Belgium: flag, capital, currency and history

Flag of Belgium

Download the flag of Belgium as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇧🇪.

History of Belgium

The region was inhabited by Celtic and Germanic peoples known to the Romans as Belgae, and became part of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica. In the Middle Ages its towns of Flanders and Brabant grew into important centers of trade. The area was later ruled by Burgundy, the Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs, and France, and in 1815 joined the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. A revolution in 1830 led to independence, and Leopold I became the first king in 1831. Belgium was occupied in both world wars and is a federal constitutional monarchy with Brussels as its capital.

Key dates

1. c. 50 BCERoman conquest incorporates the Belgae into Gallia Belgica.
2. 1795France annexes the territory during the French Revolutionary Wars.
3. 1815The Congress of Vienna places the region in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
4. 1830The Belgian Revolution begins and independence is proclaimed.
5. 1831Leopold I is sworn in as the first King of the Belgians on 21 July.
6. 1914Germany invades Belgium at the start of the First World War.
7. 1957Belgium is a founding signatory of the Treaty of Rome.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.

Currency of Belgium

Belgium uses the Euro (EUR, €). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.

Festivals and greetings in Belgium

Celebrations observed in Belgium, with free greeting images and wishes you can personalise.

Mahavir Jayanti

All greeting images for Belgium · Festival calendar

Frequently asked questions

Neighbours of Belgium

FranceParisGermanyBerlinLuxembourgLuxembourgNetherlandsAmsterdam

More countries in Western Europe

FranceParisGermanyBerlinLiechtensteinVaduzLuxembourgLuxembourgMonacoMonacoNetherlandsAmsterdamSwitzerlandBern