Dialing code +32
ISO 2 code BE
ISO 3 code BEL
Capital Brussels
Main Language Dutch
Currency Euro (EUR)
GDP $390.5 billion 28th
Population 10,403,000 80th

Geography

Continent Europe
Location Western Europe bordering the North Sea between France and the Netherlands
Land 30,510 km2 141st
Terrain Flat coastal plains in northwest central rolling hills rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Climate Temperate; mild winters cool summers; rainy humid cloudy
Natural Hazards Flat coastal plains in northwest central rolling hills rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Note: Crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1 000 km of Brussels the seat of both the European Union and NATO

Neighbouring Countries

France Germany Luxembourg Netherlands

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.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 79.22 years 29th
Median Age 41.7 years 10th
Birth Rate 10.15 births/1,000 population 178th
Death Rate 10.44 births/1,000 population 56th
Sex Ratio 0.71 male(s)/female 145th
Literacy 99.0% 33rd
Population

10.4 million

Transportation

Roadways 152256 km 33rd
Railways 3233 km 53rd
Airports 42 101st
Waterways 2043 km 42nd
Heliports 1 89th
Airports paved 1 192nd

Economy

Currency Euro (EUR)
GDP $390.5 billion 28th
GDP per capita (PPP) $37500 25th