Changes

Medieval and early modern Flanders was one of the most advanced and urbanised regions in Europe, specialising in the cloth trade and many other craft industries. Belgium is considered to be the second country to have embarked on large scale modern industrialisation, after the [[United Kingdom]], due in no small measure to its large coal resources; these are now largely exhausted. The modern Belgian economy is dominated by service industries (helped by the fact the Brussels is the ''de facto'' capital of the EU); it also has significant iron and steel and petrochemical industries; the country is also known for armaments manufacture. Food and drink is an important, if specialised sector: Belgian chocolate and the immense variety of craft beers are world-renowned.

Medieval and early modern Flanders was one of the most advanced and urbanised regions in Europe, specialising in the cloth trade and many other craft industries. Belgium is considered to be the second country to have embarked on large scale modern industrialisation, after the [[United Kingdom]], due in no small measure to its large coal resources; these are now largely exhausted. The modern Belgian economy is dominated by service industries (helped by the fact the Brussels is the ''de facto'' capital of the EU); it also has significant iron and steel and petrochemical industries; the country is also known for armaments manufacture. Food and drink is an important, if specialised sector: Belgian chocolate and the immense variety of craft beers are world-renowned.

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:European Countries]]

[[Category:EU Members]]

[[Category:EU Members]]

[[Category:NATO members]]

[[Category:NATO members]]