 | Belgium - Facts & Figures |
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| Introduction:
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Background:
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.
This information comes from the CIA
World Factbook January 2008.
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