Belgium Country Information
Background:
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.
|
Capital |
Brussells |
|
Largest City |
Brussells |
|
Official languages |
Dutch, French, German |
|
Government |
Constitutional Monarchy |
|
Area... |
|
|
Total
|
30,528 km² (148th) (Est.) |
|
Population... |
|
|
2006 Est. |
10,379,067 (79th) |
|
2005 Census |
10,445,852 |
|
GDP (PPP)... |
|
|
Total (2005 Est) |
$325 billion (30th) |
|
Per Capita (2005 Est) |
$31,400 (14th) |
|
Currency |
Euro (EUR) |
|
Population below poverty line |
4% (1989 Est.) |
|
Time Zone... |
CET (UTC+1) |
|
Summer (DST) |
CEST (UTC+2) |
|
Industries |
Engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum |
|
Calling code |
+32 |
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