General 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.
Area
comparative: About the size of Maryland
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
Population: 10,274,595 (July 2002 est.)
Ethnic groups: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed
or other 11%
Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant
or other 25%
Language: Flemish or Dutch 60%, French 40%,
German less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and
French)
Government type: Federal parliamentary democracy
under a constitutional monarch
Capital: Brussels
Legal system: Civil law system influenced
by English constitutional theory; judicial review
of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations.
Economic 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. 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 to about 100% of GDP in 2002, and the government
has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together
with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating euro
currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001
dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown.
Prospects for 2002 depend largely on recovery in the
EU and the US.
Communication/Telephone system: Well developed
and advanced
Places of interest:
Travel Tips: A rich blessing of chocolate and
oil paintings are to be found
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