A low-lying country in the Benelux, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe. It marries the historical landmarks for which the continent is famous with spectacular modern architecture and rural idylls. Its capital, Brussels, is home to the headquarters of the European Union.
Despite this, Belgium is not without its divisions. On the contrary, Flanders, the northern part of the country that speaks Dutch, and Wallonia, the southern French-speaking area, are frequently at loggerheads and it sometimes seems that their quarrels will split the country in two. Yet, despite this apparent incompatibility, the two halves of Belgium come together to form a country that contains some of Europe's most attractive and historical cities and is a true 'must-see' for any visitor to the continent.