Kingdom of Belgium   

 

 

 

 

 

In the 19 Century Belgium was de second powerfull economy in the World.

Belgian was the first country to get a train for civilian transportation from Brussel to Maline.

Member of the BENELUX (Belgium, Dutchland, and Luxemburg), with those three countries are the pionnier of the idea of the European Union.

 

National Day on July 21

Independence from the Netherlands in 1830

Regent : Erasme Louis Surlet the Choquier

First king : Leopold I of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha

Current King: King Philip I and Queen Mathilde

Standard Time: GMT +1 (Summer +2)

Area : 30.528 Km2

Capital: Brussels (also from Europe)

Government : Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system

Government type: Federation

Official languages ​​:

Dutch 

French

German

Border countries: Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France

Coastline: 72.6 km bordering the North Sea

Population : 11,099,554 (2013)

Currency  : Euro (EUR)

Electricity: 220 volts

Web | Code | Tel.  .be | BEL | 32

Three communities : the Flemish, the French and the German speaking community

Three regions: Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital Region

Motto: Unity is strength

Flag :  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The colors of the Belgian flag are those of the coat of arms of the former Duchy of Brabant. It proposed a lion of gold (yellow), on background of sable (black), armed and langued red. The unusual dimensions (13:15) are of unknown origin. The flag was designed by Edouard Ducpétiaux and Lucien Jottrand.

National anthem : The Brabançonne

 

The Belgian economy is based on services, transport and trade. The importance of the industry is losing importance. Liège and Charleroi are steel centers, the newer metal companies are mainly implanted around the port cities of Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. The chemicals include fertilizers, dyes, pharmaceuticals and plastics; The petrochemical industry is concentrated near the oil refineries of Antwerp. Textile production includes cotton, linen, wool and synthetic fibers. The export includes iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, food and petroleum products. The advantage is a central geographical location and highly developed transportation network.

Major products :

Belgian beer

The beer country is eminently Belgium. The country is home to a tradition of hundreds of types of beer including lager, local beers and fruit beers.

Diamonds

The epicentre of the global diamond trade is in Antwerp. Antwerp is the place to be for buyers and sellers of diamonds and therefore attracts a lot of capital.

Chocolate en pralines

The product of a foreigner that is most synonymous with Belgium is undoubtedly chocolate.

Carpets

Belgium is the largest exporter of carpets in the world. Production of carpets is a centuries-old tradition that is mainly situated in the western part of the country.

Building and construction

Also in the building of infrastructure, Belgium is a key player: the largest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, was built by Belgians. Furthermore the famous bluestone Pierre Bleue is an often exported product used in construction.

 

The Belgian cuisine and its local dishes

 

Steak with fries

Flemish stew

Rabbit with beer

Stew(Waterzooi) of chicken or fish

Chicory au gratin

Liège or Brussels waffles

Liège meatballs

Hotchpotch

 

Land of

beers (more than 850 differents beers like Duvel, Leffe, Charles Quint, Chimay, Ciney, Hoegarden, Babar, Brussels, Brigand, De Koning, Jupiler, Stella Artois, Grimbergen, Fruit Défendu, Delirium Tremens, Mort Subite, Troll, Belle-Vue, Lambik, etc)

the best chocolats in the world

Culture of Comics. Brussels is the capital of the Comics to. Tintin, the Smurf, and and incredible list of heros of european comics are created by Belgians. 

Diamants (anvers- Antwerp)

The "French Fries" are ... Belgians Fries!