Belgium: Chocolate, Beer, and European Capital

Belgium, a small Western European nation, is known for its medieval towns, Renaissance architecture, and as headquarters of the European Union and NATO. Despite its modest size, Belgium has played a significant role in European history and culture.

Belgium is famous for producing exceptional chocolate, over 1,500 varieties of beer, and crispy Belgian waffles. The country is officially trilingual (Dutch, French, and German), reflecting its position between Germanic and Romance Europe. Brussels, the capital, serves as the de facto capital of the European Union, hosting major EU institutions.

Belgian cities like Bruges and Ghent preserve medieval architecture and canals, while Belgium's art history includes Flemish masters like Rubens and Van Eyck, as well as surrealist René Magritte. Despite linguistic divisions between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia, Belgium maintains unity while celebrating its diversity.