Capital
: Brussels (Bruxelles, Brussel).
Area
: 30,528 sq km (11,787 sq miles).
Population
of Belgium : 10,263,414 (official estimate 2001)
Population of Brussels : 964,405
(2001)
Population Density : 336.2 per sq km.
Geography
: Belgium is situated in
Europe and bordered by France, Luxembourg, Germany and The Netherlands.
The landscape is quite varied, the rivers and gorges of the Ardennes
contrasting sharply with the rolling plains which make up much of
the countryside. Notable features are the great forest of Ardennes
near the frontier with Germany and Luxembourg and the wide, sandy
beaches on the north coast, which run for over 60km (37 miles).
The countryside is rich in historic cities, churches and castles.
Government :
Constitutional monarchy. The Kingdom of Belgium was established
in 1830. In 1993, Belgium became a federal state comprising autonomous
regions.
Head of State: King Albert II since 1993.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt since
1999.
Language
: The official languages are Dutch, German and
French. Dutch is slightly more widely spoken than French, and German
is spoken the least.
Religion
: Mainly Roman Catholic, with small Protestant and Jewish communities.
Time : GMT + 1 (GMT +
2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).
Electricity : 220 volts
AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the round two-pin type. |
