A gold shield and a black lion appeared in the seal of Count Philip of Flanders as early as 1162, and in 1787 cockades of black-yellow-red were used in a Brussels revolt against Austria. After a war for independence, the flag was recognized on Jan. 23, 1831. By 1838 the design, which was influenced by the French tricolor, became standard.

Belgium Official name: Koninkrijk België (Dutch); Royaume de Belgique (French) (Kingdom of Belgium). Form of government: federal constitutional monarchy with a Parliament composed of two legislative chambers (Senate [71]; House of Representatives [150]). Chief of state: Monarch. Head of government: Prime Minister. Population (1998): 10,208,000. Population projection: (2000) 10,260,000; (2010) 10,149,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 1.0 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$268,633,000,000 (U.S.$26,440 per capita). Land use (1994): forest 21.3%; pasture 21.0%; agriculture 24.2%; other 33.5%.

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