Belgium

Belgium's history is deeply intertwined with its geographical location at the crossroads of Western Europe. Originally inhabited by Celtic and Germanic tribes, the region was later part of the Roman Empire before undergoing Frankish rule. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Low Countries experienced periods of both independence and control by various powers, including Burgundy and Spain. The Belgian Revolution of 1830 led to the establishment of an independent Kingdom of Belgium, which quickly industrialized and played a role in European colonialism.