Belgium is a small country located in the heart of Europe. It is bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France, and is home to 11 million people. Despite its size, Belgium has a rich and complex history that is deeply intertwined with the history of Europe. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the history of Belgium, from its earliest days to the modern era.
Belgium’s earliest known inhabitants were the Celts, who settled in the area around 500 BC. The Celts were followed by the Romans, who conquered the region in 57 BC and made it part of the Roman Empire. During the Roman period, the region was known as Gallia Belgica and was an important part of the Roman Empire.
In the 4th century, the Franks, a Germanic people, invaded the region and established a kingdom that would eventually become the modern state of Belgium. The Franks were succeeded by the Burgundians, who ruled the region until the 10th century. In the 11th century, the area was divided into two parts, the County of Flanders and the Duchy of Brabant.
In the 14th century, the Duchy of Brabant was annexed by the Duchy of Burgundy, while the County of Flanders became part of the Habsburg Empire. In the 16th century, the Spanish took control of the region and it remained under Spanish rule for more than a century.
In the late 18th century, Belgium was occupied by the French, and it became part of the French Empire in 1795. In 1815, Belgium was made an independent country and became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1830, the Belgian people revolted against Dutch rule and declared their independence, leading to the creation of the modern state of Belgium.
Since then, Belgium has been a stable democracy and has experienced periods of economic prosperity. In the 19th century, Belgium was an important center of industry and was a major player in the Industrial Revolution. In the 20th century, Belgium was occupied by the Germans during World War II, but it was liberated by Allied forces in 1944.
Today, Belgium is a prosperous and modern country and is a member of the European Union. It is a multicultural society and is home to a variety of ethnic and religious groups. Despite its small size, Belgium has played an important role in the history of Europe and the world.