Belgium is a food lover’s dream and a beer lover’s heaven. Officially the Kingdom of Belgium is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organizations. Flat coastal plains in northwest, central-rolling hills, wooded hills and valleys of Ardennes Forest in southeast, surround the beautiful country. It is a small, highly developed country. Belgium's rich history has left impressive churches, town halls, castles and works of art, dating back to the early Middle Ages, spread around the cities and countryside. Belgium has possibly the highest "quality of life" in the world, as testified by its excellent food, housing, health care, education and infrastructure, its world records for high productivity and low poverty, and the appreciation of foreigners residing in Belgium.