Britain's divorce from the European Union becomes final at the end of 2020, bringing the curtain down on almost half a century of tumultuous membership. Its departure -- the first in the history of the EU -- follows a divisive referendum in 2016. Britain left the bloc on January 31 this year but it was bound by EU rules under a transition deal that ends on December 31. AFP will shortly be moving the following stories: Britain-EU-politics-trade,WRAP BRUSSELS The EU and Britain head into the final stretch of post-Brexit trade negotiations after months of bickering with hopes of agreeing a blueprint for their future, but failure remains on the table. 600 words by Alex Pigman. File picture. File video. Graphic Britain-EU-Brexit-politics-trade,Q&A LONDON A brave new world or a dangerous leap into the unknown? After nearly 50 years of integration with Europe, Britain starts an uncertain new chapter on January 1. 600 words by Jitendra Joshi Britain-EU politics-Brexit-future,FOCUS BRUSSELS British politicians often speak of Brexit as an opportunity to escape Brussels' shackles but does the divorce also free Europe to go its own way? 750 words by Dave Clark and Francoise Michel. Pile picture. Graphic Britain-EU-Brexit-politics-trade,CHRONO LONDON Here are milestones in the rocky process of Brexit, from Britain's shock vote to leave the European Union in 2016, to ongoing, fraught talks on a future trade relationship. 650 words Britain-EU-politics-Brexit citizens,FACTS BRUSSELS From January 1 British and EU citizens will be confronted with the reality of Brexit as the transition period ends and borders done away with decades ago return. 800 words by Marc Burleigh. Graphic Britain-EU-Brexit-politics-trade,PROFILE LONDON The key figures in Britain's years-long Brexit drama have changed over time, as politicians on both sides of the Channel have left or taken on other roles. 750 words by Joe Jackson Britain-EU-Brexit-politics-trade-NIreland,FACTS DUBLIN What will happen in Northern Ireland has been a vexed question ever since Britons voted to leave the European Union in 2016. This is what could happen from January 1, 2021. 600 words by Joe Stenson Britain-EU-Brexit-trade-Ireland,POINTS DUBLIN With talks between Britain and the EU in deadlock on a post-Brexit trade deal, we look at why so many roads to a settlement go through Dublin. 500 words afp