Belgium gained its independence from the Netherlands in 1830. It is a member the the European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Benelux Economic Union. Belgium shares borders with the Netherlands (to the north), Germany (to the east), Luxemburg (to the southeast), and France (to the South) plus a 40 mile strip of coastline on the North Sea. Of the 11.2 million people in Belgium almost half speak Dutch, one third speak French, and a majority of the remaining people speak German. The farming industry has almost disappeared with 98% of Belgium being urban. The main industries are coal mining, manufacturing, and diamond cutting. One of the things that Belgium is famous for is Manneken Pis, a statue of a young boy
