Belgium Culture
Belgium
- Area: 30,528 km2
- Location: West Europe, bordering the North Sea, the Netherlands, Germany, Luxemburg and France
- Climate: moderate climate zone, warm from May till September, winter not very cold
- Capital: Brussels
- Population: 10,6 Mio (in Jan. 2008)
- Language: Dutch, French, German
- Currency and monetary unit: euro (EUR)
- Form of government: Constitutional Monarchy
Belgium is divided in three regions: Flanders, Wallonia and the capital Brussels. Flanders, in the north of the country, is inhabited by the Dutch-speaking Flemings (59 % of the population). The French-speaking Wallonia is situated in the south. Brussels is the bilingual capital (French and Dutch) of Belgium. A German-speaking minority of about 70,000 inhabitants is living in the eastern part. The official languages of the country are Dutch, French and German.
Belgium became independent in 1830 and formed a constitutional monarchy. Leopold I was installed as first King.
Belgium is one of the founding nations of the European Union. It hosts international organisations as the NATO headquarters and the European Union.
Belgium is famous for its chocolates and its beer. There are more than 1000 brands being produced in Belgium.
