German-speaking Community of Belgium, German-speaking region in eastern Belgium
The German-speaking Community is an administrative entity in eastern Belgium that groups nine municipalities in the province of Liège. The territory sits along the border with Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and is governed by a parliament based in Eupen.
Belgium received this territory from the German Empire in 1920 after World War I. During World War II, the area was temporarily occupied by German forces.
Residents speak German in official settings but often use local dialects in daily conversation that vary from one town to another. In some villages you can still hear vernacular forms that differ strongly from standard German.
The municipalities are connected by country roads and sit in a hilly landscape with forests and meadows. Eupen is the central town with public institutions and shops.
This area holds broad autonomy in fields like energy, housing and municipal administration that were transferred directly from the Walloon region. As a result, the community has more decision-making powers than other language communities in Belgium.
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