Kingdom of Belgium

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Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in North-western Europe. It is situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries. Belgium is bordered by the Netherlands to the north. Germany is to the east. Luxembourg lies to the southeast. France is to the south. The North Sea is to the west.

Belgium covers an area of 30,689 km2 (11,849 sq. mi) and has a population of more than 11.7 million; its population density of 383/km2 (990/sq. mi) ranks 22nd in the world and sixth in Europe. The capital and largest metropolitan region is Brussels;[d] other major cities are Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, Liège, Bruges, Namur, and Leuven.

Capital: Brussels

Area: 30,689 km²

Population: ~11.7 million

Languages: Dutch, French, German

Top 10 Tourist Attractions:

Grand Place, Brussels
Atomium, Brussels
Manneken Pis, Brussels
Bruges’ Canals
Ghent’s Castle of the Counts
Antwerp’s Cathedral of Our Lady
The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken
Hallerbos Forest
Chocolate Museums (Brussels & Bruges)
Battle of Waterloo Site

Timeline of History:

1830: Belgium gains independence from the Netherlands.

1914-1918 & 1940-1945: Occupied during both World Wars.

1993: Belgium becomes a federal state, recognizing Dutch, French, and German as official languages.

Culture: It is known for its blend of Dutch, French, and German influences. There is a strong focus on art, comics, and culinary excellence. René Magritte & Surrealism, Comic books (Tintin, The Smurfs), World-famous Belgian beer, Belgian chocolate and waffles.

Politics: Federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. King Philippe and Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (as of 2024). Brussels is often called the Capital of Europe since it hosts the European Union headquarters.