BELGIUM is situated in Western Europe, and bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands, with a 69km (43mile) coastline in the Northwest, offering fine, sandy beaches with many holiday resorts, including Ostend and Zeebrugge.

The country has a varied landscape, much of which is rolling plains, and, to the East, the Ardennes, an area of forests, lakes, rivers, and gorges, with castles and grottoes.

The capital, Brussels, lies not only in the centre of the country, but also at the centre of the European Union. The main sights include the Grande Place, the Place Royale, the cathedral, and many good museums.

Lying close to the coast is the beautiful medieval city of Bruges, with its picturesque canal walks and boat trips.

Other interesting cities and towns include Antwerp, Ghent, Liege, and Tournai.

A seasonal climate; warm from May to September.