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{bitmap= 26,50,"flags\Belgium.bmp"}
{bigtext=150,120,"Belgium"}
{1}Geography{4}
{4}To see a map of Belgium, click {z,"2.390123,48.826003,6.908442,52.153215",here}{4}!
{2}Location:{4} Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
{2}Area:{4}
{3}total area:{4} 30,510 sq km
{3}land area:{4} 30,230 sq km
{3}comparative area:{4} slightly larger than Maryland
{2}Land boundaries:{4}
{3}total:{4} 1,385 km
{3}border countries:{4} France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
{2}Coastline:{4} 64 km
{2}Maritime claims:{4}
{3}continental shelf:{4} median line with neighbors
exclusive fishing zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)
{3}territorial sea:{4} 12 nm
{2}International disputes:{4} none
{2}Climate:{4} temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
{2}Terrain:{4} flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest
in southeast
{3}lowest point:{4} North Sea 0 m
{3}highest point:{4} Signal de Botrange 694 m
{2}Natural resources:{4} coal, natural gas
{2}Land use:{4}
{3}arable land:{4} 24%
{3}permanent crops:{4} 1%
{3}meadows and pastures:{4} 20%
{3}forest and woodland:{4} 21%
{3}other:{4} 34%
{2}Irrigated land:{4} 10 sq km (1989 est.)
{2}Environment:{4}
{3}current issues:{4} Meuse River, a major source of drinking water, polluted from steel production
wastes; other rivers polluted by animal wastes and fertilizers; industrial air pollution contributes to
acid rain in neighboring countries
{2}natural hazards:{4} flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by
concrete dikes
{2}international agreements:{4} party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic Treaty,
Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine
Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Wetlands; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air
Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Law of the Sea
{2}Geographic note:{4} crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000
km of Brussels which is the seat of the EU
{1}People{4}
{2}Population:{4} 10,170,241 (July 1996 est.)
{2}Age structure:{4}
{3}0-14 years:{4} 18% (male 930,919; female 886,632)
{3}15-64 years:{4} 66% (male 3,380,105; female 3,326,853)
{3}65 years and over:{4} 16% (male 663,760; female 981,972) (July 1996 est.)
{2}Population growth rate:{4} 0.33% (1996 est.)
{2}Birth rate:{4} 12 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
{2}Death rate:{4} 10.3 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
{2}Net migration rate:{4} 1.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
{2}Sex ratio:{4}
{3}at birth:{4} 1.06 male(s)/female
{3}under 15 years:{4} 1.05 male(s)/female
{3}15-64 years:{4} 1.02 male(s)/female
{3}65 years and over:{4} 0.68 male(s)/female
{3}all ages:{4} 0.96 male(s)/female (1996 est.)
{2}Infant mortality rate:{4} 6.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
{2}Life expectancy at birth:{4}
{3}total population:{4} 77.09 years
{3}male:{4} 73.86 years
{3}female:{4} 80.51 years (1996 est.)
{2}Total fertility rate:{4} 1.69 children born/woman (1996 est.)
{2}Nationality:{4}
{3}noun:{4} Belgian(s)
{3}adjective:{4} Belgian
{2}Ethnic divisions:{4} Fleming 55%, Walloon 33%, mixed or other 12%
{2}Religions:{4} Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%
{2}Languages:{4} Dutch 56%, French 32%, German 1%, legally bilingual 11% (divided along ethnic
lines)
{2}Literacy:{4} age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
{3}total population:{4} 99%
{3}male:{4} NA%
{3}female:{4} NA%
{1}Government{4}
{2}Name of country:{4}
{3}conventional long form:{4} Kingdom of Belgium
{3}conventional short form:{4} Belgium
{3}local long form:{4} Royaume de Belgique
{3}local short form:{4} Belgique
{2}Type of government:{4} constitutional monarchy
{2}Capital:{4} Brussels
{2}Administrative divisions:{4} 9 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Flemish: provincien,
singular - provincie); Antwerpen, Brabant, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-
Vlaanderen, West-Vlaanderen
{3}note:{4} constitutional reforms passed by Parliament in 1993 increased the number of provinces to
10 by splitting the province of Brabant into two new provinces, Flemish Brabant and Walloon
Brabant
{2}Independence:{4} 4 October 1830 (from the Netherlands)
{2}National holiday:{4} National Day, 21 July (ascension of King LEOPOLD to the throne in 1831)
{2}Constitution:{4} 7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional
package creating a federal state
{2}Legal system:{4} civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of
legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
{2}Suffrage:{4} 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
{2}Executive branch:{4}
{3}chief of state:{4} King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993) is a constitutional monarch
{3}head of government:{4} Prime Minister Jean-Luc DEHAENE (since 6 March 1992) was appointed by
the king and then approved by Parliament
{3}cabinet:{4} Cabinet is appointed by the king and approved by Parliament
{2}Legislative branch:{4} bicameral Parliament
Senate (Flemish - Senaat, French - Senat): elections last held 21 May 1995 (next to be held by
the end of 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (71 total, 40 directly elected; 31 will
be indirectly elected at a later date) CVP 7, SP 6, VLD 6, VU 2, AGALEV 1, VB 3, PS 5, PRL 5,
PSC 3, ECOLO 2; note - before the 1995 elections, there were 184 seats
Chamber of Deputies(Flemish - Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordig: elections last held 21 May
1995 (next to be held by the end of 1999); results - CVP 17.2%, PS 11.9%, SP 12.6%, VLD
13.1%, PRL 10.3%, PSC 7.7%, VB 7.8%, VU 4.7%, ECOLO 4.0%, AGALEV 4.4%, FN 2.3%;
seats - (150 total) CVP 29, PS 21, SP 20, VLD 21, PRL 18, PSC 12, VB 11, VU 5, ECOLO 6,
AGALEV 5, FN 2; note - before the 1995 elections, there were 212 seats
{2}Judicial branch:{4} Supreme Court of Justice (Flemish - Hof van Cassatie, French - Cour de
Cassation), judges are appointed for life by the Belgian monarch
{2}Political parties and leaders:{4} Flemish Christian Democrats (CVP - Christian People's Party),
Johan VAN HECKE, president; Francophone Christian Democrats (PSC - Social Christian Party),
Gerard DEPREZ, president; Flemish Socialist Party (SP), Louis TOBBACK, president;
Francophone Socialist Party (PS), Philippe BUSQUIN, president; Flemish Liberal Democrats
(VLD), Herman DE CROO, president; Francophone Liberal Reformation Party (PRL), Louis
MICHEL, president; Francophone Democratic Front (FDF), Olivier MAINGAIN, president;
Volksunie (VU), Bert ANCIAUX, president; Vlaams Blok (VB), Karel DILLEN, chairman; National
Front (FN), Daniel FERET, president; AGALEV (Flemish Greens), no president; ECOLO
(Francophone Greens), no president; other minor parties
{2}Other political or pressure groups:{4} Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian
Industries; 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 the Flemish Action Committee
Against Nuclear Weapons and Pax Christi
{2}International organization participation:{4} ACCT, AfDB, AG (observer), AsDB, Australia Group,
Benelux, BIS, CCC, CE, CERN, EBRD, ECE, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA,
IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, MTCR, NACC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),
OECD, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCRO, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMOGIP,
UNPROFOR, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, ZC
{2}Diplomatic representation in US:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Andre ADAM
{3}chancery:{4} 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
{3}telephone:{4} [1] (202) 333-6900
{3}FAX:{4} [1] (202) 333-3079
{3}consulate(s) general:{4} Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
{2}US diplomatic representation:{4}
{3}chief of mission:{4} Ambassador Alan J. BLINKEN
{3}embassy:{4} 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels
{3}mailing address:{4} APO AE 09724, PSC 82, Box 002, Brussels
{3}telephone:{4} [32] (2) 508-2111
{3}FAX:{4} [32] (2) 511-2725
{2}Flag:{4} three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the
flag of France
{1}Economy{4}
{2}Economic overview:{4} This small 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, although the
government is encouraging reinvestment in the southern region of Walloon. 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. Two-
thirds of its trade is with other EU countries. The economy grew at a strong 4% annual pace
during the period 1988-90, slowed to 1% in 1991-92, dropped by 1.5% in 1993, and recovered
with moderate 2.3% growth in 1994 and 1995. Belgium's public debt has risen to 140% of GDP,
and the government is trying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line with other
industrialized countries.
{2}GDP:{4} purchasing power parity - $197 billion (1995 est.)
{2}GDP real growth rate:{4} 2.3% (1995 est.)
{2}GDP per capita:{4} $19,500 (1995 est.)
{2}GDP composition by sector:{4}
{3}agriculture:{4} 2%
{3}industry:{4} 28%
{3}services:{4} 70% (1994)
{2}Inflation rate (consumer prices):{4} 1.6% (1995 est.)
{2}Labor force:{4} 4.126 million
{3}by occupation:{4} services 63.6%, industry 28%, construction 6.1%, agriculture 2.3% (1988)
{2}Unemployment rate:{4} 14% (1995 est.)
{2}Budget:{4}
{3}revenues:{4} $NA
{3}expenditures:{4} $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA
{2}Industries:{4} engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and
beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
{2}Industrial production growth rate:{4} NA%
{2}Electricity:{4}
{3}capacity:{4} 14,040,000 kW
{3}production:{4} 66 billion kWh
{3}consumption per capita:{4} 6,334 kWh (1993)
{2}Agriculture:{4} sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
{2}Illicit drugs:{4} source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment
point for cocaine entering the European market
{2}Exports:{4} $108 billion (f.o.b., 1994) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU)
{3}commodities:{4} iron and steel, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, petroleum products
{3}partners:{4} EU 67.2% (Germany 19%), US 5.8%, former Communist countries 1.4% (1994)
{2}Imports:{4} $140 billion (c.i.f., 1994) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union
{3}commodities:{4} fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs
{3}partners:{4} EU 68% (Germany 22.1%), US 8.8%, former Communist countries 0.8% (1994)
{2}External debt:{4} $31.3 billion (1992 est.)
{2}Economic aid:{4}
donor: ODA, $808 million (1993)
{2}Currency:{4} 1 Belgian franc (BF) = 100 centimes
{2}Exchange rates:{4} Belgian francs (BF) per US$1 - 30.036 (January 1996), 29.480 (1995), 33.456
(1994), 34.597 (1993), 32.150 (1992), 34.148 (1991)
{2}Fiscal year:{4} calendar year
{1}Transportation{4}
{2}Railways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 3,396 km (2,363 km electrified; 2,563 km double track)
standard gauge: 3,396 km 1.435-m gauge (1995)
{2}Highways:{4}
{3}total:{4} 137,876 km
{3}paved:{4} 129,603 km (including 1,667 km of expressways)
{3}unpaved:{4} 8,273 km (1992 est.)
{2}Waterways:{4} 2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use)
{2}Pipelines:{4} crude oil 161 km; petroleum products 1,167 km; natural gas 3,300 km
{2}Ports:{4} Antwerp, Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge
{2}Merchant marine:{4}
{3}total:{4} 23 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 64,220 GRT/83,360 DWT
{3}ships by type:{4} bulk 1, cargo 8, chemical tanker 5, liquefied gas tanker 3, oil tanker 6 (1995 est.)
{2}Airports:{4}
{3}total:{4} 42
{3}with paved runways over 3,047 m:{4} 6
{3}with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m:{4} 9
{3}with paved runways 1,524 to 2,437 m:{4} 2
{3}with paved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 1
{3}with paved runways under 914 m:{4} 21
{3}with unpaved runways 914 to 1,523 m:{4} 3 (1995 est.)
Heliports: 1 (1995 est.)
{1}Communications{4}
{2}Telephones:{4} 5.691 million (1992 est.)
{2}Telephone system:{4} highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated
domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities
{3}domestic:{4} nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio
relay network
{3}international:{4} 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1
Eutelsat
{2}Radio broadcast stations:{4} AM 3, FM 39, shortwave 0
{2}Radios:{4} 100,000 (1992 est.)
{2}Television broadcast stations:{4} 32 (1987 est.)
{2}Televisions:{4} 3,315,662 (1993 est.)
{1}Defense{4}
{2}Branches:{4} Army, Navy, Air Force, National Gendarmerie
{2}Manpower availability:{4}
{3}males age 15-49:{4} 2,571,588
{3}males fit for military service:{4} 2,135,375
males reach military age (19) annually: 61,986 (1996 est.)
{2}Defense expenditures:{4} exchange rate conversion - $4.6 billion, 1.7% of GDP (1995)