Belgium | History, Capital, Language, Flag, Facts & Geography of Belgium

History of Belgium:

Belgium gets its name from the region’s first settlers. They were a Celtic tribe called the Belgae. The Belgae lived in Belgian territory until 100 BC. Conquered by the Roman Empire. The area was a productive province of the Roman Empire for the next 300 years.

As the Roman Empire began to disappear, Germanic tribes invaded and took over Belgium. Northern Belgium became very Germanish during this time, getting to know the language and culture. Southern Belgium remained Roman and spoke Latin. Over the next 100 years, Belgium was ruled by various dynasties and empires. For a time they were under the control of the Spaniards, then under the control of the Austrian Habsburg Empire.

Belgium’s location has made it the center of many European industries, including textiles, commerce and the arts. Metropolises such as Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent have grown into world-class cities. Due to its central European location, Belgium has been the scene of many wars, including German invasions in World War I and World War II.

After being conquered during the Napoleonic Wars, Belgium became part of France in 1795. After the war it became part of the Netherlands. However, this too did not last long as the Belgian people rose up and rebelled against the Dutch. In 1830 they gained independence.

Due to cultural differences in Belgium, there are official borders within the country that divide the country into different languages. They have completely different governments. The north is Dutch-speaking and the south is French-speaking. There is also a small German-speaking area in the east.

Information about Belgium:

Flag of Belgium:

Belgium Economy Key Industries:

Belgium Major Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Belgium Agricultural Products: sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk

Belgium Natural Resources: construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Belgium Major Exports: machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs

Belgium Major Imports: machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products

The Geography of Belgium:

Total Size of Belgium: 30,528 km2 (source: 2022 The world factbook)

Geographical Low Point of Belgium: North Sea 0 m

Geographical High Point of Belgium: Signal de Botrange 694 m

Climate of Belgium: Temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

General Terrain of Belgium: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

World Region or Continent of Belgium:  Europe

Geographical Coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E

The People of  Belgium & Culture

Belgium Government Type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Belgium Nationality: Belgian(s)

Belgium National Holiday: 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I

Belgium Independence: 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne)

Belgium National Symbol: lion

Belgium National Anthem or Song: La Brabanconne (The Song of Brabant)

Belgium Languages Spoken: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Belgium Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Interesting Facts about Belgium:

Belgium became an independent country in 1830. Located in Western Europe, it consists of her three federal regions: Flanders in the north, Wallonia in the south, and Brussels in the center.

The official name is “Kingdom of Belgium” and King Philippe of Belgium is the current monarch.

Belgium has her three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Contrary to what many people think, Flemish is not a language. This is a dialect group, or simply how people from northern Belgium and Flanders speak Dutch.

The word “spa” comes from the city spa in the province of Liège, Belgium. The spa is world-famous for its many natural mineral springs, and over time the name of the town has become synonymous with spas offering therapeutic baths, hot springs, or spa treatments.

Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo, a town south of Brussels.

Are you looking for interesting facts about Belgium? Brussels and Washington, D.C. have the highest number of diplomats and foreign press correspondents in the world.

Europe’s largest agricultural, forestry and food trade fair, Foire de Libramont, takes place in Belgium.

Belgium has the highest number of castles per square kilometer in the world. A famous example is the Countess of Flanders of Ghent.

Belgium has one of the highest rates of income tax and social security tax in the world. The highest income tax rate applies to singles with no children.

His three famous Belgian cartoons are ‘Tintin’, ‘Smurfs’ and ‘Lucky Luke’.

Football’s first international match was held in Brussels in his 1904.

Football is still one of Belgium’s most popular sports.

In 1990, King Baudouin of Belgium was dethroned for 36 hours. He opposed the abortion law the government was trying to pass, so the government deposed him from the throne, signed the law, and made him king again.

Odd little Belgium holds the world record for longest government ever. The country had no government for 541 days, and another 200 days before the top 65 executive branches were split.

After the Bible, the most translated book in the world is the book about Inspector Maigret by Liege writer Georges Simenon.

In Belgium he introduced television in 1953, with his two channels in Dutch and French. Another interesting fact about Belgium is that it is one of the few countries where education is compulsory until the age of 18.

Belgium is, after Spain, the only country in the world with two living kings. Albert, the father of the current King Philippe, continues to hold the title of “King” even after his abdication.

Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world and transports more than 80% of his rough diamonds worldwide. There are many diamond shops outside Antwerp Central Station. Brussels International Airport is the world’s largest point of sale for chocolate.

There are many interesting things to consider when considering the history and culture of Belgium. For example, this country can claim to be where his two printed newspapers, the first in the world, were printed in 1605. One was printed in Strasbourg, the other in Antwerp by Abraham Verhoeven and in northern Flanders.

The first Belgian car called Winke was built in his 1894. Automobiles Winke produced several models until production ceased in 1905.