Belgium has a population of around 11.6 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. It is also one of the most divided — the language boundary between Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north and French-speaking Wallonia in the south runs east-west through the middle of the country, cutting through Brussels' suburbs. The capital itself is officially bilingual, though French dominates in daily life.
The Flemish and Walloons have co-existed uneasily for most of Belgium's history. The country has set records for going without a functioning federal government — after the 2010 elections it went 541 days without one, and broke that record again after 2019. In practice, most things that affect daily life are handled at the regional level, and Belgium continues to function regardless.
A small German-speaking community of around 75,000 people lives in the cantons east of Liege, around the towns of Eupen and Malmedy. They have their own regional government and are constitutionally recognized as a third linguistic community.
Brussels is highly international — roughly a third of its residents are non-Belgian, reflecting its role as home to EU institutions, NATO, and a large number of international companies. The city has significant Moroccan, Turkish, and Congolese communities, a legacy of both labour immigration and Belgium's colonial past.
Belgians are generally reserved on first acquaintance but warm and hospitable once the ice is broken. They take food and drink seriously — a quality meal or a well-chosen beer is a point of civic pride. They also have a strong tradition of self-deprecating humour, and are accustomed to outsiders knowing almost nothing specific about their country.