Belgium

A Collage of Culture, History and Natural Beauty

Being in the centre of Europe, Belgium is a state which is known to be the country of charming medieval cities, great chocolate and the rich history. Belgium has something to offer every visitor with the cosmopolitan streets of Brussels, to the absolutely beautiful canals of Bruges, a company of history, culture and natural beauty would surely ravish you. Go wandering around its cobbled streets in old towns, immerse yourself in the delicious pleasure of fine Belgian beer, or just admire the works of art and architecture, Belgium will definitely give you an unrivalled experience.

To obtain all information about Belgium, look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Belgium

In case you want to find more information regarding Belgium, such as its flag, language, area, currency, and population, you can produce and download free  this information by visit in  Random Country Generator tool. 

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Geographical Location

Belgium is a state which is situated on the territory of Western Europe, and it is framed by France in the south, Germany in the east and Luxembourg in the southeast and the Netherlands in the north. On the West, Belgium borders on the North Sea. It is quite a small country and takes an area of approximately 30,528 square kilometers hence one of the small countries in the European continent, but which carries great cultural and historical importance.

By the strategic place, Belgium has been a place where European politics, business and even culture have crossed since many centuries.

Natural Formations and Features

Landscape in Belgium is varied and includes coastal plains on the North Sea, valleys of the rivers Scheldt and Meuse, the Ardennes Mountain range in the south. Ardennes is a hilly area cut by deep valleys with forestation where hiking, an outdoor sport is a popular activity. Conversely, the northern Belgium is flatter and it contains polders, agricultural fields and numerous cities of Flanders region.

Another feature of the geography of Belgium is the Meuse River that is found in Belgium running between France and the Netherlands and hence is an important feature in the country with scenic views and also part of the history of the country.

Climate

Belgium lies in between temperate and maritime climate with moderate winters and fairly warm summers. Summer temperature average is between 15 C and 25 C (59 F to 77 F), and winter averages between 3 C and 6 C (37 F to 43 F). Weather in Belgium has been affected by the Atlantic Ocean, thus it comes with moderate rainfall distribution all year round, with the rainfall being concentrated in autumn and winter than in spring and summer.

The most befitting period to visit Belgium will be during spring (April to June) or the fall (September to October) where the weather is favorable and the landscapes of Belgium are at their best.

History Ancient and Medieval

Belgium starts her history with Romans, who had the region as Gallia Belgica that was part of the Roman Empire. The Romans constructed fortresses, roads, and cities of which a few can still survive until these days, one of being the town of Tongeren which is the oldest city in Belgium.

Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the area came under the rule of Germanic tribes, and during the Middle Ages the country constituted a scattering of duchies and counties. Flanders was one of the richest areas of the Middle Ages, which produced a lot of goods through the textile industry, trade and arts.

The Belgian State Rise

During the 16 th century, Belgium belonged to Habsburg Netherlands and it had been taken over by Spain. This was an era of religious and political agitation, and ended up in the Eighty Years War (15681648), which eventually split the Spanish Netherlands into the independent Dutch Republic and the then Belgium.

After the Belgian Revolution of 1830, Belgium gained its independence on the United Kingdom of the Netherlands to become a constitutional monarchy with King Leopold I as king. The high history of political stability and neutrality enabled the country to prosper in the 19 th and 20 th centuries.

Belgium during the World Wars

Having its central location in Europe, Belgium also became a battlefield in World War I and World War at II. The battle of the Bulge fought during the World War two in the Ardennes region ranks among the most important ones fought during that war. The Allied Forces had liberated Belgium in 1944 and post-war Belgium became one of the countries that formed the European Union.

Modern Belgium

Belgium today is a constitutional monarchy and a federal state with a well established economy, rich cultural heritage and also a large political influence especially with its capital Brussels who is the de facto capital of the European Union. Some of the industries that contribute to the economy of Belgium include automobile industries, technological, financial and food industries.

Diversity in Ethnicity and Religion

Belgium is a culturally diverse nation and the country is mainly split into two major linguistic groups namely: Flemish (spoke Dutch) on the north and the Walloon (spoke French) in the south. Its capital Bissau, Bussels speaks French and Dutch.

The culture of Belgium depicts its French, Dutch and Germanic influences and the country is rich in the tradition of art, architecture and food. Historically, the Roman Catholic was the primary religion

in Belgium, where there is an increasing number of secular communities and protestant communities as well.

Art, Architecture and Literature

Belgium historically has had a strong artistic history especially in painting. Among the pioneers in the artistic background of the early renaissance was the Flemish Primitives involving Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden. Peter Paul Rubens, of the most renowned Baroque painters, was born in the 16th century and he turned out to be the most prominent artist of the Flemish school.

Beautiful architecture is also found in Belgium in the form of the Gothic Cathedrals of Bruges and Antwerp and also in the form of the buildings in Brussels in the Art Nouveau style by the architect Victor Horta.

Belgian literature is rich in writers like Georges Simenon, the author of the famous detective by the name Jules A. Maigret, and Am slowly Nothomb whose novels have become well known abroad.

Food and Beers

The cuisine of Belgium is well-known all over the world, especially its chocolate (there are world famous Belgian fries, and Belgian waffles). A typical Belgian dish is the mussels with fries or maisles frites.

Belgium is also referred to as a country of beer where you will be surprised by a vast range of craft beers, abbey ales, and trappist beers produced all over this land. Since 2016 Belgian beer has been listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.

Big Festivals and Celebrations

Christmas and Easter holidays are very popular in Belgium, and the official religious ceremonies with the processions, mass in church, and family celebrations are a must. St. Another significant celebration within Flemish, as well as Walloon society, is the day of Nicholas (December 6).

Special Days and National Holidays

Belgian National Day On July 21st the anniversary of the establishment of the Belgian Kingdom in 1831 is celebrated. The day is celebrated by fireworks, concerts, and parades.

Cultural Festivals

The country of Belgium includes a lot of impressive cultural festivals among which the Brussels Flower Carpet (August), Gentse Feesten (Ghent Festival) and the Carnival of Binche with its color display costumes and being a UNESCO listed event could be mentioned.

The Economy: Farming, Manufacturing and Commerce

Economic Development

Belgium is a country with a very advanced economy, with the development of such industries as industry, services, and technology. It is a global pioneer in the trade and financial sector especially by hosting one of the largest seaports in Europe, Port of Antwerp.

Agriculture

The agricultural sector of Belgium is relatively insignificant in relation to agricultural sector, yet the produce is known to be of good quality, and this includes vegetables, milk products and meat.

Trade and Trade

Belgium has an industrialized establishment that comprises chemicals, textiles, automobile industries as well as pharmaceuticals. The country is among the biggest exporters within European Union and also very much well in relation of trade with neighbor countries.

Sights in Belgium Not to Be Missed

1. Brussels

The Grand Place, Atomium, Manneken Pis as well as the European Parliament occupy the capital city of Belgium.

2. Bruges

Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities of Belgium and is well-known by its medieval architecture and romantic canals as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage site.

3. Ghent

Ghent is a lively city with rich middle age castles, canals and exorbitant architecture such as Gravensteen Castle and St. Bavo Cathedral.

4. Antwerp

The city is known especially because of its diamond district, the fashion industry and the museums in town, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Rubenshuis.

5. Waterloo

History lovers must visit the site, which is the historic battle ground where Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in the year 1815, at Waterloo.

6. Ardennes

Outdoor enthusiasts will not be disappointed by the stunning scenery of the Ardennes that is ideal to hike, bike, visit picturesque villages and the smallest town of the world, Durbuy.

Healthcare System

Belgium is providing a universal health care which is considered as one of the top in the world. There are public and privately owned facilities in healthcare in the country.

Education System

The education system in Belgium is very strong and primary and secondary education is free. Sophisticated post secondary schools like Universite catholique de louvain and universite libre de bruxelles offer higher education.

Infrastructure and Transport

Belgium has superior transport infrastructure which is comprised of high-speed trains, buses, and international airports such as Brussels Airport.

Urban Development

Cities in Belgium are a combination of modern buildings and historical ones as well as green areas, so they are very nice places to stay and spend time.

Best Time to Visit: Travelers Tips

Ideal time to visit Belgium would be during spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November) since the weather is pleasant and the flow of tourists is low.

Special Event and Festivals

Some of the key events to enjoy are Brussels Flower Carpet, Gentse Feesten and Carnival of Binche.

conclusion:

Belgium is a combination of history, great art and natural fascinating beauty. Be it a walk through the medieval town of Bruges or a bite of the Belgian chocolate or a Belgian beer, this beautiful country is surely going to give you an unforgettable experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Belgium?

Visitors should come either in spring (March to May) or in autumn (September to November) when the weather is favorable and may have a more enjoyable visit since the tourist sites are not full of people.

What are the Belgian best attractions?

The belgian top attractions are Brussels, Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Waterloo.

Which are languages spoken in Belgium?

The three languages that are of official use in Belgium include: Dutch, French, Germans but Dutch is the most prevalent one.

Is Belgium tourist friendly?

Yes, Belgium can be regarded as quite a safe country to visit with a rate of crime being low and an attitude toward tourists being friendly.

Which cultures festivals in Belgium should I attend?

Belgium has some of the prominent cultural festivals like the Brussels Flower Carpet, Gentse Feesten, and Carnival of Binche.