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Belgium

Belgium is a small country (11,730 square Miles, the size of Maryland) with a population of 10 million. It has been a constitutional monarchy since 1830. There are three languages (Dutch, French and German). However, English is widely spoken. The three regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels) have self-government in many spheres. Belgium has retained its old-world charm in the preservation of its ancient buildings and historical traditions.More Information on Belgium.

Full country name: Kingdom of Belgium
Area: 30,510 sq km
Population: 10.3 million
Capital City: Brussels
People: 55% Flemish, 33% Walloons (French Latin) and about 10% foreigners
Language: Dutch, French
Religion: 75% Roman Catholic
Government: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch
Head of State: King Albert II
Head of Government: Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt

History of Belgium

Beginning in 57 BC, Julius Caesar extended the power of Rome into the region of Europe that is now Belgium. The people he encountered there were the Belgae, one of the various Celtic tribes of early Gaul, and the Romans dubbed their new province Gallia Belgica. In the fourth century AD, with Rome in decline, control of Gaul was ceded to the Franks, a Germanic tribe that the weakened empire employed as mercenaries. As the Franks flourished, they decided to dispense with their Roman employers...More on Belgium History.

Overview of Belgium's Economy

GDP: US$299.7 billion
GDP per capita: US$29,000
Annual Growth: 2.8%
Inflation: 2.2%
Major Industries: Services, agriculture, chemicals, engineering, metal products, car manufacturing, iron and steel, textiles and food
Major Trading Partners: EU (esp. Germany, France, Netherlands, UK), USA
Member of EU: Yes

Political System of Belgium

Belgium's political institutions are complex, but the majority of political power is organised with the two main communities: the Flemings, and their political parties; and the Walloons, and their parties...More on Political System of Belgium.

Envoirnment and Climate of Belgium

Squeezed between the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, Belgium is one of Europe's tiddlers. The north is flat, the south dominated by the picturesque Ardennes, and the North Sea coastline monopolised by resorts, bar a few patches of windswept dunes. Lower Belgium is criss-crossed by a network of canals.


Population and People:The population of Belgium is 10,258,000. Nearly 61 % live in the Flanders region. The overall population density...Belgium's Population.

Religion:In Belgium Roman Catholicism is the majority religion, accounting for between 75% and 80% of the population...More.

Culture: Belgium packs quite a cultural punch; world-class art, picture-perfect castles, sumptuous chocolate everywhere and more varieties of beer than plant and wildlife species combined...More about Culture of Belgium.


Facts for the Traveler

Visas: There are no entry requirements or restrictions on EU nationals visiting Belgium and Luxembourg. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and the USA do not need visas to visit either country as tourists for up to three months. Except for people from a few other European countries (such as Switzerland and Norway), everyone else must have a visa. Three-month tourist visas are issued by Belgian or Luxembourg embassies or consulates. They can take a while to be processed, so leave enough time before departure to apply. Fees vary depending on your nationality..
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
Dialling Code: 32
Electricity: 230V ,50Hz
Weights and measures: Metric

Also Read:Money and Cost Required | List of Public Holidays in Belgium | Useful Travel Information about Belgium | Facts About Belgium

When to Go

You're unlikely to encounter extremes in weather during an average Belgian year. April to September is the warmest time, but be prepared for grey skies and soggy streets no matter what time of year you go. Visitors may be forgiven for assuming umbrellas and raincoats are part of the Belgian national dress.

Also Read: Getting Around Belgium | Belgium: Getting There and Away

What to See in Belgium

Major Tourist Attractions in Belgium
- Brussels: The city of choice for Eurocrats, Brussels is sumptuous, historic and luxuriously cosy...
- Antwerp: The richly historic city of Antwerp is Belgium's most underrated tourist destination...
- Bruges: Home to Europe's best-preserved medieval buildings, Bruges is Belgium's most visited town...
- The Ardennes: Home to deep river valleys and high forests, Belgium's southeast corner is often overlooked by travellers hopping...

Other Tourist Attractions in Belgium
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What is Belgium Famous for?

Belgium is famous for chocolate and beer. Belgium also is famous for its rich cultural heritage including its capital Brussels with its famous architecture, palaces, its pubs, old shopping malls and its lifestyle. But there are some more places worth a visit. The second largest city of Antwerp (located to the north of Brussels) is a famous harbour town with a diamond stock exchange...Belgium is Famours For...

Events in Belgium

Brussels' most festive months are July and August. On the first Thursday in July there's the Ommegang pageant, a huge parade of nobles dressed in historic costumes. Belgium's colourful National Day is July 21, which also marks the start of the month-long Brussels Fair. Throughout the year there are jazz fesitvals, religious processions, local fairs, film festivals and classical music extavaganzas. Carnival is a big do - people shake off the winter blues with outrageous celebrations ranging from balls to masked parades. In Ypres, the Kattenfestival (Festival of the Cats) involves imitation cats being hurled from the town's belfry!


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The city is serviced by comprehensive rail connections, with frequent east-west trains servicing Vienna, Munich, Innsbruck, and Zürich, including daily high-speed ICE services. The city also acts as a hub for south-bound trains through the Alps into Italy. Salzburg Airport has scheduled flights to European cities such as Frankfurt, Vienna, ...
The Salzburg Card is highly recommended for visitors as it allows for unlimited public transportation, admission into several of the city's main attractions, and discounts at various places. By Air The Salzburg Airport W.A. Mozart is located 2 miles southwest of the city centre. The Airport has regularly scheduled domestic and international ...
By Bus/Tram The city buses and trams provide quick, comfortable service through the city center from the Nonntal parking lot to Sigsmundsplatz, the city-center parking lot. Buses stop running at 11pm. Travelers can get a direct shuttle bus from Munich International Airport to Salzburg. The city itself is served by ...
Salzburg’s economy is strongly export-oriented, especially exports to the member countries of the EU. For many years Salzburg’s economy has occupied a leading position in Austria. On a European scale the province is one of the most dynamic regions. In a recent survey of European regions Salzburg is listed as ...
Salzburg is at the Northern edge of the Alps and has a typical Central European climate with hot summers up to almost 40 degrees Celsius and cold winters down to minus 20 degrees Celsius. So most of the year Salzburg has moderate weather conditions and should not keep you from ...
Maria Plain: church of pilgrimage A church of pilgrimage and a Baroque gem in the outskirts of the city. Easily accessible by public bus, Maria Plain is the ideal destination for a quick trip. KleÃźheim Castle A Baroque castle near the city that now hosts a Casino. Liefering Parish Church A mix ...
Salzburg's long history can be traced back to the Stone Age - but only in Baroque times it got really exciting! Here you will find a timeline with the most outstanding key events. Maybe you would also be interested in browsing the list of the Prince Archbishops. The first signs ...
Salzburg is on the banks of the Salzach River, at the northern boundary of the Alps. The mountains to Salzburg's south contrast with the rolling plains to the north. The closest alpine peak – the 1972 m Untersberg – is only a few kilometers from the city center. The Altstadt, ...
Salzburg is the fourth-largest city in Austria and the capital of the federal state of Salzburg. Salzburg's "Old Town" with its world famous baroque architecture is one of the best-preserved city centers in the German-speaking world, and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. The city is ...
Upper Austria enjoys a moderate continental climate: summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. Summers are warm and pleasant with cool nights, and winters are sunny, with snow levels high enough for widespread winter sports. In ...

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