The small and densely populated nation of Belgium has played an
important role in the history of Europe and other continents, especially
Africa. It was a pioneering force in industry, trade, and finance during
the Middle Ages, through early modern times and into the nineteenth and
twentieth centuries. It introduced innovative political regimes and
played a leading role in the creative arts. Yet this rich past is not
widely known. This introductory history offers an accessible and
rigorous overview of this small but important West-European country,
synthesizing Belgium's main economic, social, political, and cultural
developments from pre-Roman times until today. Today, this nation-state,
born in 1830, is well-known for the rivalries between its two main
language communities, and as a result is often considered a fragile or
even an artificial political construct. This systematic chronological
analysis of both present-day Belgium and the polities that preceded it
throws fresh light on this controversial issue and demonstrates
Belgium's enduring importance and influence.