Belgium
Kingdom of Belgium
Capital: Brussels
History
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. Its capital, Brussels, is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.
Geography
Metric Units
|
Total Area
|
30,528
sq km
|
| Land Boundaries |
1,385
km
|
| Border Countries |
France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km |
| Coastline |
66.5
km
|
| Terrain |
flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast |
| Minimum Elevation |
0
m
|
| Maximum Elevation |
694
m
|
| Climate |
temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy |
| Natural Resources |
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates |
| Arable Land |
27.06% |
| Permanent Crops |
0.72% |
Economy
Budget & Debt
Trade
| Exports |
$314.6 billion |
| Export Items |
machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs |
| Export Partners |
Germany 18.7%, France 16.9%, Netherlands 12.5%, UK 7.2%, Italy 4.6%, US 4.5% (2011) |
| Imports |
$325.2 billion |
| Import Items |
raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products |
| Import Partners |
Netherlands 19.9%, Germany 15%, France 10.8%, UK 6%, US 5.3%, Ireland 4.5%, China 4.2% (2011) |
People
Energy
