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Ac Hotel Arlon
       ... Messancy,
Ac Hotel Leuven
       ... Heverlee,
Ac Hotel Wavre Nord Bruxelles Est
       ... Wavre,
Academie Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Albergo
       ... Brussels,
Alma Grand Place Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Ambassador
       ... Antwerp,
Andromeda Hotel & Thalassa
       ... Ostend,
Anselmus Hotel
       ... Brugge,
Antwerp Diamond Hotel
       ... Antwerp,
Antwerp Hilton
       ... Antwerpen,
Apollo Arthotel Brugge
       ... Bruges,
Aragon Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Arass Suite Inn - The Lounge
       ... Brussels,
Aris Grand Place Hotel Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Aristote Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Arte Hotel
       ... Genk,
Astrid Centre Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Atlanta
       ... Antwerp,
Atlas
       ... Brussels,
Auberge Autrichienne
       ... Brussels,
Auberge Du Moulin Hideux
       ... Noirefontaine,
Axl Flat
       ... Brussels,
Azalea Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Be Manos
       ... Brussels,
Bedford Hotel & Congress Centre
       ... Brussels,
Bedford Hotel Liege
       ... Liege,
Begijnhof Congres Hotel
       ... Leuven,
Best Western Aero 44
       ... Gosselies,
Best Western Ambassador Htl
       ... Menen,
Best Western Chamade
       ... Gent,
Best Western Gulden Anker
       ... Mechelen,
Best Western Hotel Acacia
       ... Bruges,
Best Western Hotel Alize
       ... Mouscron,
Best Western Hotel Arlux
       ... Arlon,
Best Western Hotel Atlantis
       ... Genk,
Best Western Hotel Belfort
       ... Kortrijk West Vlaand,
Best Western Hotel Cour St. Georg
       ... Gent,
Best Western Hotel Imperial
       ... Oostende,
Best Western Hotel Orchidee
       ... Aalter,
Best Western Hotel Restaurant L A ...
       ... Spa,
Best Western Klokkenhof
       ... Brasschaat,
Best Western La Villa Des Fleu
       ... Spa,
Best Western New Hotel
       ... Namur,
Best Western Post Hotel
       ... Herstal,
Best Western Premier Hotel Carref ...
       ... Brussels,
Best Western Premier Hotel Navarr
       ... Bruges,
Best Western Premier Parkhotel
       ... Brussels,
Best Western Premier Sodehotel La ...
       ... Brussels,
Best Western Premier Weinebrugge
       ... Bruges,
Best Western Richmond Thonnon
       ... Blankenberge,
Best Western Richmond-thonnon
       ... Blankenberge,
Best Western Royal Centre
       ... Brussels,
Best Western Sirius
       ... Huy,
Best Western Univers Hotel
       ... Liege,
Best Western Wavre Hotel
       ... Wavre,
Binnenhof Hotel
       ... Leuven,
Boathotel De Barge
       ... Bruges,
Bristol Stephanie
       ... Brussels,
Britselei 37
       ... Antwerp,
Brugotel
       ... Bruges,
Brussels Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Bryghia Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Bw Ambassador Hotel Bosten
       ... Eupen,
Bw Axis Hotel
       ... Kortenberg,
Bw Casteau Resort S A
       ... Casteau,
Bw Classic Hotel Villa Mozart
       ... Antwerp,
Bw County House Of Brussels
       ... Square Des Heros,
Bw Flanders Lodge
       ... Ieper,
Bw Hassotel Nv
       ... Hasselt,
Bw Hotel Le Lido
       ... Rixensart Brussels,
Bw Hotel Les 3 Cles
       ... Gembloux,
Bw Hotel Lido
       ... Mons,
Bw Hotel Melba
       ... Bastogne,
Bw Hotel Pax
       ... Diksmuide,
Bw Hotel Restaurant Cortina
       ... Wevelgem,
Bw Hotel Restaurant L Auberge
       ... Spa,
Bw Hotel Serwir
       ... Sint Niklaas,
Bw Hotel Ter Elst
       ... Edegem,
Bw L Amandier
       ... Libramont,
Bw La Porte De France
       ... Bouillon,
Bw Leonardo Charleroi
       ... Charleroi,
Bw Premier Keizershof Hotel
       ... Aalst,
Campanile Hotel Antwerpen
       ... Antwerp,
Campanile Hotel Brugge
       ... Bruges,
Campanile Hotel Brussel - Vilvoor
       ... Vilvoorde,
Campanile Hotel Brussels - Airpor
       ... Zaventem,
Campanile Hotel Brussels South
       ... Drogenbos,
Campanile Hotel Gent
       ... Ghent,
Capital
       ... Brussels,
Carlton Hotel
       ... Antwerp,
Cascade Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Catalonia Forum Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Charleroi Airport Hotel
       ... Charleroi,
Chateau Du Lac Hotel
       ... Genval,
Chelton Hotel
       ... Bruxelles,
Citadines Apart'hotel Brussels Sa ...
       ... Brussels,
Citadines Apart'hotel Brussels To ...
       ... Brussels,
Comfort Hotel Art Siru
       ... Brussels,
Conrad Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Corsendonk Priory Hotel
       ... Oud Turnhout,
Courtyard By Marriott Brussels
       ... Brussel,
De France Hotel
       ... Brussels,
De Keyser Hotel
       ... Antwerp,
De Linde
       ... Retie,
Diamond Princess Hotel
       ... Antwerp,
Die Swaene
       ... Bruges,
Docklands Hotel
       ... Antwerpen,
Dolce La Hulpe Brussels
       ... La Hulpe,
Dorint Resort Spa Balmoral
       ... Spa,
Eden Hotel
       ... Antwerp,
Egmont Hotel
       ... Mechelen,
Empire Hotel
       ... Ostende,
Empire Hotel
       ... Antwerp,
Euro Capital Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Europ Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Eurostar Grand Place
       ... Brussels,
Eurostars Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Eurostars Grand Place Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Eurostars Montgomery Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Eurostars Sablon
       ... Brussel,
Eurovillage Ardennes
       ... Herbeumont,
Exclusive Duc De Bourgogne
       ... Brugge,
Exclusive Oud Huis Amsterdam
       ... Brugge,
Executive Apts Brussels
       ... Brussels,
First Euroflat Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Flanders Hotel
       ... Brugge,
Fletcher Hotel Antwerpen
       ... Antwerp,
Fletcher Hotel Keyserlei
       ... Antwerp,
Floris Arlequin Grand Place
       ... Brussels,
Floris Louise
       ... Brussels,
Four Points By Sheraton Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Ghent River Hotel
       ... Gent,
Golden Tree Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Golden Tulip Antwerp Centre
       ... Antwerp,
Golden Tulip De Medici Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Gosset Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Grand Hotel Waterloo
       ... Waterloo,
Gravensteen Hotel
       ... Ghent,
Gresham Belson Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Hampshire Classic Van Eyck
       ... Maaseik,
Hampshire Hotel Eurotel
       ... Lanaken,
Hampshire Inn Brussels Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Hampshire Inn Ecu Genk
       ... Genk,
Hans Memling Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Hilton Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Hilton Brussels City Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Hostellerie Le Ry D'ave
       ... Rochefort,
Hotel Agora
       ... Antwerp,
Hotel Argus
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Astoria
       ... Gent,
Hotel Astoria
       ... Antwerp,
Hotel Beau Site
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Beauregard
       ... Namur,
Hotel Belmont
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Bloom
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Bourgoensch-hof
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Cafú Pacific
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Cammerpoorte
       ... Antwerp,
Hotel Cathedrale
       ... Tournai,
Hotel Centrale
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Chambord
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Chantecler
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Chôteau De Limelette
       ... Limelette,
Hotel Colombus
       ... Antwerpen,
Hotel Corsendonk Viane
       ... Turnhout,
Hotel De Castillion
       ... Bruges,
Hotel De Fierlant
       ... Brussels,
Hotel De Flandre
       ... Ghent,
Hotel De Goezeput
       ... Bruges,
Hotel De Orangerie
       ... Bruges,
Hotel De Stokerij
       ... Oudenburg,
Hotel De Tassche
       ... Bruges,
Hotel De Tuilerieen - A Small Lux ...
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Des Colonies
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Du Congres
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Erasme
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Eurohotel
       ... Blankenberge,
Hotel Europe
       ... Ostende,
Hotel Florida
       ... Antwerp,
Hotel Floris Avenue
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Floris Grand-place
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Harmony
       ... Ghent,
Hotel Heritage
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Het Gheestelic Hof
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Husa President Park
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Ibis Kortrijk Centrum
       ... Kortrijk,
Hotel Karos
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Le Dome
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Manos Stephanie
       ... Drogenbos - Bruxelles,
Hotel Memling
       ... Aalter,
Hotel Monasterium
       ... Ghent,
Hotel Neufchatel
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Olympia
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Oud Huis De Peellaert
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Plaza Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Portinari
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Prins Boudewijn
       ... Knokke-heist,
Hotel Prinsenhof
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Relais Bourgondisch Cruyce
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Reyers
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Royal Astor
       ... Oostende,
Hotel Scandinavia
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Silken Berlaymont Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Hotel 't Koffieboontje
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Ter Kade
       ... Ostende,
Hotel Ter Reien
       ... Bruges,
Hotel Vendome
       ... Brussels,
Hotel Walburg
       ... Bruges,
Housing Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Ibis Brussels Centre Gare Midi
       ... Brussels,
Ibis Brussels Ctr St Catherine
       ... Brussels,
Ibis Leuven Centrum
       ... Leuven,
Ibis Liege Centre Opera
       ... Liege,
Ibis Liege Seraing
       ... Boncelles,
Izan Avenue Louise
       ... Brussels,
Jan Brito
       ... Bruges,
Jolly Hotel Du Grand Sablon
       ... Brussels,
Kempinski Hotel Dukes Palace
       ... Bruges,
Klooster Hotel
       ... Leuven,
La Caleche
       ... Durbuy,
La Madeleine
       ... Brussels,
Lambermont Hotel
       ... Brussel,
Lambermont Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Le Centenaire
       ... Brussels,
Le Chatelain All Suite Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Le Dixseptieme
       ... Brussels,
Le Frederiksborg
       ... Brussels,
Le Meridien Bruxelles
       ... Brussels,
Leonardo Hotel Brugge
       ... Brugge,
Leopold Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Louise Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Maison Du Dragon
       ... Brussels,
Manoir Du Lac
       ... Brussels,
Manos Hotel Stephanie
       ... Brussels,
Marriott Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Marriott Ghent Hotel
       ... Ghent,
Martin's Brugge
       ... Bruges,
Martin's Central Park
       ... Brussels,
Mas Residence
       ... Brussels,
Mercure Brussels Airport 3
       ... Brussels,
Mercure Castel Pont A Lesse 3
       ... Dinant,
Mercure Liege Centre 3
       ... Liege,
Mercure Louvain La Neuve 3
       ... Louvain La Neuve,
Metropole Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Mirabeau
       ... Brussels,
Montanus Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Monty Small Design Hotel
       ... Brussels,
New Astoria Hotel
       ... Ostende,
New Hotel Charlemagne
       ... Brussels,
New Prince De Liege
       ... Brussels,
Nh Atlanta
       ... Brussels,
Nh Brugge
       ... Brugge,
Nh Brussels Airport
       ... Diegem,
Nh Brussels City Centre
       ... Brussels,
Nh Genk
       ... Genk,
Nh Gent
       ... Ghent Belguim,
Nh Gent Belfort
       ... Gent,
Nh Grand Place Arenberg
       ... Brussels,
Nh Mechelen
       ... Mechelen,
Nh Stephanie
       ... Brussels,
Novotel Antwerpen
       ... Antwerpen,
Novotel Brugge Centrum
       ... Brugge,
Novotel Brussels Airport
       ... Diegem,
Novotel Brussels Centre
       ... Brussels,
Novotel Brussels Grand Place
       ... Brussels,
Novotel Gent Centrum
       ... Gent,
Novotel Ieper Centrum
       ... Ieper,
Novotel Leuven Centrum
       ... Leuven,
Ocean Resort
       ... Blankenberge,
Opera Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Orts
       ... Brussels,
Park Inn, Liege Airport
       ... Grace-hollogne,
Park Plaza Astrid Antwerp
       ... Antwerp,
Pegasus Apparthotel
       ... Brimbergen,
Pegasus Apparthotel Brussels
       ... Brussels,
Plaza Hotel
       ... Antwerp,
Premiere Classe Liege / Luik
       ... Liege,
Prinse Hotel
       ... Antwerp,
Progress Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Pullman Brussels Airport
       ... Diegem,
Queen Anne Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Radisson Sas Balmoral Hotel Spa
       ... Spa,
Radisson Sas Eu Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Radisson Sas Hotel
       ... Hasselt,
Radisson Sas Palace Hotel Spa
       ... Spa,
Radisson Sas Park Lane Hotel Antw
       ... Antwerp,
Radisson Sas Royal Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Ramada Plaza Antwerp
       ... Antwerp,
Relais Oud Huis Amsterdam
       ... Bruges,
Relais Ravestein
       ... Bruges,
Renaissance Brussels Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Residence Florence
       ... Brussels,
Residence Hotel
       ... Antwerpen,
Rijckendael Hotel
       ... Brussels,
Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo
       ... Brussels,
Rosenburg Hotel
       ... Bruges,
Royal Windsor Hotel Grand'place
       ... Brussels,
Rubens-grote Markt
       ... Antwerp,
Saint Nicolas Hotel
       ... Brussels,


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Map of Belgium
Map of Belgium by Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

The Cloth Market, Ieper (Ypre) in West Flanders Provence.

Quite Stunning! At the very heart of Ieper (Ypres in English) is the historic and interesting Cloth Market.

It is the host to the many, many visitors that come to Flanders too visit the famous Menin Gate.

I Doubt if you will receive a warmer welcome anywhere in Europe.







The Cloth Market, Ieper (Ypres) Enlarge Pic
Map of Belgium Belgium Flag of Belgium
   Introduction   Geography   People   Government   Economy   Communications   Transportation   Military   Transnational Issues  

Belgium    Introduction Top of Page
Background: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has 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.
Belgium    Geography Top of Page
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total:  30,510 sq km

land:  30,230 sq km

water:  280 sq km
Area - comparative: about the size of Maryland
Land boundaries: total:  1,385 km

border countries:  France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Coastline: 66 km
Maritime claims: continental shelf:  median line with neighbors

exclusive fishing zone:  median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)

territorial sea:  12 NM
Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Elevation extremes: lowest point:  North Sea 0 m

highest point:  Signal de Botrange 694 m
Natural resources: coal, natural gas
Land use: arable land:  24%

permanent crops:  1%

permanent pastures:  20%

forests and woodland:  21%

other:  34%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Environment - current issues: the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have impeded progress in tackling environmental challenges
Environment - international agreements: party to:  Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:  Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Geography - note: crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of both the EU and NATO
Belgium    People Top of Page
Population: 10,258,762 (July 2001 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years:  17.48% (male 916,957; female 876,029)

15-64 years:  65.57% (male 3,390,145; female 3,336,908)

65 years and over:  16.95% (male 709,212; female 1,029,511) (2001 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.16% (2001 est.)
Birth rate: 10.74 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Death rate: 10.1 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)
Sex ratio: at birth:  1.05 male(s)/female

under 15 years:  1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years:  1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over:  0.69 male(s)/female

total population:  0.96 male(s)/female (2001 est.)
Infant mortality rate: 4.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population:  77.96 years

male:  74.63 years

female:  81.46 years (2001 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.61 children born/woman (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.15% (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,700 (1999 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: less than 100 (1999 est.)
Nationality: noun:  Belgian(s)

adjective:  Belgian
Ethnic groups: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
Languages: Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Literacy: definition:  age 15 and over can read and write

total population:  98%

male:  NA%

female:  NA%
Belgium    Government Top of Page
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
Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch
Capital: Brussels
Administrative divisions: 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Flemish: provincien, singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams Brabant, West-Vlaanderen; note - the Brussels Capitol Region is not included within the 10 provinces
Independence: 21 July 1831 (from the Netherlands)
National holiday: Independence Day, 21 July (1831)
Constitution: 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state
Legal system: civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state:  King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch

head of government:  Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999)

cabinet:  Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament

elections:  none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch and then approved by Parliament

note:  government coalition - VLD, PRL, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO
Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

elections:  Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 13 June 1999 (next to be held in NA 2003)

election results:  Senate - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, CVP 14.7%, PRL 10.6%, PS 9.7%, VB 9.4%, SP 8.9%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.1%, PSC 6.0%, VU 5.1%; seats by party - VLD 11, CVP 10, PS 10, PRL 9, VB 6, SP 6, ECOLO 6, AGALEV 5, PSC 5, VU 3; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 14.3%, CVP 14.1%, PS 10.2%, PRL 10.1%, VB 9.9%, SP 9.5%, ECOLO 7.4%, AGALEV 7.0%, PSC 5.9%, VU 5.6%; seats by party - VLD 23, CVP 22, PS 19, PRL 18, VB 15, SP 14, ECOLO 11, PSC 10, AGALEV 9, VU 8, FN 1

note:  as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see Political parties and leaders
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders: AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dos GEYSELS]; ECOLO (Francophone Greens) [no president]; Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP (Christian People's Party) [Stefaan DE CLERCK, president]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT, president]; Flemish Socialist Party or SP [Patrick JANSSENS, president]; Francophone Christian Democrats or PSC (Social Christian Party) [Joelle MILQUET, president]; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party or PRL [Daniel DUCARME, president]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO, president]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; Volksunie or VU [leader vacant]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders: Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
International organization participation: ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission:  Ambassador Alexis REYN

chancery:  3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone:  [1] (202) 333-6900

FAX:  [1] (202) 333-3079

consulate(s) general:  Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission:  Ambassador (vacant)

embassy:  27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels

mailing address:  PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710

telephone:  [32] (2) 508-2111

FAX:  [32] (2) 511-2725
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France
Belgium    Economy Top of Page
Economy - overview: This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north, although the government is encouraging investment in the southern region of Wallonia. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Belgium's public debt is expected to fall below 100% of GDP in 2002, and the government has succeeded in balancing is budget. Belgium became a charter member of the European Monetary Union (EMU) in January 1999. Economic growth in 2000 was broad based, putting the government in a good position to pursue its energy market liberalization policies and planned tax cuts.
GDP: purchasing power parity - $259.2 billion (2000 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: 4.1% (2000 est.)
GDP - per capita: purchasing power parity - $25,300 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture:  1.4%

industry:  26%

services:  72.6% (2000 est.)
Population below poverty line: 4%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:  3.7%

highest 10%:  20.2% (1992)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2000 est.)
Labor force: 4.34 million (1999)
Labor force - by occupation: services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.4% (2000 est.)
Budget: revenues:  $114.8 billion

expenditures:  $117 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.6 billion (1999)
Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
Industrial production growth rate: 5.5% (2000 est.)
Electricity - production: 79.829 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel:  40.01%

hydro:  0.42%

nuclear:  58.33%

other:  1.24% (1999)
Electricity - consumption: 75.089 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - exports: 8.207 billion kWh (1999)
Electricity - imports: 9.055 billion kWh (1999)
Agriculture - products: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Exports: $181.4 billion (f.o.b., 2000)
Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products
Exports - partners: EU 76% (Germany 18%, France 18%, Netherlands 12%, UK 10%) (1999)
Imports: $166 billion (c.i.f., 2000)
Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products
Imports - partners: EU 71% (Germany 18%, Netherlands 17%, France 14%, UK 9%) (1999)
Debt - external: $28.3 billion (1999 est.)
Economic aid - donor: ODA, $764 million (1997)
Currency: Belgian franc (BEF); euro (EUR)

note:  on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Belgium at a fixed rate of 40.3399 Belgian francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
Currency code: BEF; EUR
Exchange rates: euros per US dollar - 1.0659 (January 2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Belgian francs per US dollar - 34.77 (January 1999), 36.229 (1998), 35.774 (1997), 30.962 (1996)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Belgium    Communications Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use: 4.769 million (1997)
Telephones - mobile cellular: 974,494 (1997)
Telephone system: general assessment:  highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities

domestic:  nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network

international:  5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat
Radio broadcast stations: FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios: 8.075 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations: 25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Televisions: 4.72 million (1997)
Internet country code: .be
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 61 (2000)
Internet users: 2.7 million (2000)
Belgium    Transportation Top of Page
Railways: total:  3,437 km (2,446 km electrified; 2,563 km double track)

standard gauge:  3,437 km 1.435-m gauge (1998)
Highways: total:  145,774 km

paved:  116,182 km (including 1,674 km of expressways)

unpaved:  29,592 km (1999)
Waterways: 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)
Pipelines: crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km
Ports and harbors: Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
Merchant marine: total:  21 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 32,912 GRT/53,161 DWT

ships by type:  cargo 6, chemical tanker 9, petroleum tanker 6 (2000 est.)
Airports: 42 (2000 est.)
Airports - with paved runways: total:  24

over 3,047 m:  6

2,438 to 3,047 m:  8

1,524 to 2,437 m:  3

914 to 1,523 m:  1

under 914 m:  6 (2000 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total:  18

914 to 1,523 m:  2

under 914 m:  16 (2000 est.)
Heliports: 1 (2000 est.)
Belgium    Military Top of Page
Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie, Medical Service
Military manpower - military age: 19 years of age
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49:  2,517,596 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49:  2,079,624 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males:  63,247 (2001 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure: $2.5 billion (FY01)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.2% (FY99)
Belgium    Transnational Issues Top of Page
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe


WikiPedia Information About Belgium

Information from the WikiPedia.Com Website for Belgium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Export/Belgium
/_TheTownGuide/Index_Layout_Leaders_wiki_Process.xsl

{{Redirect
Belgian}} {{About
the country}} {{Infobox Country
native_name = ''Koninkrijk België'' {{nl icon}}
''Royaume de Belgique'' {{fr icon}}
''Königreich Belgien'' {{de icon}}
conventional_long_name = Kingdom of Belgium
common_name = Belgium
image_flag = Flag of Belgium.svg
image_coat = Greater Coat of Arms of Belgium.svg
symbol_type = Coat of arms
national_motto = {{Audio
Nl-Eendracht maakt macht.ogg
''Eendracht maakt macht''}}{{spaces
2}}(Dutch language
Dutch)
''L'union fait la force''{{spaces
2}}(French language
French)
''Einigkeit macht stark''{{spaces
2}}(German language
German)
"Strength through Unity" (lit.

"Unity makes Strength")
image_map = EU-Belgium.svg
map_caption = {{map caption
location_color=dark green
region=Europe
region_color=dark grey
subregion=the European Union
subregion_color=light green
legend=EU-Belgium.svg}}
national_anthem = The Brabançonne
The "Brabançonne"
official_languages = Dutch language
Dutch, French language
French, German language
German
demonym = Demographics of Belgium
Belgian
capital = Brussels (municipality)
Brussels
latd = 50
latm = 51
latNS = N
longd = 4
longm = 21
longEW = E
largest_settlement_type = metropolitan area
largest_settlement = Brussels Capital Region
government_type = Federal constitutional monarchy
Federal parliamentary system
parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy[https:/ /www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/be.html CIA – The World Factbook – Government of Belgium]
leader_title1 = Belgian monarchy
King
leader_title2 = List of Prime Ministers of Belgium
Prime Minister
leader_title3 =
leader_name1 = Albert II of Belgium
Albert II
leader_name2 = Yves Leterme
area_km2 = 30,528
area_sq_mi = 11,787
area_rank = 139th
area_magnitude = 1 E10
percent_water = 6ǐ
population_estimate = 10,827,519{{cite web
url =http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm /table.do?tab=table&language=en&pcode=tps00001 &tableSelection=1&footnotes=yes&labeling=labels&plugin=1
title=Total population as of 1 January
publisher=Eurostat
accessdate=2010-02-09}}
population_estimate_year = 1Ǎ񰲺
population_estimate_rank = 76th
population_census = 10,296,350
population_census_year = 2001
population_density_km2 = 354Ǔ
population_density_rank = 33rd
population_density_sq_mi = 918ǒ
GDP_PPP_year = 2008
GDP_PPP = $389뛉 billion{{cite web
url=http://www&# 46imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2009/02/weodata /weorept.aspx?sy=2006&ey=2009&scsm=1&ssd=1&sor t=country&ds=.&br=1&c=124&s=NGDPD%2CNGDPDPC%2C PPPGDP%2CPPPPC%2CLP&grp=0&a=&pr.x=64&pr.y=12
title=Belgium
publisher=International Monetary Fund
accessdate=2009-10-01}}
GDP_PPP_rank = 29th
GDP_PPP_per_capita = $36,415
GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 18th
GDP_nominal_year = 2008
GDP_nominal = $506둧 billion
GDP_nominal_rank = 20th
GDP_nominal_per_capita = $47,289
GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 14th
Gini = 33
Gini_year = 2000
Gini_rank = 33rd
Gini_category = medium
HDI_year = 2007
HDI = {{increase}} 0띩[http://hdr& #46undp.org/en/media/HDR_2009_EN_Complete.pdf Human Development Report 2009].

The United Nations.

Retrieved 5 October 2009.
HDI_rank = 17th
HDI_category = very high
sovereignty_type = Belgian Revolution
Independence
established_event1 = Declared {{nowrap
from United Kingdom of the Netherlands
the Netherlands}}
established_date1 = 4 October 1830
established_event2 = Treaty of London, 1839
Recognized
established_date2 = 19 April 1839
accessionEUdate = 25 March 1957
EUseats = 24
currency = Euro (Euro sign
€)1
currency_code = EU
time_zone = Central European Time
CET
utc_offset = +1
time_zone_DST = Central European Summer Time
CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
cctld = .be
calling_code = Telephone numbers in Belgium
32
footnote1 = Before 1999: Belgian franc.
footnote2 = The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union member states. }} The '''Kingdom of Belgium''' ({{pron-en
'b?ld??m
en-us-Belgium.ogg}}, {{respell
BEL
j?m}}) is a country in Western Europe
northwest Europe.

It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many international organizations, including Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique
ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, Bank for International Settlements
BIS, Convention on Cybercrime
CCC, Council of Europe
CE, CERN, Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
EAPC, EBRD, European Investment Bank
EIB, Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union
EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, Group of Ten (economic)
G-10, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, International Criminal Court
ICC, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
ICRM, International Development Association
IDA, Inter-American Development Bank
IDB, International Energy Agency
IEA, IFAD, International Finance Corporation
IFC, IFRCS, IHO, International Labour Organization
ILO, IMF, International Maritime Organization
IMO, IMSO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, International Organization for Migration
IOM, International Organization for Standardization
ISO, ITU, MONUC (observers), NATO, Nuclear Energy Agency
NEA, Nuclear Suppliers Group
NSG, Organization of American States
OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Permanent Court of Arbitration
PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNECE, UNESCO, UNHCR, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, West African Development Bank
WADB (non-regional), WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, Zangger Committee
ZC. Belgium covers an area of {{convert
30528
km2
sqmi}} and has a population of about 10Ǔ million. Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic Europe
Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Flemish people
Flemish and the Francophone
French-speakers, mostly Walloons, plus a small group of German-speaking Community of Belgium
German-speakers.

Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch language
Dutch-speaking region of Flemish Region
Flanders in the north and the French language
French-speaking southern region of Wallonia.

The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking List of enclaves and exclaves#Subnational enclaves which are not exclaves
enclave within the Flemish Region. {{cite web
title=Belgique • België • Belgien—Région de Bruxelles-Capitale • Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
quote=C'est une région officiellement bilingue formant au centre du pays une enclave dans la province du Brabant flamand (Vlaams Brabant)
work=L'aménagement linguistique dans le monde
language=French language
French
date=2007-01-18
author=Leclerc, Jacques, , membre associé du TLFQ
publisher=Host: Trésor de la langue française au Québec (TLFQ), Université Laval, Quebec
url=http://ww w.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/EtatsNsouverains/bruxelles-capitale.htm
accessdate=2007-06-18}}
* {{cite web
title=About Belgium
quote=the Brussels-Capital Region is an enclave of 162 km2 within the Flemish region.
publisher=Belgian Federal Public Service (ministry) / Embassy of Belgium in the Republic of Korea
url=http://www.belgium.or.kr/page60.html
accessdate=2007-06-21}}
* {{cite web
title=Flanders (administrative region)
quote=The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is an enclave within Flanders.
work=Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia
year=2007
publisher=Microsoft
url=http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encnet/ refpages/RefArtTextonly.aspx?refid=781531490
accessdate=2007-06-21
archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwPxLurr
archivedate=2009-10-31
deadurl=yes}}
* {{cite web
title=The FIT Invasions of Mons
quote=The country is divided into three increasingly autonomous regions: Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north; mostly French-speaking Brussels in the center as an enclave within Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia in the south, including the German-speaking ''Cantons de l'Est'').
year=1999
month=October
author=McMillan, Eric
work=Capital translator, Newsletter of the NCATA, Vol.

21, No.

7, p.

1
publisher=National Capital Area Chapter of the American Translators Association (NCATA)
url =http://www.ncata.org/doc/Oct99.pdf
format=PDF
accessdate=2007-06-21}}
* {{cite web
title=Language Facilities in the Brussels Periphery
quote=Brussels is a kind of enclave within Flanders—it has no direct link with Wallonia.
author=[http://perswww.kuleuven.be/~u0025631/ Van de Walle, Steven], lecturer at University of Birmingham Institute of Local Government Studies, School of Public Policy
publisher=Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
KULeuven—Leuvens Universitair Dienstencentrum voor Informatica en Telematica
url=http:/ /perswww.kuleuven.be/~u0025631/pdf/RANDBRUS.pdf
format=PDF
accessdate=2007-06-21
archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5kwPxLurr
archivedate=2009-10-31
deadurl=yes}} A small German-speaking Community of Belgium
German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia. {{cite web
title=The German-speaking Community
publisher=The German-speaking Community
url=http://www.dglive.be/E N/Desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1263/2264_read-27181/
accessdate=2007-05-05}} The (original) [http://www.dglive.be/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-84/186_read-448/ version in German language] (already) mentions 73,000 instead of 71,500 inhabitants. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the history of Belgium
political history and a complex Communities and regions of Belgium
system of government. {{cite news
title=Language dispute divides Belgium
author=Morris, Chris
publisher=BBC News
date=2005-05-13
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4545433.stm
accessdate=2007-05-08}} {{cite web
title=Langues majoritaires, langues minoritaires, dialectes et NTIC
date=2001-09-25
language=French language
French
author=Petermann, Simon, Professor at the University of Liège, Wallonia, Belgium—at colloquium ''IXe Sommet de la francophonie—Initiatives 2001—Ethique et nouvelles technologies, session 6 Cultures et langues, la place des minorités'', Bayreuth
url=http://www.initiatives.refer.org/Initiatives-2001/_notes/sess604.htm
accessdate=2007-05-04}} The name 'Belgium' is derived from ''Gallia Belgica'', a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul that was inhabited by the ''Belgae'', a mix of Celts
Celtic and Germanic peoples. {{cite book
title=Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire
author=Bunson, Matthew
year=1994
page=169
edition=Hardcover 352pp
publisher=Facts on File, New York
isbn=0 8160 2135 X [Paperback 512pp, ISBN 0-8160-3182-7; Revised edition (2002), Hardcover 636pp, ISBN 0-8160-4562-3]}}Footnote: The Celtic and/or Germanic influences on and origin(s) of the Belgae remains disputed.

Further reading e.g. {{cite web
title=Ethnic and Cultural Identity
work=Barbarians on the Greek Periphery?—Origins of Celtic Art
year=1997
month=May
author=Witt, Constanze Maria
publisher=Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, University of Virginia
url=http: //www3.iath.virginia.edu/Barbarians/Essays/ethnic_main.html
accessdate=2007-06-06}} Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states.

From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture.

From the 16th century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed the battleground of Europe {{cite web
title=Rezention zu (Review of) Cook, Bernard: Belgium.

A History ISBN 0-8204-5824-4
date=2003-02-17
quote=die Bezeichnung Belgiens als „the cockpit of Europe” (James Howell, 1640), die damals noch auf eine kriegerische Hahnenkampf-Arena hindeutete
language=German language
German
author=Haß, Torsten, Head of the :de:Fachhochschule Kehl
Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences) of Kehl Library, Kehl, Germany
publisher=FH-Zeitung (journal of the Fachhochschule)
url=http://www.fh-kehl.de/zeitung/rezensionen/2003/cook,belgium.htm
accessdate=2007-05-24}}{{Dead link
date=October 2008}}—The book reviewer, Haß, attributes the expression in English to James Howell in 1640.

Howell's original phrase "the cockpit of Christendom" became modified afterwards, as shown by:
   {{cite web
title=The Hydra NoǍ New Series (November 1917)—Arras And Captain Satan
author=Carmont, John
work=War Poets Collection
publisher=Napier University’s Business School
url=http://www.nap ier.ac.uk/warpoets/Hydraissues/Hyn01/hyn01a03.html
accessdate=2007-05-24}}—and as such coined for Belgium:
   {{cite web
title=Nuttall Encyclopaedia of General Knowledge—Cockpit of Europe
quote=Cockpit of Europe, Belgium, as the scene of so many battles between the Powers of Europe.
author=Wood, James
year=1907
url=http://www 6fromoldbooks.org/Wood-NuttallEncyclopaedia/c/cockpitofeurope.html
accessdate=2007-05-24}} (See also The Nuttall Encyclopaedia)—a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.

Upon its independence, Belgium eagerly participated in the Industrial Revolution {{cite web
title=New Order? International models of peace and reconciliation—Diversity and civil society
author=[http://c ain.ulst.ac.uk/dd/report9/report9h.htm Fitzmaurice, John], at the Secretariat-General of the European Commission, taught at the Université Libre de Bruxelles
year=1996
publisher=Democratic Dialogue ''Northern Ireland's first think tank'', Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/dd/report9/report9d.htm
accessdate=2007-08-12}} {{cite web
title=Belgium country profile
date=2006-08-27
publisher=[http://www.eubusiness.com/aboutus EUbusiness], Richmond, UK
url=http:// www.eubusiness.com/Belgium/belgium-country-profile/
accessdate=2007-08-12}} and, during the course of the twentieth century, possessed several Belgian colonial empire
colonies in Africa. {{cite web
title=Chapter 27.

The Age of Imperialism (Section 2.

The Partition of Africa)
work=World History II
author=Karl, Farah ''(text)''; Stoneking, James'' (course)''
year=1999
publisher=Appomattox Regional Governor's School (History Department), Petersburg, VA, USA
url=http://www.args.k12.va .us/academics/history/Stoneking/chapters/world2/world27.pdf
format=PDF
accessdate=2007-08-16}}{{Dead link
date=October 2008}} The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of communal conflicts between the Flemings and the Francophones fuelled by culture of Belgium
cultural differences on the one hand and an economy of Belgium
asymmetrical economic evolution of Flanders and Wallonia on the other hand.

2007–2008 Belgian government formation
These still-active conflicts have caused far-reaching state reform in Belgium
reforms of the formerly unitary Belgian state into a federal state.

History

{{Main
History of Belgium}} File:Map-1477 Low Countries.png
thumb
left
The Seventeen Provinces (orange, brown and yellow areas) and the Bishopric of Liège (green) In the 1st century BC, the Roman Republic
Romans defeated the local tribes and created the province of Gallia Belgica.

A Migration Period
gradual immigration by Germanic Franks
Frankish tribes during the 5th century brought the area under the rule of the Merovingian kings.

A gradual shift of power during the 8th century led the kingdom of the Franks to evolve into the Carolingian Empire.

The Treaty of Verdun in 843 divided the region into Middle Francia
Middle and Western Francia and therefore into a set of more or less independent fiefdoms which, during the Middle Ages, were vassals either of the King of France or of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Timeline of Burgundian and Habsburg acquisitions in the Low Countries
Many of these fiefdoms were united in the Burgundian Netherlands of the 14th and 15th centuries.

Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Emperor Charles V extended the personal union of the Seventeen Provinces in the 1540s, making it far more than a personal union by the Pragmatic Sanction of 1549 and increased his influence over the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. {{cite web
title=Chapter II: Habsburg Rule in the Netherlands
work=History of Holland
author=Edmundson, George
publisher=The University Press, Cambridge.

Republished: Authorama
year=1922
url=http://www.authorama.com/history-of-holland-4.html
accessdate=2007-06-09}} The Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) divided the Low Countries into the northern Republic of the Seven United Provinces of the Netherlands
United Provinces (''Belgica Foederata'' in Latin, the "Federated Netherlands") and the Southern Netherlands (''Belgica Regia'', the "Royal Netherlands").

The latter were ruled successively by the Habsburg Spain
Spanish and the History of Austria#Charles VI and Maria Theresa (1711–1780)
Austrian Habsburgs and comprised most of modern Belgium.

This was the theatre of most Franco-Spanish War (1635)
Franco-Spanish and War of the Austrian Succession
Franco-Austrian wars during the 17th and 18th centuries.

Following the French Revolutionary Wars: Campaigns of 1794
campaigns of 1794 in the French Revolutionary Wars, the Low Countries—including territories that were never nominally under Habsburg rule, such as the Prince-Bishopric of Liège—were annexed by the French First Republic, ending Austrian rule in the region.

The reunification of the Low Countries as the United Kingdom of the Netherlands occurred at the dissolution of the First French Empire in 1815.

File:Wappers belgian revolution.jpg
thumb
left
''Episode of the Belgian Revolution of 1830'' (1834)
by Egide Charles Gustave Wappers,
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
Museum of Ancien Arts, Brussels. The 1830 Belgian Revolution led to the establishment of an independent, Roman Catholic Church
Catholic and neutral Belgium under a Provisional Government of Belgium
provisional government and a national Congress of Belgium
national congress.

Since the installation of Leopold I of Belgium
Leopold I as king in 1831, Belgium has been a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.

Although the franchise was initially restricted, universal suffrage for men was introduced in 1893 (with plural voting until 1919) and for women in 1949.

The main political parties of the 19th century were the Catholic Party (Belgium)
Catholic Party and the Liberal Party (Belgium)
Liberal Party, with the Belgian Labour Party emerging towards the end of the century.

French was originally the single official language adopted by the nobility and the bourgeoisie.

It progressively lost its overall importance as Dutch became recognized as well.

This recognition became official in 1898 and in 1967 a Dutch version of the Belgian Constitution
Constitution was legally accepted. {{cite web
title=Ethnic structure, inequality and governance of the public sector in Belgium
aut hor=[http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005BC203 /(httpPeople)/417C5EAAE7060027C1256F2000472415?OpenDocument Kris Deschouwer]
publisher=United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
month=January
year=2004
url=http ://www.unrisd.org/UNRISD/website/document&# 46nsf/ab82a6805797760f80256b4f005da1ab/ec506a59176be044c1256e9e003077c3/$FILE/Deschou.pdf
format=PDF
accessdate=2007-05-22}} The Berlin Conference of 1885 ceded control of the Congo Free State to Leopold II of Belgium
King Leopold II as his private possession.

From around 1900 there was growing international concern for the extreme and savage treatment of the Congolese population under Leopold II, for whom the Congo was primarily a source of revenue from ivory and rubber production.

In 1908 this outcry led the Belgian state to assume responsibility for the government of the colony, henceforth called the Belgian Congo. {{cite book
title=The State of Africa
pages=95–96(?)
edition=Hardcover 608pp
date=2005-06-06
author=Meredith, Mark
publisher= Free Press
isbn=0-7432-3221-6}} Germany invaded Belgium in 1914 as part of the Schlieffen Plan, and much of the Western Front (World War I)
Western Front fighting of World War I occurred in western parts of the country.

Belgium took over the German colonies of Ruanda-Urundi (modern day Rwanda and Burundi) during the war, and they were mandated to Belgium in 1924 by the League of Nations.

In the aftermath of the First World War, the districts of Prussia
Prussian districts of Eupen-Malmedy
Eupen and Malmedy were annexed by Belgium in 1925, thereby causing the presence of a German-speaking minority.

The country was again invaded by Germany in 1940 during the Blitzkrieg offensive and occupied until its Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine
liberation in 1945 by the Allies of World War II
Allies.

The Belgian Congo gained independence in 1960 during the Congo Crisis;[http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1304803 The Congolese Civil War 1960–1964] Ruanda-Urundi followed with its independence two years later. After World War II, Belgium joined NATO as a founding member and formed the Benelux group of nations with the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Belgium became one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and of the European Atomic Energy Community and European Economic Community, established in 1957.

The latter is now the European Union, for which Belgium hosts major administrations and institutions, including the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the extraordinary and committee sessions of the European Parliament.

Government and politics

{{Main
Politics of Belgium}} {{See also
Belgian federal parliament
Belgian federal government
Political parties in Belgium}} {{further
List of Belgian monarchs, List of Belgian Prime Ministers, Foreign relations of Belgium}} Belgium is a constitutional monarchy
constitutional, popular monarchy and a parliamentary system
parliamentary democracy. File:Yves Leterme 01.jpg
thumb
upright
Prime Minister Yves Leterme The federal bicameralism
bicameral parliament is composed of a Belgian Senate
Senate and a Belgian Chamber of People's Representatives
Chamber of Representatives.

The former is made up of 40 directly elected politicians and 21 representatives appointed by the Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium
3 Community parliaments, 10 Belgian Senate#Co-opted Senators
co-opted senators and the children of the king, as Belgian Senate#Senators by Right
senators by Right who in practice do not cast their vote.

The Chambers of parliament
Chamber's 150 representatives are elected under a proportional voting system from 11 Arrondissements of Belgium
electoral districts.

Belgium is one of the few countries that has compulsory voting and thus holds one of the highest rates of voter turnout in the world. {{cite web
title=The Dynamics of Electoral Participation—Table 10Ǎ Average turnout in free elections to the lower house in 40 countries, 1961–1999
pages= 32
year=2001
author=Franklin, Mark N., Trinity College (Connecticut)
Trinity College, Connecticut
url=http://ci teseer.ist.psu.edu/cache/papers/cs/25027 /http:zSzzSzwww2.trincoll.eduzSz~mfranklizS zParticipation.pdf/franklin01dynamics.pdf
format=PDF
accessdate=2007-05-29}} The Monarchy of Belgium
King (currently Albert II of Belgium
Albert II) is the head of state, though with limited Royal Prerogative
prerogatives.

He appoints ministers, including a Prime Minister, that have the confidence of the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium
Chamber of Representatives to form the federal government.

The numbers of Dutch- and French-speaking ministers are equal as prescribed by the constitution. {{cite web
title=Belgium—Constitution—Title III Powers, Chapter II The Senate, Article 72 [King's Descendants] ; and Title III, Chapter III King and Federal Government, Section I The King ; and Section II The Federal Government, Article 99 [Composition of Government]
work=International Constitutional Law
publisher=Institut für öffentliches Recht, University of Berne, Switzerland
date=1994-02-17
url=http://www.servat.unibe.ch/law/icl/be00000_.html
accessdate=2007-05-20}} Or both:
* {{cite web
title=Title III on power, Chapter II on the Senate, Art.

72
work=The Constitution of Belgium
publisher=The Federal Parliament of Belgium
date=1997-01-21
url= http://www.fed-parl.be/gwuk0004.htm
accessdate=2007-05-20}} And
* {{cite web
title=Title III on Power, Chapter III on the King and the Federal Government, Section I on the King  and Section II on the Federal Government, Art.

99
work=The Constitution of Belgium
publisher=The Federal Parliament of Belgium
date=1997-01-21
ur l=http://www.fed-parl.be/gwuk0006.htm#E11E6
accessdate=2007-05-20}} The judicial system is based on civil law (legal system)
civil law and originates from the Napoleonic code.

The Court of Cassation (Belgium)
Court of Cassation is the court of last resort, with the Court of Appeal (Belgium)
Court of Appeal one level below. Belgium's political institutions are complex; most political power is organized around the need to represent the main cultural communities.

Since around 1970, the significant national Belgian political party
political parties have split into distinct components that mainly represent the political and linguistic interests of these communities.

The major parties in each Community, though close to the centrism
political centre, belong to three main groups: the right-wing politics
right-wing Liberals, the social conservatism
socially conservative Christian democracy
Christian Democrats and the Social democracy
Socialists forming the left-wing politics
left-wing.

Further notable parties came into being well after the middle of last century, mainly around List of political parties in Belgium#Linguistic parties
linguistic, nationalism
nationalist, or worldwide green parties
environmental themes and recently smaller ones of Liberalism in Belgium#New_liberal_parties_formed_in_the_2000s
some specific liberal nature. A string of Christian Democrat coalition governments from 1958 Belgian general election, 1999
was broken in 1999 after the first dioxine affair
dioxin crisis, a major food contamination scandal. {{cite web
title=Dioxin contamination scandal hits Belgium: Effects spread through European Union and beyond
work=World Socialist Web Site (WSWS)
publisher=International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI)
author=Tyler, Richard
date=1999-06-08
url=http://www.wsws&# 46org/articles/1999/jun1999/belg-j08.shtml
accessdate=2007-05-25}}—Follow-up on occasion of 2nd dioxin crisis: [http://www.foodproductio ndaily.com/news/ng.asp?id=65481-belgium-netherlands-dioxin a] {{cite press release
title=Food Law News—EU : CONTAMINANTS—Commission Press Release (IP/99/399) Preliminary results of EU-inspection to Belgium
date=1999-06-16
author=European Commission
publisher=School of Food Biosciences, University of Reading, UK
url=http://ww w.foodlaw.rdg.ac.uk/news/eu-99-40.htm
accessdate=2007-05-29}} A 'rainbow coalition' emerged from six parties: the Flemish and the French-speaking Liberals, Social Democrats, Greens. {{cite news
title=Belgium's "rainbow" coalition sworn in
publisher=BBC News
date=1999-07-12
url=http:/ /news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/392004.stm
accessdate=2007-05-20}} Later, a 'purple coalition' of Liberals and Social Democrats formed after the Greens lost most of their seats in the Belgian general election, 2003
2003 election. {{cite web
title=La Chambre des représentants—Composition (''Composition of the Chamber of Representatives'')
date=2006-03-09
publisher=The Chamber of Representatives of Belgium
language=French language
French
url=http://www.lachambre& #46be/kvvcr/pdf_sections/pri/fiche/10F.pdf
format=PDF
accessdate=2007-05-25}} The government led by Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt from 1999 to 2007 achieved a balanced budget, some tax reforms, a labour-market reform, scheduled Nuclear energy policy#Europe
nuclear phase-out and instigated legislation allowing more stringent War Crimes Law (Belgium)
war crime and more lenient soft drugs
soft drug usage prosecution.

Restrictions on withholding euthanasia were reduced and same-sex marriage in Belgium
same-sex marriage legalized.

The government promoted active diplomacy in Africa {{cite web
title=Rwanda
work=tiscali.reference
publisher=Tiscali UK
url=http://www.tiscal i.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0019846.html
accessdate=2007-05-27}} The article shows an example of Belgium's recent African policies. and opposed the invasion of Iraq.{{cite news
title=Belgian demand halts NATO progress
publisher=CNN News
date=2003-02-16
url=http://www.c nn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/02/16/sprj.irq.nato.belgium.ap/
accessdate=2007-06-16}} Verhofstadt's coalition fared badly in the Belgian general election, 2007
June 2007 elections.

For more than a year, the country has experienced a 2007 Belgian government formation
political crisis.{{cite news
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/1002141.stm
title=Time-line Belgium
publisher=BBC-News
date=2009-01-05
accessdate=2009-07-16
quote=2007 September – Belgium without a government for 100 days.}} This crisis was such that many observers speculated on a possible partition of Belgium.

From 21 December 2007 until 20 March 2008 the temporary Verhofstadt III Government was in office.

This coalition of the Christian Democratic and Flemish
Flemish and Humanist Democratic Centre
Francophone Christian Democrats, the VLD
Flemish and Mouvement Réformateur
Francophone Liberals together with the Socialist Party (francophone Belgium)
Francophone Social Democrats was an interim government until 20 March 2008.

On that day a Leterme I Government
new government, led by CD&V
Flemish Christian Democrat Yves Leterme, the actual winner of the federal elections of June 2007, was sworn in by the king.

On 15 July 2008 Leterme announced the resignation of the cabinet to the king, as no progress in state reform in Belgium
constitutional reforms had been made.[http://n ews.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7506640.stm BBC news, july 15th, 2008] In December 2008 he once more offered his resignation to the king after a 2008–2009 Belgian financial crisis
crisis surrounding the sale of Fortis (finance)
Fortis to BNP Paribas.[http://edition 6cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/12/19/belgium.government.resignation/index.html] Belgium Prime Minister offers resignation over banking deal At this juncture, his resignation was accepted and CD&V
Flemish Christian Democrat Herman Van Rompuy was sworn in as Prime Minister on December 30, 2008.[http://www.reuters.com /article/rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews/idUSLS35202520081228 Belgian king asks Van Rompuy to form government] Reuters After Herman Van Rompuy was designated the first permanent President of the European Council on 19 November 2009, he offered the resignation of his government to King Albert II on 25 November 2009.

A few hours later, the new government under Prime Minister Yves Leterme was sworn.

Communities and regions

{{Main
Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium}} {{See also
Language legislation in Belgium
Municipalities with language facilities}} File:Communities of Belgium.svg
thumb
Communities:
{{legend
#fab274
Flemish Community / Dutch language area}}          Flemish & French Community / bilingual language area {{legend
#f2536b
French Community of Belgium
French Community / French language area}}{{legend
#40bb6a
German-speaking Community of Belgium
German-speaking Community / German language area}} File:Regions of Belgium.svg
thumb
Regions:
{{legend
#fab274
Flemish Region / Dutch language area}}{{legend
#2385d2
Brussels
Brussels-Capital Region / bilingual language area}}{{legend
#f2536b
Walloon Region / French and German language areas}} Following a usage which can be traced back to the Burgundian and Habsburgian courts,{{cite book
title=Zweisprachigkeit in den Benelux-ländern
language=German
author=Johannes Kramer
quote=Zur prestige Sprache wurde in den Spanischen Niederlanden ganz eindeutig das Französische.

Die Vertreter Spaniens beherrschte normalerweise das Französische, nicht aber das Niedderländische; ein beachtlicher Teil der am Hofe tätigen Adligen stammte aus Wallonien, das sich ja eher auf fie spanische Seite geschlagen hatte als Flandern und Brabant.

In dieser Situation war es selbstverständlich, dass die flämischen Adligen, die im Laufe der Zeit immer mehr ebenfalls zu Hofbeamten wurden, sich des Französischen bedienen mussten, wenn sie als gleichwertig anerkannt werden wollten.

[Transl.: The prestigious language in the Spanish Netherlands was clearly French.

The Spain's representatatives usually mastered French but not Dutch; a notable part of the nobles at the court came from Wallonia, which had taken party for the Spanish side to a higher extent than Flanders and Brabant.

It was therefore evident within this context that the Flemish nobility, of which a progessively larger number became servants of the court, had to use French, if it wanted to get acknowledged as well.]
publisher=Buske Verlag
year=1984
page=69
isbn=3871185973}} in the 19th century it was necessary to speak French to belong to the governing upper class, and those who could only speak Dutch were effectively second-class citizens.

Late that century, and continuing into the 20th century, Flemish movements evolved to counter this situation.

While the Walloons and Frenchification of Brussels
most Brusselers adopted French as their first language, the Flemings refused to do so and succeeded progressively in imposing Dutch as Flanders' language legislation in Belgium
official language.

Following World War II, Belgian politics became increasingly dominated by the autonomy of its two main language communities.

Intercommunal tensions rose and the constitution was amended in order to minimise the conflict potentials. Based on the four language areas defined in 1962–63 (the Dutch, bilingual, French and German language areas), consecutive state reform in Belgium
revisions of Constitution of Belgium
the country's constitution in 1970, 1980, 1988 and 1993 established a unique federal state with segregated political power into three levels: {{cite journal
title=The Dutch-French Language Border in Belgium
journal=Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development
volume= 23
issue= 1&2
year=2002
pages=36–49
author=Willemyns, Roland, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Germanic Languages
url=http://www.m ultilingual-matters.net/jmmd/023/0036/jmmd0230036.pdf
format=PDF
accessdate=2007-06-22
doi=10񰤘/01434630208666453}}Each municipality of the Kingdom is part of one of the four Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium
language areas (''taalgebieden'' in Dutch, ''Sprachgebiete'' in German), occasionally called linguistic regions (''régions linguistiques'' in French).

See the three legal versions of the Constitution:
* {{cite web
title=Titel I: Het federale België, zijn samenstelling en zijn grondgebied
quote=Art. 4 België omvat vier taalgebieden
language=Dutch language
Dutch
date=2007-05-15 last update of web page
work=De Belgische Grondwet
publisher=Belgian Senate
url=http://www.senate.be/doc/const_nl.html#t1
accessdate=2007-05-31}}
* {{cite web
title=Titel I: Das föderale Belgien, seine Zusammensetzung und sein Staatsgebiet
quote=Art. 4 Belgien umfaßt vier Sprachgebiete
language=German language
German
date=2007-05-15 last update of web page
work=Die Verfassung Belgiens
publisher=Belgian Senate
url=http://www.senate.be/deutsch/const_de.html#t1
accessdate=2007-05-31}}
* {{cite web
title=Titre Ier: De la Belgique fédérale, de ses composantes et de son territoire
quote=Art. 4 La Belgique comprend quatre régions linguistiques
language=French language
French
date=2007-05-15 last update of web page
work=La Constitution Belge
url=http://www.senate.be/doc/const_fr.html#t1
publisher=Belgian Senate
accessdate=2007-05-31}}
  English translation, not recently updated and without legal value:
* {{cite web
title=Title I: On Federal Belgium, its components and its territory
quote=Art. 4 Belgium has four linguistic regions
date=1997-01-21 last update of main 'the Constitution' page on web site
work=the Constitution
publisher=Belgian Senate
url=http://www.fed-parl.be/gwuk0001.htm#E12E1
accessdate=2007-05-31}} # The Belgian federal government
federal government, based in Brussels. # The three language communities: #* the Flemish Community (Dutch-speaking); #* the French Community of Belgium
French (i.e., French-speaking) Community; #* the German-speaking Community of Belgium
German-speaking Community. # The three regions: #* the Flemish Region, subdivided into five provinces of Belgium
provinces; #* the Walloon Region, subdivided into five provinces; #* the Brussels-Capital Region. The constitutional language areas determine the official languages in their municipalities, as well as the geographical limits of the empowered institutions for specific matters.

Although this would allow for seven parliaments and governments, when the Communities and Regions were created in 1980, Flemish politicians decided to merge both.

Thus the Flemings just have one single institutional body of parliament and government is empowered for all except federal and specific municipal matters.Footnote: The Constitution set out seven institutions each of which can have a parliament, government and administration.

In fact there are only six such bodies because the Flemish Region merged into the Flemish Community.

This single Flemish body thus exercises powers about Community matters in the bilingual area of Brussels-Capital and in the Dutch language area, while about Regional matters only in the latter. The overlapping boundaries of the Regions and Communities have created two notable peculiarities: the territory of the Brussels-Capital Region (which came into existence nearly a decade after the other regions) is included in both the Flemish and French Communities, and the territory of the German-speaking Community lies wholly within the Walloon Region.

Conflicts between the bodies are resolved by the Constitutional Court of Belgium.

The structure is intended as a compromise to allow different cultures to live together peacefully. The Federal State's authority includes justice, defence, federal police, social security, nuclear energy, monetary policy and public debt, and other aspects of public finances.

State-owned companies include the Belgian Post Group and National Railway Company of Belgium
Belgian Railways.

The Federal Government is responsible for the obligations of Belgium and its federalized institutions towards the European Union and NATO.

It controls substantial parts of public health, home affairs and foreign affairs. {{cite web
title=The Federal Government's Powers
work=.be Portal
publisher=Belgian Federal Government
url=http://www 6belgium.be/eportal/application?origin=navigat ionBanner.jsp&event=bea.portal.framework .internal.refresh&pageid=indexPage&navId=6188
accessdate=2007-05-23}}{{Dead link
date=October 2008}} The budget—without the debt—controlled by the federal government amounts to about 50% of the national fiscal income.

The federal government employs ca.

12% of the civil servants.{{cite book
quote=In 2002, 58ቔ% of the fiscal income was going to the budget of the federal government, but more than one third was used to pay the interests of the public debt.

Without including this post, the share of the federal government budget would be only 48ሠ% of the fiscal income.

There are 87,8% of the civil servants who are working for the Regions or the Communities and 12,2% for the Federal State.
author=Charles-Etienne Lagasse
title=Les nouvelles institutions politiques de la Belgique et de l'Europe
publisher=Erasme
location=Namur
year=2003
isbn=2-87127-783-4
page=289}} Communities exercise their authority only within linguistically determined geographical boundaries, originally oriented towards the individuals of a Community's language: culture (including audiovisual media), education and the use of the relevant language.

Extensions to personal matters less directly connected with language comprise health policy (curative and preventive medicine) and assistance to individuals (protection of youth, social welfare, aid to families, immigrant assistance services, etc.). {{cite web
title=The Communities
work=.be Portal
publisher=Belgian Federal Government
url=http://www.belgium.be/eportal/appli cation?origin=navigationBanner.jsp&event=bea&# 46portal.framework.internal.refresh&pageid=indexPage&navId=2686
accessdate=2007-05-23}}{{Dead link
date=October 2008}} Regions have authority in fields that can be broadly associated with their territory.

These include economy, employment, agriculture, water policy, housing, public works, energy, transport, the environment, town and country planning, nature conservation, credit and foreign trade.

They supervise the provinces, municipalities and intercommunal utility companies. In several fields, the different levels each have their own say on specifics.

With education, for instance, the autonomy of the Communities neither includes decisions about the compulsory aspect nor allows for setting minimum requirements for awarding qualifications, which remain federal matters. Each level of government can be involved in scientific research and international relations associated with its powers. {{cite web
title=The Regions
work=.be Portal
publisher=Belgian Federal Government
url=http://www.belgium.be/eportal/ap plication?origin=navigationBanner.jsp&event=be a.portal.framework.internal.refresh&pageid=indexPage&navId=2690
accessdate=2007-05-23}}{{Dead link
date=October 2008}} The treaty-making power of the Region's and Communities' Governments is the broadest of all the Federating units of all the Federations all over the world.{{cite web
language=French
quote=La Belgique constitue ainsi le seul exemple clair du transfert d’une partie de la compétence « affaires étrangères » à des entités fédérées.

(Transl.: Belgian is the only example of a transfer of a part of the power "foreign policy" to federating units
author=Charles-Etienne Lagasse
date=May 17–18, 2004
publisher=Kazan Institute of Federalism
title=Federalism in Russia,

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