Brave and proud, that’s Belgium. Germany invaded France twice during the 20th century, in 1914 and again in 1940, and both times the Germans chose to go through Belgium to get to France. Belgium could have stood aside and allowed the Germans to pass unmolested, but both times the Belgians decided to put up a fight. Hey, I didn’t say they were smart.

Despite being one of the smallest, and one of the newest countries in Europe (founded in 1839), the Belgian people have a long and proud history. The richness of the culture is especially manifest in the Gothic art and architecture of cities like Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp.

The country is also known for good food. They invented Fries (they should be called Belgian Fries, not French Fries). They produce some of the best beer in the world. And they also blend sinfully rich chocolate. It’s said that Belgians eat as well as the French, and as much as the Germans.