It is a metalinguistic State with three official languages, 57% of its population in the Flanders region speaks Dutch. While about 42% of the Wallonia region speaks French, the same as in Brussels, its capital. 1% speak German.
Historically, Belgium has been part of the Netherlands which also included the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, occupying a region somewhat larger than modern Benelux.
Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Union. Several of these institutions and other organizations such as NATO are located in the country.
