Europe Chronicle |
BelgiumBelgium 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 History of BelgiumBeginning 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 EconomyGDP: US$299.7 billion Political System of BelgiumBelgium'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 BelgiumSqueezed 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 TravelerVisas: 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 GoYou'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 BelgiumMajor Tourist Attractions in Belgium Other Tourist Attractions in Belgium
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