Date of independence, or formation date: 1830
Date when current borders were established: 1919
National day: July 21
Vehicle country identifying code: B
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): +1
International telephone dialling code: +32
Internet country identifying code: .be

Located between Germany, France, and the Netherlands, Belgium has a short coastline on the North Sea. The south includes the forested Ardennes region, while the north is crisscrossed by canals. Belgium has been fought over many times in its history; it was occupied by Germany in both world wars. Tensions have existed between the Dutch-speaking Flemings and French-speaking Walloons since the 1830s. These have been somewhat defused by Belgium's move to a federal political structure and the national consensus on the benefits of EU membership.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004