Wallonia

Wallonia is the predominantly French-speaking southern region of Belgium, covering about one-third of the country's territory. It is characterized by its diverse landscape, including forests, rivers, and the Ardennes hills, and has a rich industrial history, especially in coal mining and steel production. Wallonia's economy now focuses on services, technology, and agribusiness. It has its own government responsible for regional affairs, but shares national institutions with Flanders (Dutch-speaking) and Brussels (bilingual). The region is known for its cultural heritage, historic towns, and contributions to Belgian identity.