Kingdom of Belgium

COUNTRY NAME

• Conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium
• Conventional short form: Belgium
• Local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie
• Local short form: Belgique/Belgie

BELGIUM CAPITAL CITY

• Brussels is the capital city of Belgium.

BELGIUM CURRENCY

•  Euro is the official currency of Belgium.

ETYMOLOGY OF BELGIUM

• Belgium' derives its name from “Gallia Belgica”.
• “Gallia Belgica” was a Roman province in that was inhabited by the “Belgae” people of the ancient Gaul.
• Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries.
• These constituted a large part of the Benelux group of states.
• Belgium was a prosperous center from the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century.
• Many battles were fought in the region between the 15th and 17th century.
• As a result, Belgium was also known as "the battlefield of Europe” or "the cockpit of Europe”.

HISTORY OF BELGIUM

• Historically, Belgium formed part of the Roman province of Belgica.
• The Belgae, people of ancient Gaul were the original inhabitants of the region.
• The province was conquered by Julius Caesar in 57–50 B.C.
• The Franks took over the area in the 5th century A.D.
• Belgica was part of Charlemagne's empire in the 8th century.
• It was absorbed into Lotharingia and the duchy of Lower Lorraine in the 9th century.
• In the 12th century, Belgium was partitioned into two different duchies- Brabant and Luxembourg.
• In the 15th century, the Low Countries were included in the duchy of Burgundy and inherited by Emperor Charles V.
• Philippe II, king of Spain took over the kingdom in 1555 after the abdication of Emperor Charles V.
• The northern region gained independence in the late 16th century.
• The Southern region gained independence from the Spanish rule in 1713.
• The country was subsequently transferred to Austria.
• Belgium was occupied and annexed to France after the French Revolution.
• In 1815, the Congress of Vienna reunited the Low Countries under the rule of the king of Holland.
• Belgium opposed Dutch rule and declared independence in 1830.
• Independence was granted by Europe at the London Conference of 1830–1831.
• In 1914, Germany's invasion of Belgium led to World War I.
• The Treaty of Versailles in 1919 granted Eupen, Malmédy, and Moresnet to Belgium.
• In 1934, King Albert was succeeded by Leopold III.
• Leopold III was held prisoner when Belgium was invaded by the Nazis during the World War II. His return to the throne in 1950 was followed by widespread riots.
• He was succeeded by his son Baudouin after his abdication on July 16, 1951.
• Belgium granted independence to the Congo in 1960 and to Ruanda-Urundi in 1962.
• Brussels has established itself as the de facto capital of the European Union since 1958.
• In 1994, a revised constitution turned Belgium into a federal state with significant autonomy for its three regions and linguistic communities.
• An interim coalition government was formed in December 2007.

DEMOGRAPHICS OF BELGIUM

• 92% of the population consists of Belgian citizens.
• 6% of the population is made up of immigrants from Italy, France, Morocco, Spain, Germany, Turkey and Netherlands.
• 97% of the population is concentrated in urban areas.
• The population density of Belgium is one of the highest in Europe.
• Dutch is the most widely spoken language in Belgium.
• Many Flemish people speak local dialects of Dutch.
• Walloon, an old regional language is still understood by some elderly people but is no longer in common use.
• Picard, another regional language is also not used publicly.
• Dutch (Flemish), French and German are the country’s three official languages.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS AT BELGIUM

• Belgium is run by a federal parliamentary democratic government under a constitutional monarchy.
• Currently the government is divided into federal, regional, and linguistic community levels.
• The administrative divisions consist of ten provinces and three regions.
• The ten provinces are: Antwerp, East Flanders, Limburg, Flemish Brabant, West Flanders, Five provinces in the Wallonia region, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut, Leige, Luxembourg and Namur.
• The three regions are Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia.
• The provincial government of Belgium declared independence from the Netherlands on 4 October, 1830.
• King Leopold I ascended the throne on 21 July, 1831.
• 21 July is observed as a national holiday.
• The Constitution was founded on 7 February 1831 and subsequently amended many times.
• The Constitution was revised on 14 July 1993 to create a federal state.
• The legal system is based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory and involves judicial review of legislative acts.
• Belgium accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations.
• The monarch (King Albert II) is the chief of state.
• The prime minister is the head of government.
• The Cabinet consists of a Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch.
• The monarch is hereditary and constitutional.
• The leader of the majority party or coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament following a legislative election.
• The legislative branch is represented by a bicameral Parliament consisting of a Senate and a Chamber of Deputies.
• The judicial branch is represented by the Supreme Court of Justice.
• Judges are appointed on a permanent basis by the government.

BELGIUM CULTURE

• The three language communities in Belgium are socially and culturally isolated from each other.
• The communities lack a common platform and representative body.
• Roman Catholicism is the common element shared by all communities.
• Roman Catholicism has an important role in the country’s politics.
• Belgium has a secular society.
• Protestant, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are followed by minorities.
• Recently, major artistic movements in Belgium have had tremendous influence on European art and culture.
• Belgian culture is rich in art forms such as Mosan art, Early Netherlandish, the Flemish Renaissance and Baroque painting.
• Examples of historical architectural forms like Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture can also be found.
• The nineteenth and twentieth centuries produced many notable romantic, expressionist and surrealist Belgian painters.
• The vocal music of the Franco-Flemish School was an important contribution to Renaissance culture.
• Belgium has also been home to several literary figures, poets and authors.
• Many Flemish novels have also been made into movies.
• Folklore is an important part of Belgian culture.
• Festivals and celebrations usually involve processions, cavalcades, parades, 'ommegangs' and 'ducasses' and 'kermesse'.
• The Carnival of Binche and the 'Processional Giants and Dragons' are recognized by UNESCO as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
• Most events and festivals have a religious background.
• Saint Nicholas Day is observed as an unofficial holiday.
• Soccer and cycling are the most popular sports.
• The Spa-Francorchamps motor-racing circuit hosts the Formula One World Championship Belgian Grand Prix.
• Belgian cuisine is popular all over the world.
• The food is a blend of Germanic and Latin styles.
• “French Fries” first originated in Belgium.
• Brands of Belgian chocolate and pralines like Côte d'Or,Callebaut, Leonidas,Neuhaus, Guylian and Godiva are famous all over the world.
• Belgium has the largest beer brewery in the world and produces over 500 varieties of beer.

ECONOMY OF BELGIUM

• Belgium has a modern, private –enterprise economy.
• A favorable geographical location, a highly developed transport network and a strong industrial based have contributed to the nation’s economical development.
• Most industrial based are located in the northern region.
• Since most raw materials must be imported, Belgium’s economy is largely dependent on the state of world markets.
• The larger part of trade is carried out with other European countries.
• Income distribution is relatively uniform equal in Belgium.
• Recently, economic growth has slowed down due to credit tightening, falling consumer and business confidence, and above average inflation.
• The GDP (purchasing power parity) as calculated in 2007 was $376 billion.
• 7.5% of the population is unemployed.
• 15.2% of the population is below poverty line.
• Agricultural products include sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco, beef, veal, pork and milk.
• The main industries are engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass and petroleum.
• Export commodities include machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metal products and foodstuffs.
• Import commodities include machinery and equipment, diamonds, chemicals, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, transportation equipment and oil products.

INFRASTRUCTURE OF BELGIUM

• The telecommunication system is highly developed, modernized and advanced.
• Mobile cellular services are widespread and extensive.
• There are 86 radio broadcast stations and 25 television broadcast stations.
• Internet facilities are well established and readily available.
• Belgium has 43 airports of which 27 have paved runways.
• The railway network covers an area of 3,536 km.
• Roadways span over 150,567 km.
• Belgium’s merchant marine is equipped with 68 ships.
• The main ports and terminals are located in Antwerp, Gent, Liege and Zeebrugge.

EDUCATION IN BELGIUM

• Education is compulsory upto the age of eighteen.
• Many students enroll for higher education after secondary education.
• 98% of the adult population is literate.
• Education in Belgium is ranked 19th best in the world.
• General education is usually secular in nature.
• Catholic branch education is imparted by  religious authorities under community supervision.

 BELGIUM NEIGHBOUR COUNTRIES

Belgium is surrounded by:

• France
• Netherlands
• Germany
• Luxembourg
• North Sea

BELGIUM GEOGRAPHICAL SETTINGS

• Belgium is located in Western Europe.
• Its geographical coordinates are 50 50 N, 4 00 E.
• Belgium covers a total area of 30,528 sq km.
• The coastline is 66.5 km long.
• The climate is mostly temperate with mild winters and cool summers.
• The terrain comprises of flat coastal plains in the northwest.
• The southeast has central rolling hills and rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest.
• The highest point is Signal de Botrange standing at 694 m.
• Natural resources include construction materials, silica sand and carbonates.
• 27.42% of the land is arable.
• Flooding of river banks and reclaimed coastal areas is common.
• Coastal land is protected from the sea by concrete dikes.

BELGIUM FREEDOM

• Belgium came under the independent rule of King Leopold I on 21 July, 1831.

NOTABLE PEOPLE FROM THE BELGIUM COUNTRY

• Akarova (1904—1991)- dancer, choreographer and artist
• Chantal Akerman (born 1950) - filmmaker and director
• Pierre Alechinsky (born 1927) - artist
• Patrick Bauchau (born 1938) - actor
• Plastic Bertrand (Roger Jouret) (born 1958) - rock artist
• Thierry Boutsen (born 1957) - Formula One driver
• Liz Claiborne (1929–2007) - fashion designer
• Georges Grün (born 1962) - football (soccer) defender
• Audrey Hepburn (1929–1993) – Hollywood actress and model
• Hergé (Georges Remi) (1907–1983) - comics writer, creator of The Adventures of Tintin
• Jacky Ickx (born 1945), racing driver
• Edgar P. Jacobs (1904–1987) - comics writer
• Richard Jonckheere (born 1965) - musician
• Vincent Kompany (born 1986) - football (soccer) player
• Henri La Fontaine (1854–1943) – Lawyer and Nobel Laureate Camille Lemonnier (1844–1913) - writer
• Claude Lévi-Strauss (born 1908)- anthropologist
• Axel Merckx (born 1972) - cyclist
• Constantin Meunier (1831–1905) - painter and sculptor
• Brian Molko (born 1972)- lead singer of Placebo
• Paul Nougé (1895–1967)- surrealist poet and philosopher
• Peyo (Pierre Culliford) (1928–1992)- illustrator and creator of the Smurfs
• The Singing Nun (Jeanine Deckers) (1933–1985) - singer
• Toots Thielemans (born 1922)- jazz musician
• Philippe Thys (1890–1971) - cyclist and three-time winner of the Tour de France.
• Ivo Van Damme (1854–1976)- athlete
• Jean-Claude Van Damme (born 1960)- actor
• Jan Baptist van Helmont (1579–1644)- chemist, physiologist and physician
• Geert van Istendael (born 1947)- writer
• Franky Vercauteren (born 1956)- football player
• Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564) - anatomist and author of “On the Workings of the Human Body”.

BELGIUM COUNTRY FAMOUS FOR

• Belgian cuisine, chocolates and beers are popular all over the world.
• Carnivals and festivities are a major tourist attraction.

BELGIUM TOTAL POPULATION

• According to a 2008 census, the total population was estimated to be 10,403,951.
• The annual population growth rate is 0.106% (2008 est.).
• Birth rate: 10.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
• Death rate: 10.38 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

PREVIOUS RECORDS MEDALS FOR BELGIUM

• Belgium has been competing at the Olympic Games since 1900.
• The 1920 Summer Olympics were hosted by Belgium in Antwerp.
• Belgian athletes have won 137 medals at the Summer Olympic Games.
• The country has won five medals at the Winter Olympic Games.
• Belgium’s Olympic record is as follows:

Medals by Summer Games

Medals by Winter Games