hi! Not discouraging others from answering, but FYI you'll find loads of info in these posts

general:

• How have the Netherlands and Belgium (and I guess Luxembourg) been able to stay independent for so long while stuck between land-hungry oft-warring countries.

• Belgian independence and its borders

• How was Belgium created

• Why are the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg independent?

some specific questions:

• How could the french-flemish language barrier in Belgium remain so distinct and sharp throughout the centuries?

• Why did Belgium and the Netherlands split in 1830, and when they did, why did Flanders go with Belgium?

All of these posts have been archived, so if you have follow-up questions, ask them here, tagging the user(s) to notify them