The Kingdom of Belgium, a constitutional monarchy in northwest Europe, has an area of 11,799 sq. mi. (30,513 sq. km.) and a population of 10.26 million, chiefly Dutch-speaking Flemish and French-speaking Walloons. Capital: Brussels. Agriculture, dairy, farming, and the processing of raw materials for re-export are the principles industries. ?Beurs voor Diamant? in Antwerp is the world?s largest diamond trading center. Iron and steel, machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals, textile yarns and fabrics comprise the principal exports. ,The Celtic tribe called ?Belgae,? from which Belgium derived its name, was described by Caesar as the most courageous of all tribes of Gaul. The Belgae eventually capitulated to Rome and the area remained for centuries as part of the Roman Empire known as Belgica.,, ,As Rome began its decline, Frankish tribes migrated westward and established the Merovingian, and subsequently, the Carolingian empires. At the death of Charlemagne, Europe was divided among his three sons Karl, Lothar and Ludwig. The eastern part of today?s Belgium lay in the Duchy of Lower Lorraine while much of the western parts eventually became the County of Flanders. After further divisions, the area was absorbed into the Duchy of Burgundy from whence it passed into Hapsburg control when Marie of Burgundy married Maximilian of Austria. Philip I (the Fair), son of Maximilian and Marie, then added Spain to the Hapsburg empire by marrying Johanna, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella. Charles and Ferdinand, sons of Philip and Johanna, began the separate Spanish and Austrian lines of the Hapsburg family. The Burgundian lands, along with the northern provinces which make up present day Netherlands, became the Spanish Netherlands. The northern provinces successfully rebelled and broke away from Hapsburg rule in the late 16th century and early 17th century. The southern provinces along with the Duchy of Luxembourg remained under the influence of Spain until the year 1700 when Charles II, last of the Spanish Hapsburg line, died without leaving an heir and the Spanish crown went to the Bourbon family of France. The Spanish Netherlands then reverted to the control of the Austrian line of Hapsburgs and became the Austrian Netherlands. The Austrian Netherlands along with the Bishopric of Liege fell to the French Republic in 1794.,, ,At the Congress of Vienna in 1815 the area was united with the Netherlands but in 1830 independence was gained and constitutional monarchy of Belgium was established. A large part of the Duchy of Luxembourg was incorporated into Belgium and the first king was Leopold I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. It was invaded by the German army in Aug. 1914 and the German forces carried on a devastating occupation of most of the territory until Armistice. Belgium joined the League of Nations. On May 10, 1940 it was invaded again by Nazi German armies. The Belgium and Allied forces were quickly overwhelmed and were evacuated through Dunkirk. Allied troops reached Belgium again in Sept. 1944. Prince Charles, Count of Flanders assumed King Leopold?s responsibilities until his liberation by the U.S. army in Austria on May 8, 1945. From 1920-1940 and since 1944 Eupen-Malmedy went from Germany to Belgium. ,, Rulers:,,, ,Leopold I, 1831-1865,, ,Leopold II, 1865-1909,, ,Albert I, 1909-34,, ,Leopold III, 1934-51,, ,Baudouin I, 1952-93,, ,Albert II, 1993-,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Franc = 100 Centimes to 2001,, ,1 Belga =5 Francs,, ,1 Euro = 100 Cents, 2002-,,