Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg are grouped together as the Benelux countries, bordered by France to the south, and Germany to the east.
In 1947 the three countries formed the Benelux Customs Union, which led to the formation of the Benelux Economic Union in 1960.
The three Benelux nations were among the six founders of the European Economic Community in 1958, which has grown into the European Union.
Lots of international-based companies have one office for the Benelux, which is usually located in the Netherlands or Belgium.