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Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and the largest urban center in the country. Although the area of the city is inhabited since prehistoric times, the oldest known mention of Brussels dates back to the 10th century A.D., when it had the Dutch name Broeksel, which translates as "house in the swamp". During that era, the town was part of Lower Lotharingia, or Lower Lorraine, which later became known as the Duchy of Brabant. In the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries, Brussels grew and became one of the largest cities in the Duchy of Brabant. Its economy was based on the manufacture of luxury textiles, which were exported to markets in Paris, Venice, France and elsewhere. After many crises, reforms, changes in kingships and battles from the 15th to the 18th centuries, Belgium gained its independence and Brussels became the country's capital city in 1830. Despite the fact that it was under German occupation in both World Wars, Brussels managed to recover and after the end of the 2nd World War, it further bloomed by becoming the seat of the European Communities. In the 21st century, Brussels is firmly established as one of the major cities of Europe, in both economic and political terms, and remains so to this day.
