Belgium is a federalmonarchy in Western Europe, which shares borders with France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups: the Dutch-speaking, mostly Flemish community (about 59% of the population), and the French-speaking, mostly Walloon population (about 41% of the population). Its linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in its political history and complex system of government. Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries; it once covered a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. Brussels is the capital and largest city of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union (EU).
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