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Belgium Surrenders
'''Belgium''' ('''België''' in [[Dutch language|Dutch]], '''Belgique''' in [[French language|French]], and '''Belgien''' in [[German language|German]]) is a country located in [[Western Europe|Western]] [[Europe]], bordered by the [[Netherlands]], [[Germany]], [[Luxembourg]], [[France]], and the [[North Sea]]. Belgium is at a cultural crossroad between the [[Germanic language|Germanic]] Europe (with [[Dutch language|Dutch]] speakers in the North, the [[Flemings]]) and the [[Romance language|Romance]] Europe (with [[French language|French]] speakers in the South), which is reflected in its complex institutions and [[Politics of Belgium|political history]].
<table style="margin: 0 0 1em 1em" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" align="right" width="318px">
<caption><font size="+1">'''Koninkrijk België'''</font> ([[Dutch language|Dutch]])<br />
<font size="+1">'''Royaume de Belgique'''</font> ([[French language|French]])<br />
<font size="+1">'''Königreich Belgien'''</font> ([[German language|German]])</caption>
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<td style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan="2">
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<td align="center" width="150px">
[[Image:Belgium flag large.png|125px|Flag of Belgium]]</td>
<td align="center" width="150px">
[[Image:Belgium_coat_of_arms_small.png|Belgium: Coat of Arms]]</td>
</tr>
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<td align="center" width="150px">([[Flag of Belgium|In Detail]])</td>
<td align="center" width="150px">
([[Coat of Arms of Belgium|Full size]])</td>
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</table>
</td>
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<td align="center" colspan="2" style="border-bottom:3px" solid="">
<font size="-1">''[[List of state mottos|National motto]]: L'union fait la force''
([[French language|French]])<br>
''Eendracht maakt macht'' ([[Dutch language|Dutch]])<br>
(Unity provides strength)''</font> </td>
</tr>
<tr><td align=center colspan=2>[[image:LocationBelgium.png]]</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>[[Official language]]s</td>
<td>[[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[French language|French]], [[German language|German]]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[Capital]]</td>
<td>[[Brussels]]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[List of Belgian monarchs|King]]</td>
<td>[[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II]]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[List of Prime Ministers of Belgium|Prime Minister]]</td>
<td>[[Guy Verhofstadt]]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[Area]]<br>
- Total<br>
- % water</td>
<td>[[List of countries by area|Ranked 136th]]<br>
[[1 E10 m2|30,510 km²]]<br>
6.20%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[Population]]<br>
- Total (2002)<br>
- [[Population density|Density]]</td>
<td>[[List of countries by population|Ranked 77th]]<br>
10,309,725<br>
338/km²</td>
</tr>
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<td>[[Independence]]<br>
- Declared<br>
- Recognised</td>
<td>From the [[Netherlands]]<br>
[[1830]]<br>
[[1839]]</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[Currency]]</td>
<td>[[Euro]] (€, EUR, see [[Belgian euro coins]]; Prior to [[1999]]: Belgian [[franc]], BEF)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[Time zone]]</td>
<td>[[UTC]] +1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>[[National anthem]]</td>
<td>[[Brabanconne|La/de Brabançonne]]</td>
</tr>
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<td>[[Top-level ___domain|Internet TLD]]</td>
<td>.BE</td>
</tr>
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<td>[[List_of_country_calling_codes|Calling Code]]</td>
<td>32</td>
</tr>
</table>
== History ==
''Main article: [[History of Belgium]]''
Geographically and culturally, Belgium is at the crossroads of Europe, and during the past 2,000 years has witnessed a constant ebb and flow of different [[race]]s and [[culture]]s. Consequently, Belgium is one of Europe's true [[melting pot]]s with [[Celts|Celtic]], [[Roman Empire|Roman]], [[Germanic peoples|Germanic]], [[France|French]], [[Netherlands|Dutch]], [[Spain|Spanish]], and [[Austria]]n cultures having made an imprint.
The earliest named inhabitants of Belgium were the [[Belgae]]. They were (mostly) Celtic tribes, living in northern [[Gaul]] and overcome by [[Julius Caesar]] in [[54 BC]], as described in his chronicle ''[[De Bello Gallico]]''. After the [[Roman Empire]] collapsed ([[5th century|5th Century AD]]), Germanic tribes invaded the Roman province of "Gallia". One of these people, the [[Franks]], finally installed a new kingdom under the rulers of the [[Merovingian Dynasty]]. [[Clovis]] was the most famous of these kings: he converted to [[Christianity]] and ruled from northern France, but his empire included today's Belgium. Christian scholars, mostly [[Ireland|Irish]] [[monk]]s preached Christianity and started [[Religious conversion|conversion]] work under the pagan invaders. The Merovingians were rather short-lived, as the [[Carolingian Dynasty]] took over: after [[Charles Martel]] countered the [[Moor]]ish invasion from Spain ([[721|721 AD]] - Poitiers), their famous king [[Charlemagne]] brought a huge part of Europe under his rulership and was [[Crown (headgear)|crowned]] as the "[[Emperor]] of the [[Holy Roman Empire]]" by the [[pope]] himself ([[800|800 AD]]).
European [[Feudalism]] became the base for [[armed force|military]], [[politics|political]] and [[economics|economical]] stability. Christianity flourished under the protection of these rulers and by the founding of religious communities and [[monastery|monasteries]], [[church]]es and [[pilgrimage]]s.
The region was later associated with the [[Netherlands]], under [[Burgundy|Burgundian]] then [[Spain|Spanish]] rule, until the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] provinces took their independence (see [[Netherlands]]). Then followed [[Austria]]n rule, and a few years of [[France|French]] rule under [[Napoleon]]. After [[Napoleon]]'s demise, in [[1815]], [[Belgium]] was reunited with the [[Netherlands|northern provinces]] in the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]] until the [[Belgian Revolution]] in [[1830]], which established an independent Belgian state. The Belgian revolution was initiated by the French-speaking minority who controlled the factories and other economical resources and who didn't want to live under a Dutch-speaking administration.
The Belgian King, [[Leopold I of Belgium|Leopold I]], was hand-picked by the British. The country was also forced by the British to remain neutral in the future at all cost. This neutrality was violated in 1914 when [[Germany]] invaded Belgium as part of the [[Schlieffen Plan]], and this was used as an excuse by the British to declare war on Germany. After a period of alliance with France after the First World War, Belgium tried to return to neutrality in the [[1930s]], but was once again invaded by [[Germany]] in [[1940]]. After [[World War II]], the policy of neutrality was abandoned, and Belgium joined [[NATO]] and the [[European Economic Community]].
Belgium has had one colony during its history: [[Belgian Congo|Congo]], which was given to [[Leopold II of Belgium|King Leopold II]] in the [[Conference of Berlin]] in [[1885]]. He made the land his private property and called it '[[Congo Free State]]'. In this Free State, the local population was brutalised in exchange for [[rubber]], a growing market with the developement of rubber tires. In 1908, the international pressure against the cruelties of King Leopold became so great that Leopold II was forced to give his property to the Belgian state as a colony. From then on, it became [[Belgian Congo]], before gaining independence from Belgium in [[1960]].
Since the [[20th century]], the history of Belgium became more and more dominated by the increasing autonomy of its two main communities, the Flemish and the French-speakers. As an indication of this, since around 1970, there are no national Belgian political parties anymore, but only Flemish or French-speaking parties. The regular attempts to establish national, Belgian parties end up below 1% of the electorate; the Brussels parties either never got started (as the 'Blauwe Leeuwen' en 'Rode Leeuwen' for the Flemings in Brussels), or got merged into one of the French-speaking liberal parties (FDF). As such, the political landscape shows a near-perfect dual political system, reflecting the two underlying dominant communities.
== Politics ==
''Main article: [[Politics of Belgium]]''
Since the country's federalisation there are many [[Politics of Belgium|governmental]] entities; apart from the [[Federalism|Federal]] Government there is a subdivision according to language into Communities, with the [[French Community_in_Belgium|French(-speaking) Community]], the [[Flemish Community of Belgium|Flemish Community]] and the [[German_speaking_community_in_Belgium| German-speaking Community]], and another subdivision into Regions: the [[Wallonia|Walloon Region]], the [[Flemish Region]] and the [[Brussels-Capital Region]].
However, the Flemish Community and the Flemish Region have been joined together to form one government, see [[Flanders]].
Behind these complex institutions, one notes the two dominant components of the Belgian state: the [[Flemings]] and their political institutions under the [[Flemish governement]]; and the French-speakers, grouped under the [[French Community in Belgium|French(-speaking) Community]] and its more fragmented institutions. All political parties in Belgium belong to one of these two communities, except for a small German-speaking party and some marginal parties in Brussels. However, these only attract votes from one of the two communities in Brussels. Thus, there are no national parties active over all the Belgian territory. In short, the Belgian political landscape carefully mirrors the dual nature of Belgian society.
Thus:
* '''Federal government''': Jurisdiction over matters of national interest (e.g. [[Foreign affairs]], [[defence]]/[[Belgium/Military|Military]], economy, [[social welfare]] and [[social security|security]], transport, telecommunications, etc.)
* '''Community governments''': Language, culture and education. (e.g. Schools, Libraries, Theatre, etc.)
* '''Regional governments''': Land and property based issues within their area (zoning, housing, transportation, etc.)
For example, a school building in Brussels belonging to the public school system would be regulated by the regional government of Brussels. The school as an institution however would fall under the regulations of either the Flemish government, if the primary language of teaching is Dutch, or the French Community government, if the primary language is French. It is a complex, somewhat unstable and expensive, but peaceful compromise that allows distinctly different cultures to live together.
== Communities, regions & provinces ==
''Main article: [[Regions and provinces of Belgium]]''
<div style="float:right;padding:10px;">
[[Image:map-b-prov.gif|Map of Belgium with provinces]]<br>Map
</div>
So, Belgium is divided into three communities, the [[Flemish community of Belgium|Flemish community]], the [[French community of Belgium|French-speaking community]] and the [[German-speaking community of Belgium|German-speaking community]], and in three regions: [[Brussels-Capital Region|Brussels]] (mainly Dutch- and French-speaking, with a population of 960,000), [[Flanders]] (mainly Dutch-speaking, with a population of 6,000,000), and [[Wallonia]] (mainly French-speaking, with a population of 3,300,000). The later two regions are each divided into 5 provinces, together 10.
Between brackets is the local name of each province, in either French or Dutch:
#[[Flanders]] (Dutch speaking; ''Vlaanderen'' in Dutch, ''Flandre'' or ''Flandres'' in French):
#*[[Antwerp (province)|Antwerp]] (Antwerpen)
#*[[Limburg (Belgium)|Limburg]]
#*[[East Flanders]] (Oost-Vlaanderen)
#*[[West Flanders]] (West-Vlaanderen)
#*[[Flemish Brabant]] (Vlaams-Brabant)
#[[Wallonia]] (French speaking; ''Wallonie'' in French, ''Wallonië'' in Dutch):
#*[[Walloon Brabant]] (Brabant Wallon)
#*[[Namur (province)|Namur]]
#*[[Liege (province)|Liège]]
#*[[Hainaut]]
#*[[Luxembourg, province of Belgium|Luxembourg]]
#The [[Brussels-Capital Region]] (''Région de Bruxelles-Capitale'' in French, ''Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest'' in Dutch, ''Die Region Brüssel-Hauptstadt'' in German).
Each provincial entity (including the Brussels region) is further divided into smaller [[municipality|municipalities]], called ''gemeenten'' in Dutch and ''communes'' in French (see [[List of Belgian municipalities]] and [[List of Belgian municipalities by population]]).
The main cities and their population are Brussels (959,318), [[Antwerp]] (445,570), [[Ghent]] (224,685), [[Charleroi]] (200,233), and [[Liège]] (184,550).
== Geography ==
''Main article: [[Geography of Belgium]]''
[[Image:Be-map.png|right|Map of Belgium with cities]]
Belgium has an area of 30,510 [[square kilometre|km²]]. Belgium has three main physical regions: the [[coast]]al [[plain]] (located in the northwest), the central [[plateau]], and the [[Ardennes]] uplands (located in the southeast).
The coastal plain consists mainly of [[sand]] [[dune]]s and [[polder]]s. Polders are areas of land, close to or below [[sea level]], that have been reclaimed from the sea from which they are protected by [[Dike (construction)|dike]]s, or, further inland, fields that have been drained by [[canal]]s.
The second physical region, the central plateau, lies further inland. This is a smooth, slowly rising area which has many [[Fertility|fertile]] [[valley]]s and is [[irrigation|irrigated]] by many [[waterway]]s. Here one can also find rougher land, including [[cave]]s and small [[gorge]]s.
The third physical region (called the Ardennes) is somewhat more rugged than the first two. It is a thickly [[forest]]ed plateau, very rocky and not very good for [[agriculture|farming]], which extends into northern France. This is where much of Belgium's [[wildlife]] can be found.
The two main [[river]]s in Belgium are the [[Schelde]] and the [[Maas River|Maas]]. These two rivers bring prosperity to [[Tournai]], [[Ghent]], [[Antwerp]], [[Bruges]], [[Liège]] and [[Namur]]. Although generally flat, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and forested in the southeast ([[Ardennes]]) region, where one can find Belgium's highest point, the [[Signal de Botrange]] at only 694 metres.
The [[climate]] is cool, temperate, and [[rain]]y; [[summer]] [[temperature]]s average 25°C / 77°F, [[winter]]s average 7.2°C / 45°F. Annual extremes (rarely attained) are -12.2°C / 10°F and 32.2°C / 90°F.
== Economy ==
''Main article: [[Economy of Belgium]]''
Densely populated Belgium is located at the heart of one of the world's most highly industrialised regions. One of the first countries to undergo an [[Industrial Revolution|industrial revolution]] on the continent of Europe in the early [[1800s]], Belgium developed an excellent transportation infrastructure of ports, canals, [[railway]]s, and [[highway]]s to integrate its industry with that of its neighbours. One of the founding members of the [[European Union]], Belgium strongly supports deepening the powers of the EU to integrate European economies. Belgium was one of the first countries to adopt the [[euro]], the single European currency, in January [[1999]] and the Belgian [[franc]] was completely replaced by [[euro coins]] and [[euro banknotes|banknotes]] in early [[2002]].
Belgium is sometimes called "The heart of Europe". This is not only because of its geographical ___location, but also due to many international institutions having their headquarters in Brussels, such as [[NATO]] (''others''). This, in its turn, is because it has an excellent transportation system. It has a modern and toll-free road system, is connected to the European railway system, and [[Antwerp]] is the second largest European [[harbor|port]].
The economy in Belgium greatly depends on its imports and exports. Its main imports are: food products, machinery, rough [[diamond]]s, [[petroleum]] and petroleum products, chemicals, clothing and accessories, and [[textile]]s, and its main trade partners are Germany, The Netherlands, France, the [[United Kingdom]], [[Italy]], the [[United States]], and [[Spain]]. Its main exports are [[automobile]]s, food and food products, [[iron]] and [[steel]], diamonds, textiles, [[plastics]], petroleum products, and nonferrous metals. Trade is made together with Luxembourg, since these two countries created a customs and [[currency]] union in [[1922]].
== Demographics ==
''Main article: [[Demographics of Belgium]]''
The [[population density]], 336/km², is one of the highest in Europe, after the Netherlands and some smaller countries such as [[Monaco]].
There are three official languages, [[Dutch language|Dutch]], [[French language|French]] and [[German language|German]]. More than half of the country is Dutch-speaking (56%-60%), French is the second largest (40%-44%) and German is spoken by less than 1% of the population, although these figures must be taken with care since the last linguistic [[census]] dated before [[1960]]. [[Brussels]], the capital, is mostly French speaking, but officially French/Dutch bilingual as it is completely enclosed within the Flemish region and as it evolved from a Dutch-speaking place when the Belgian state came to independency (1830) to its current French character being the capital of the central administration of the federal country.
Over 98% of the adult population is literate. School is obligatory from the age of 6 until the age of 18, but most Belgian students keep on studying until the age of 23. This makes Belgium's education system the second most intensive in Europe, after the UK's.
==Religion==
''Main article: [[Religion of Belgium]]''
In Belgium [[Roman Catholicism]] is the majority religion, accounting for between 75% and 80% of the population, although nowadays only about 10% to 20% of the population regularly goes to church. Other religions widely practiced in Belgium are [[Islam]], [[Protestantism]], and [[Judaism]].
Religion was one of the differences between the Roman Catholic south and the Protestant north of the [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]], which eventually broke up in [[1830]] when the south seceded to form Belgium. This accounts for the preponderance of Catholics there nowadays.
Since 1830, Catholicism has had also an important role in Belgium's politics. One example is the so-called "school wars" ("''guerres scolaires''" in French) between liberals and Catholics which took place between [[1879]] and [[1884]] for the first one and between [[1954]] and [[1958]] for the second one.
Between [[World War I]] and [[World War II]] the centre of [[occult]] and [[mystical]] activity was shifted from [[France]] to [[Belgium]]. Belgium became the main centre for many brotherhoods and secret societies of which many branches still exist today.
== Culture ==
''Main article: [[Culture of Belgium]]''
The country is well known for its art, its great [[architecture]], its [[beer]], its [[food]], and its [[chocolate]].
Belgium has a variety of famous artists. These include [[Peter Paul Rubens]], [[René Magritte]], [[Jan van Eyck]], [[Breughel]], [[Memling]], [[Ensor]], [[Delvaux]]. René Magritte is probably the most famous Belgian artist. He, together with Paul Delvaux, are two major artists of the surrealistic style. Many great French authors went to Belgium for refuge. Another type of art is music, [[Adolphe Sax]] inventing the [[saxophone]] in around 1840. He appeared on the former Belgian 200 Belgian francs (BEF) banknotes.
In architecture the name [[Victor Horta]] is well known. He was one of the originators of the [[Art Nouveau]] architecture, a style of architecture which had a major impact upon 20th century buildings.
Belgium has a large variety of museums and temporary expositions. Some of the most impressive museums in Belgium are The Royal Museum for Fine Arts, in Antwerpen, which has an admirable collection of works by Peter Paul Rubens, and The Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels, which has a cinema, a concert hall, and artworks of many periods.
Belgium is well represented in the world of sport, [[soccer]] being very popular. The national soccer team is called the [[Red Devils]], and they are ranked as 16th by [[FIFA]]. . However, Belgium also has two female [[tennis]] players in the top 20; [[Kim Clijsters]] (#2) and [[Justine Henin-Hardenne]] (#1). Belgium has also performed well in [[cycling]]. One of the greatest cyclists ever, [[Eddy Merckx]], who won 5 [[Tour de France|Tours de France]], five [[Giro d'Italia]], one [[Vuelta a Espana]], two Tours of Belgium, and one Tour of Switzerland, was Belgian. Belgium has world champions in [[motocross]], [[judo]] and [[table tennis]].
Many gourmets think that Belgium has the second best food in Europe, after French food. Brands of Belgian chocolate, like [[Neuhaus]], [[Cote d'Or]], [[Leonidas]], [[Godiva]] are world renowned, the praline having been invented in Belgium. In Belgium there are over 450 different kinds of beer, those of the [[Trappist]] monks being the most prestigious. Technically, it is an [[ale]] and traditionally each abbey's beer is served in its own glass (the forms, heights and widths are different). Belgians have a reputation for loving [[French fries]]. The fried [[potato]] strips are sold at many small shops and stands (often at train stations) and are known locally as ''frieten'' in Dutch and ''frites'' in French, though not as 'French fries'.
Some [[Belgian cuisine]] is exported all over the world. Other less known snacks are [[speculaas]] (a sweet, crunchy cookie) and [[waffle]]s. As main courses Belgians have [[mussel]]s with [[french fries]], [[endive]] prepared in a special way, [[Brussels sprout]]s, Gentse [[waterzooi]] (a casserole made up of chicken and vegetables).
Festivals play a major role in Belgium's cultural life. Nearly every city and town has its own festival, some that date back several centuries. And these aren't just tricks for tourism, but real, authentic celebrations that take months to prepare. Two of the biggest festivals are the three-day [[carnival]] at [[Binche]], near [[Mons]], held just before [[Lent]] (the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter), and the Procession of the Holy Blood, held in [[Bruges]] in May. During the carnival in Binche, "Gilles" lead the procession, which are men dressed in high, plumed hats and bright costumes.
Another part of Belgian traditions is the comic strip. Belgium has numerous cartoonists, such as [[Hergé]] ([[Tintin]]), [[Willy Vandersteen]] ([[Bob & Bobette]] or "Suske en Wiske" in the original Dutch), [[Morris]] ([[Lucky Luke]]), [[Peyo]] ([[Smurfs|The Smurfs]]), [[Marc Sleen]] ([[Nero]]). <!--Make a holiday table with information in the next paragraphs. -->
An important holiday (which is however not an official public holiday) takes place each year on [[December 6]]. This is ''Sinterklaas dag'' in Dutch or ''la Saint-Nicolas'' in French (English: ''[[Feast of Saint Nicholas]]''). This is sort of an early Christmas. On [[December 5]] evening before going to bed, kids put their shoes by the hearth with some water or wine and a carrot for Saint Nicholas's horse or [[donkey]]. Supposedly St. Nicholas then comes at night and travels down the chimney. He then takes the food and water or wine, puts down presents, goes back up, feeds his horse or donkey, and continues his course. He also knows whether kids have been good or bad. This holiday is especially loved by children in Belgium and the Netherlands. <!--The previous paragraph should be partially moved into a new article specifically about the day of Saint Nicholas. -->
Belgians also celebrate a variety of international, but mostly Christian holidays; such as [[Christmas]], [[Epiphany]] (Three King's Day), [[Easter]], [[New Year]], [[Valentine's Day]].
''See also:'' [[Music of Belgium]]
==Related topics==
*[[Communications in Belgium]]
*[[Transportation in Belgium]]
*[[Belgium facts]]
*[[Military of Belgium]]
*[[Foreign relations of Belgium]]
*[[Tourism in Belgium]]
*[[List of Belgium-related topics]]
*[[List of Belgians]]
*[[List of Belgian monarchs]]
*[[List of Belgian postal codes]]
*[[Picard language]] (spoken in Wallonia)
*crime: [[Marc Dutroux]]
== External links ==
*[http://www.Belgium.be Official site of the Belgian Federal Government]
*[http://www.vlaanderen.be Official site of the Flemish Government] - in Dutch
*[http://www.flanders.be Official site of the Flemish Region and Community] - in English
*[http://gov.wallonie.be/hp/hp.asp Official site of the Walloon Region] - in French
*[http://www.brussels.irisnet.be/En/Homeen.htm Official site of the Brussels-Capital Region] - in English
*[http://www.cfwb.be/gouver Official site of the French Community] - in French
*[http://www.dglive.be/gb/index.html Official site of the German Community] - in English
*[http://noosphere.cc/flanders.html A Concise Description of Flanders] - in English
*[http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/BelgCul.html An overview of Belgium]
*[http://Belgium.rootsweb.com/bel/_places/index.html Places in Belgium]
* [http://www.rsf.fr/article.php3?id_article=4116 Worldwide Press Freedom Index] Rank 12 out of 139 countries (2 way tie)
*Justice:
**[http://www.just.fgov.be/proces-arlon/en/ Court of assizes]
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Belgium is also a [[curse]] word in the radio series and US version of the [[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy]].
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