Country Guide • Belgium
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.
| Official Name | Kingdom of Belgium |
|---|---|
| Area | 30,510km² (11,780mile²) |
| Population | 10,289,000 |
| Continent | Europe |
| Population per mile² | 873 |
| Capital City | Brussels |
| Religions | 78% Roman Catholic, 1.5% Sunni Muslims |
| Language | Flemish, French and German. Most Belgians also speak English |
| Government | Constitutional Parliamentary Monarchy |
| Member of EU | Yes |
| Currency | Euro |
| GDP | $297.6 billion |
| GDP per Head | $29,000 |
| Natural Resources | Coal and Natural Gas |
| Land Use | Arable Land 25% |
| Agriculture | Fruit, Vegetables, Livestock/Meats, Milk, Sugar Beets |
| Industry | Services, agriculture, chemicals, engineering, metal products, car manufacturing, iron and steel, textiles and food |
| Tourism | Belgium has some of the best medieval cities, quaint towns, gothic cathedrals and town halls, castles and carillons in Europe. At by night savour from the 350 delicious beers to chose from and don't forget the chocolates |
| Natural Hazards | Flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes |
| Health Risks | None |
| Climate | Belgium has a cool climate. The lowland areas are characterised by changing winds, summer thunderstorms with drizzle and an overcast sky. The north west area is characterised by a mild climate with fog. Average annual precipitation varies from 510 to 760 mm (20 to 30 inches) to 1,200 mm (47 inches) in the hills of the south. Average temperature ranges in Brussels are from -1 to 4°C in January to 12 to 23°C in July |
| Time | GMT/UTC+1 hour (+2 hours in summer) |
| National Days | July 21 |
| Visas | EU citizens can enter on an official identity card. Travellers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the USA and many other countries just need a valid passport (no visa). Unless you're a citizen of a developing country, you can probably stay up to three months |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
