National name
Royaume de Belgique—Koninkrijk België
Government
Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch.
Geography
Located in western Europe, Belgium has about 40 mi of seacoast on the North Sea, at the Strait of Dover. The Meuse and the Schelde, Belgium’s principal rivers, are important commercial arteries.
Historical Background
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.
Capital
Brussels
Government
Federal parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy[2]
- King Albert II
- Prime Minister Yves Leterme (acting)
Language
Wallonia
National Holiday
Saint Nicholas Day
Religion
Belgium's
Area
30,528 km2 (139th) 11,787 sq mi
Population
- 1.1.2010 estimate 10,827,519[3] (76th)
- 2001 census 10,296,350
Density
354.7/km2 (33rd) 918.6/sq mi
Currency
Euro (€)1 (EUR)
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