon was finally defeated in 1815, took place near Brussels.
- Belgium has one of the densest rail networks in the world relative to its size.
Capital facts
- Brussels grew around a tenth-century fortress built on an island in the Senne River.
- The Atomium, a giant steel structure shaped like an iron crystal, was built for the 1958 World Expo and remains an iconic Brussels landmark.
- The Grand Place in Brussels is a stunning central square recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Brussels is home to Manneken Pis, a small but world-famous bronze statue of a urinating boy dating to 1619.
- The city hosts the headquarters of both the European Union and NATO, earning it the nickname 'Capital of Europe'.