Independence Year : 1830
Population : 10239000
Life Expectancy : 77.8
Capital : 179
GNP : 249704.00
GNP Old : 243948.00
Local Name : België/Belgique
Government Form : Constitutional Monarchy, Federation
Location : Western Europe
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
Ethnic Group : Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Religions : Predominantly Roman Catholic (although less than 20% practicing); Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, Anglican, Greek and Russian Orthodox recognized.
Official Website :
www.belgium.be/
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General Information - Belgium
Background
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II.
It has 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.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)
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