Belgium

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. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Economical characteristics

 * Currency: Euro (ISO code: EUR)
 * Central bank discount rate: 3% (31 December 2008)
 * Commercial banks lending rate: 7.03% (31 December 2008)
 * is part of the Eurozone

Notable events:

 * Banking crisis: 1838-1839, 1842, February 1848, 1870-1871, 1914, 1925-1926, May 1931, 1934, 1939, 2008
 * Years in inflation: 5.2 % (share of years 1800-2009 with annual inflation above 20 per cent per annum)

Links

 * Belgium on Wikipedia
 * Central bank of Belgium
 * BBC country profile
 * Belgium raises just 3 bln with 10-yr bonds by REUTERS, January 2011