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Belgium (1849-) Stamp-issuing status: active; Population: 10,203,683. A constitutional monarchy in northwest Europe, bordering on the English Channel. Conquered by Julius Caesar in the first century B.C., Belgium was ruled by a succession of foreign nations for nearly 2,000 years. In 1830, Belgium became independent from the last of these foreign rulers, the Dutch. Because of its strategic position, Belgian independence and neutrality was guaranteed by the major European powers. In 1914, Germany occupied most of the country, although Belgium's spirited resistance throughout the war earned worldwide respect. Germany again occupied Belgium during World War II. After 1945, Belgium aligned itself with the West and is a member of both NATO and the Common Market. Its prosperity is built on its foreign trade. |
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