page_title: Belgian colonial empire
hierarchical_section_title: Belgian colonial empire
context_page_description: Belgium controlled two colonies during its history, the Belgian Congo from 1908 to 1960, and Ruanda-Urundi from 1922 to 1962. It also had a small concession in China, and was a co-administrator of the Tangier International Zone in Morocco.
  Roughly 98% of Belgium's overseas territory was just one colony — known as the Belgian Congo. This had originated as the personal property of the country's king, Leopold II, rather than being gained through the political or military action of the Belgian state. Sovereignty was transferred to Belgium in 1908.
context_section_description: Belgium controlled two colonies during its history, the Belgian Congo (modern DRC) from 1908 to 1960, and Ruanda-Urundi (Rwanda and Burundi) from 1922 to 1962. It also had a small concession in China, and was a co-administrator of the Tangier International Zone in Morocco.
  Roughly 98% of Belgium's overseas territory was just one colony (about 76 times larger than Belgium itself) — known as the Belgian Congo. This had originated as the personal property of the country's king, Leopold II, rather than being gained through the political or military action of the Belgian state. Sovereignty was transferred to Belgium in 1908.
caption: Map of Belgium's colonies at their maximum extent
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