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This page was last updated on 18 December 2008


Map of Belgium



Legend: DefinitionDefinition Field ListingField Listing Rank OrderRank Order
   Introduction    Belgium Top of Page
Background:
Definition Field Listing
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
   Geography    Belgium Top of Page
Location:
Definition Field Listing
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing
50 50 N, 4 00 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing
Europe
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 30,528 sq km
land: 30,278 sq km
water: 250 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing
about the size of Maryland
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing
total: 1,385 km
border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing
66.5 km
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit
continental shelf: median line with neighbors
Climate:
Definition Field Listing
temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing
flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing
lowest point: North Sea 0 m
highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
Land use:
Definition Field Listing
arable land: 27.42%
permanent crops: 0.69%
other: 71.89%
note: includes Luxembourg (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing
400 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Definition Field Listing
20.8 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Definition Field Listing
total: 7.44 cu km/yr (13%/85%/1%)
per capita: 714 cu m/yr (1998)
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing
flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing
the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing
crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
   People    Belgium Top of Page
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10,403,951 (July 2008 est.)
Age structure:
Definition Field Listing
0-14 years: 16.3% (male 864,287/female 828,435)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,476,802/female 3,416,383)
65 years and over: 17.5% (male 751,745/female 1,066,299) (2008 est.)
Median age:
Definition Field Listing
total: 41.4 years
male: 40.2 years
female: 42.7 years (2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.106% (2008 est.)
Birth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10.22 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10.38 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Net migration rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Sex ratio:
Definition Field Listing
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 5.06 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total population: 79.07 years
male: 75.9 years
female: 82.38 years (2008 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.65 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0.2% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10,000 (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
fewer than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing
noun: Belgian(s)
adjective: Belgian
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing
Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Religions:
Definition Field Listing
Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
Languages:
Definition Field Listing
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Definition Field Listing
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 16 years (2006)
Education expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6% of GDP (2004)
   Government    Belgium Top of Page
Country name:
Definition Field Listing
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium
conventional short form: Belgium
local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie
local short form: Belgique/Belgie
Government type:
Definition Field Listing
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Capital:
Definition Field Listing
name: Brussels
geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing
10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions; Dutch: gewesten); Brussels* (Bruxelles) capital region; Flanders* region (five provinces): Antwerpen (Antwerp), Limburg, Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders), Vlaams-Brabant (Flemish Brabant), West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders); Wallonia* region (five provinces): Brabant Wallon (Walloon Brabant), Hainaut, Liege, Luxembourg, Namur
note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities
Independence:
Definition Field Listing
4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing
21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing
7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing
based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing
chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Yves LETERME (20 March 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch
elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing
bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 10 June 2007 (next to be held no later than June 2011)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 19.4%, Open VLD 12.4%, MR 12.3%, VB 11.9%, PS 10.2%, SP.A-Spirit 10%, CDH 5.9%, Ecolo 5.8%, Groen! 3.6%, Dedecker List 3.4%, FN 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 9, Open VLD 5, MR 6, VB 5, PS 4, SP.A-Spririt 4, CDH 2, Ecolo 2, Groen! 1, Dedecker List 1, FN 1 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - CDV/N-VA 18.5%, MR 12.5%, VB 12%, Open VLD 11.8%, PS 10.9%, SP.A-Spirit 10.3%, CDH 6.1%, Ecolo 5.1%, Dedecker List 4%, Groen! 4%, FN 2%, other 2.8%; seats by party - CDV/N-VA 30, MR 23, VB 17, Open VLD 18, PS 20, SP.A-Spirit 14, CDH 10, Ecolo 8, Dedecker List 5, Groen! 4, FN 1
note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing
Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Marianne THYSSEN]; Dedecker List [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Bart SOMERS]; Groen! [Mieke VOGELS] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; VlaamsProgressieven (Flemish Progressives) or VP [Bettina GEYSEN] - formerly Spirit; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS]
Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Isabelle DURANT, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel HUYGENS]; Reform Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing
Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries
other: numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing
ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Dominique STRUYE DE SWIELANDE
chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900
FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
consulate(s): Atlanta
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing
chief of mission: Ambassador Sam FOX
embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels
mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710
telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111
FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red
note: the design was based on the flag of France
   Economy    Belgium Top of Page
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing
This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is more than 85% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004-07. Economic growth and foreign direct investment are expected to slow down in 2008, due to credit tightening, falling consumer and business confidence, and above average inflation. However, with the successful negotiation of the 2008 budget and devolution of power within the government, political tensions seem to be easing and could lead to an improvement in the economic outlook for 2008.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$376.5 billion (2007 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
Definition Field Listing
$453.6 billion (2007 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.8% (2007 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$36,200 (2007 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 24.5%
services: 74.4% (2007 est.)
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.94 million (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing
agriculture: 2%
industry: 25%
services: 73% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
7.5% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Definition Field Listing
lowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Definition Field Listing
28 (2005)
Investment (gross fixed):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
21.3% of GDP (2007 est.)
Budget:
Definition Field Listing
revenues: $220.1 billion
expenditures: $221 billion (2007 est.)
Public debt:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
84.6% of GDP (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.8% (2007 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
6.98% (31 December 2007)
Stock of money:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the Euro Area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 15 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money and quasi money circulating within their own borders
Stock of quasi money:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
NA
Stock of domestic credit:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$767.7 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
Definition Field Listing
sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Industries:
Definition Field Listing
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2.8% (2007 est.)
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
82.94 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
85.54 billion kWh (2006 est.)
Electricity - exports:
Definition Field Listing
9.035 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing
15.78 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
8,671 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
628,500 bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
528,700 bbl/day (2005)
Oil - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.119 million bbl/day (2005)
Oil - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
17.39 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
17.34 billion cu m (2007 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
0 cu m (1 January 2006)
Current account balance:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$3.282 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$322.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Exports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Germany 19.5%, France 16.7%, Netherlands 11.9%, UK 7.6%, US 5.7%, Italy 5.2% (2007)
Imports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$323.2 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)
Imports - commodities:
Definition Field Listing
machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Imports - partners:
Definition Field Listing
Germany 17.7%, Netherlands 17.6%, France 11.2%, UK 6.2%, US 5.4%, Ireland 4.9%, China 4.1% (2007)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$16.51 billion (2007 est.)
Debt - external:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$1.313 trillion (30 June 2007)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$678.2 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$540.1 billion (2007 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
$422.7 billion (2006)
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing
euro (EUR)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003)
   Communications    Belgium Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
4.668 million (2007)
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
10.23 million (2007)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing
general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities
domestic: nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing
25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing
.be
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
3.841 million (2008)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
5.22 million (2007)
   Transportation    Belgium Top of Page
Airports:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
43 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 27
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 9 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Definition Field Listing
total: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 15 (2007)
Heliports:
Definition Field Listing
1 (2007)
Pipelines:
Definition Field Listing
gas 1,562 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2007)
Railways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 3,536 km
standard gauge: 3,536 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2006)
Roadways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 152,256 km
paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways)
unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)
Waterways:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2006)
Merchant marine:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
total: 79
by type: bulk carrier 20, cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, container 6, liquefied gas 20, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 10
foreign-owned: 6 (Denmark 4, France 2)
registered in other countries: 111 (Bahamas 15, Cyprus 2, France 6, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 3, Liberia 4, Luxembourg 7, Malta 15, Mozambique 2, Netherlands 2, Netherlands Antilles 1, Panama 2, Portugal 1, Portugal 7, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 8, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 8, Vanuatu 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals:
Definition Field Listing
Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge
   Military    Belgium Top of Page
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing
Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Command (2008)
Military service age and obligation:
Definition Field Listing
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2008)
Manpower available for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 16-49: 2,407,128
females age 16-49: 2,340,039 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Definition Field Listing
males age 16-49: 1,973,167
females age 16-49: 1,915,990 (2008 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Definition Field Listing
male: 64,659
female: 61,881 (2008 est.)
Military expenditures:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order
1.3% of GDP (2005 est.)
   Transnational Issues    Belgium Top of Page
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing
none
Illicit drugs:
Definition Field Listing
growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy

This page was last updated on 18 December 2008


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