THE GEOGRAPHY (Foreign Office UK)
Area: 30,520 sq km (Total: 30,510 sq
km; land: 30,230 sq km; water: 280 sq
km)
Population: 10,258,762
Capital City: Brussels (population:
970,000)
People:
0-14 years: 17.48% (M 917,957; F
876,029)
15-64 years: 65.57% (M 3,390,145; F
3,336,908)
64+ years: 16.95% (M 709,212; F
1,029,511)
Languages: Dutch 58%, French 32%,
German 10%
Religions: Roman Catholic 75%,
Protestant or Other 25%
Currency: euro (EUR)
Major political parties: VLD (Flemish
Liberals and Democrats); SP.A/SPIRIT
alliance (Dutch-speaking Socilaist Party
Different/Social, Progressive,
International, Regional, Integrally
democratic, Future-oriented); CD&V
(Flemish Christian Democrats); PS
(Francophone Socialist Party); VB
(far-right Flemish Nationalists); MR
(Reform Movement).
More information: Belgium Government
website
Government: Federal parliamentary
democracy under a constitutional
monarch.
GEOGRAPHY
Belgium is at the centre of Europe,
with the majority of West European
capitals within easy reach. The country
borders on the North Sea, between
France and the Netherlands. The
geographical centre of the EU lies at
Oignies-en-Thiérache in the Belgian
province of Namur.
Belgium enjoys a temperate climate
with moderate temperatures, winds
predominantly from the west, and
frequent rain showers. Belgium is a
country of beaches (it has around
65km of sandy beaches); fertile
farmland; forests; plateaus valleys; and
cities.
THE HISTORY (Foreign Office UK)
HISTORY
Recent History
Belgium suffered greatly during the
First World War and from the
international economic problems in the
years immediately afterwards. From
1936 the country followed a policy of
neutrality, but was invaded by the
Germans again in May 1940. King
Leopold III decided to surrender after
18 days, causing tension between the
monarchy and the government.
Following Belgium’s liberation, Leopold
III was forced to abdicate in favour of
his son Baudouin I, who remained on
the throne until his death in July 1993.
Baudouin was succeeded by his brother
Albert II, the sixth King of the Belgians.
In Belgium’s recent political history, a
number of reforms transformed
Belgium into a federal state, with
significant power devolved to the
regions. The political scene has been
dominated by economic questions and
increasing internationalisation. Belgium
played an important role in the
construction of the economic union
between Belgium and Luxembourg, the
Benelux and European unification.
Belgium has also regularly deployed
troops and observers in the cause of
peace throughout the world as a
member of the UN.
More information: Belgium Ministry of
Foreign Affairs
Longer Historical Perspective
Caesar called the Belgians the bravest
of all the peoples of Gaul. But Belgium
only became an independent country in
1830. Before that it was ruled by
almost all the great continental powers
at one time or other, from the
Austrians to the Spanish. The roots of
the linguistic split in Belgium go back to
the Germanic invasions of the third to
fifth centuries.
Belgium is also a former colonial power
and links with Central Africa, especially
Democratic Republic of Congo, remain
close.
THE ECONOMY (Foreign Office UK)
Basic Economic Facts
GDP: US$ 263.6 billion (2002)
GDP per head: US$ 25,840 (2002)
Budget balance/GDP ratio: +0.0%
Public debt/GDP ratio: 106.1%
Annual Growth: 0.7% (1% forecast for
2003, 1.8% for 2004)
Inflation: 1.6% (1.4% forecast for 2003)
Unemployment rate: 11.6% (6.9% based
on ILO’s standards)
Major Industries: Coal, basic metals,
chemicals, engineering and metal
products, motor vehicle assembly,
processed food and beverages.
Trade and Investment
Major trading partners: Germany,
Netherlands, France and UK.
Belgium’s external trade is
concentrated within the EU: 73% of its
exports are to EU partners, and 71% of
imports are from the EU.
The UK is Belgium’s fourth largest
supplier and fourth export market.
Belgium is the sixth largest market for
UK exports. In 2002, Belgian exports to
the UK amounted to ?21.9bn, whereas
Belgium’s imports from the UK
amounted to ?15.4bn.
Flags Of The World: België, Belgique, Belgien
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