|
Description Belgium by rbd.me
|
|
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
WebCam
|
|
Location
|
|
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
|
|
Area - comparative
|
|
about the size of Maryland
|
|
Natural resources Belgium
|
|
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
|
|
Population Belgium
|
|
10,423,493 (July 2010 est.)
|
|
Religions Belgium
|
|
Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
|
|
Languages
|
|
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
|
|
Education Belgium expenditures
|
|
6% of GDP (2004)
|
|
Government Belgium type
|
|
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
|
|
Independence
|
|
4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)
|
|
Belgium Economy - overview
|
|
$381 billion (2009 est.)
|
|
Investment Belgium
|
|
99% of GDP (2009 est.)
|
|
Industries Belgium
|
|
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
|
|
Airports Belgium
|
|
4.367 million (2009)
|
