The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1999 to 2025 Europe

Background Belgium, in 27 editions.

The entry for Belgium published Background in 27 editions of 36, from 1999 to 2025. The text changed in 9 editions. Each is shown as published. Background in every entry.

editions changed the text
9
the first edition with it
1999
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Background” (1999 to 2025).

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2025 edition

Same as 2024

Open the 2025 entry

The same text in 2024 and 2025.

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, longstanding tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO.

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. In recent years, political divisions longstanding tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO.

Cite this page

Central Intelligence Agency. “Belgium: Background.” The World Factbook, 1999–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/belgium/background.

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