| Belgium
Traveling Tales |
It is no use waiting for your ship to come in unless you have sent
one out.
- Belgian Proverb
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Stories |
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Country Overview |
Belgium
is in Western Europe, bordering the North Sea between France and the
Netherlands. Total land area is around 30,000 sq km, with 66 km of coastline.
Climate is temperate, with moderate winters and cool summers.
Government
is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch with
Brussels as its capital. King Albert II has been chief of state since 1993,
while prime minister has served as head of government since 1999.
Population
is 10.3 million with a 0.1 percent rate of natural increase.
Language
is split between Dutch (58%) and French (32%), which are both official
languages. Also, ten percent of the population speaks German.
Economy
is modern based on private enterprise. Belgium's economy takes advantage of
its strategic location as the crossroads of Western Europe and has a
diversified industrial and commercial base. GDP per capita is among the
highest in the world at US$25,300. Only four percent of the population
lives below the poverty line, with an eight percent unemployment rate.
Maps:
Political Map -
Physical Map
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