Belgium is a small country located in Western Europe, bordered by France to the south, the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, and Luxembourg to the southeast. The capital and largest city is Brussels, and the official languages are Dutch, French, and German. With a population of over 11.6 million people, Belgium is one of the most densely populated countries in Europe.

Belgium has a highly developed economy, with a focus on services, industry, and trade. The country is known for its production of chocolate, beer, and waffles, as well as its diamond industry. Major sectors include finance, transportation, and telecommunications. Agriculture is also important, with major crops including wheat, potatoes, and sugar beets.

Belgium is a federal parliamentary democracy, with a King serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister serving as the head of government. The country is divided into three regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels. Flanders is predominantly Dutch-speaking, while Wallonia is predominantly French-speaking. Brussels is a bilingual region, with both Dutch and French as official languages. Belgium is a member of the European Union, the United Nations, and NATO, among other international organizations.

Belgium has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its history as part of various empires and as a battleground during World War I and World War II. The country has a variety of festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including the Gentse Feesten in Ghent and the Carnaval de Binche, a UNESCO-listed event featuring traditional costumes and masks.

Despite its many strengths, Belgium faces challenges such as linguistic and regional tensions, as well as economic difficulties such as high public debt and unemployment. The country has taken steps to address these issues, including implementing economic reforms and investing in infrastructure and education.

National holiday
Belgian National Day (ascension to the throne of King LEOPOLD I), 21 July (1831)

Telephone Code
32

Local Emergency Phone
112 (cell)/ 101

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

http://www.who.int/

Climate
Temperate; mild winters, cool summers, rainy, humid, cloudy

Currency (Code)
Euro (EUR)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E

Major Languages
Dutch, French, German

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant and other Christian 2.5%, Muslim 5%, Jewish 0.4%, Buddhist 0.3%, atheist 9.2%, none 32.6%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Brussels (includes Grote Markt (Grand Place) and Saint-Cyr House); Brugge (includes Market Square and Basilica of the Holy Blood); Antwerp; Ghent; Waterloo

Major Sports
Soccer, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, badminton

Cultural Practices
Cleanliness is a source of pride in Belgium, where people can be seen washing the pavement in front of their house or sweeping the street.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping in restaurants is not expected because a 10-15% service charge is generally applied to a bill. Tips are not expected in taxis, but feel free to let your driver keep the change as a gratuity.

Souvenirs
Handmade lace, woven tapestries and rugs, diamonds, beer, chocolate, perfume, antiques

Traditional Cuisine
Moules-frites — fresh mussels cooked in olive oil and white wine with garlic, thyme, and shallots served with potato fries

Geography
Area
total: 30,528 sq km
land: 30,278 sq km
water: 250 sq km

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

Natural resources
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land

People and Society
Population
11,913,633 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Belgian 75.2%, Italian 4.1%, Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Turkish 2%, Dutch 2%, other 10.6% (2012 est.)

Languages
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%

Religions
Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 2.3%, other Christian, 2.8%, Muslim 6.8%, other 1.7%, atheist 9.1%, nonbeliever/agnostic 20.2% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate
0.55% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Capital
name: Brussels

Economy
Economic overview
high income economy with strong but moderate growth; high public debt; aging labor force; low labor force participation of low-skilled, migrant, and older workers; strong welfare system; high congestion; complex business permitting and judicial systems

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$599.814 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$51,700 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sugar beets, milk, potatoes, wheat, pork, lettuce, poultry, maize, barley, pears

Industries
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, base metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Exports
$515.625 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 17%, France 14%, Netherlands 13%, United Kingdom 8%, United States 6%, Italy 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, diamonds, natural gas (2019)

Imports
$509.018 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Netherlands 16%, Germany 13%, France 10%, United States 8%, Ireland 5%, China 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
cars, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, diamonds, natural gas (2019)