Belgium: Geography

The World Factbook 1993: Belgium Geography

Location: Western Europe, bordering on the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands

Area: total area: 30,510 km2 land area: 30,230 km2 comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries: total 1,385 km, France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km

Coastline: 64 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: equidistant line with neighbors exclusive fishing zone: equidistant line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast) territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Natural resources: coal, natural gas

Land use: arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 20% forest and woodland: 21% other: 34%

Irrigated land: 10 km2 (1989 est.)

Environment: air and water pollution

Note: crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of the EC