For United nepalese in the world
Belgium's home minister is angry
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Geography Area: 32,547 square kilometers (12,566 sq. mi.), about the size of Maryland. People Population (2004): 10,396,421; urban--69%. Annual population growth rate: 0.4%. Density: 861 per sq. mi. Linguistic regions - (Dutch-speaking) Flanders 58%; (French-speaking) Wallonia 31.7%; (legally bilingual) Brussels Capital Region 9.6%; German-speaking 0.7%. Religions: Predominantly Roman Catholic, with Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Anglican, Greek and Russian Orthodox, as well as secularism, "recognized" religions receiving government subsidies. Languages: Dutch, French, German. Education: Literacy --98%.
Government Type: Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch. Independence: 1830. Constitution: 1994 (revised). Branches: Executive --King (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government), Cabinet. Legislative --bicameral parliament (Senate and House of Representatives). Flemish Parliament and government for regional and community affairs; Walloon Regional Parliament and government for Walloon regional affairs; Francophone Community Parliament and government for Francophone community affairs; Brussels Regional Parliament and government for Brussels regional affairs; and German-language Community Parliament and government for community affairs. Political subdivisions: Ten provinces, three regions, three communities, 589 municipalities.
Economy GDP (PPP) (2004 est.): $355.5 billion. Annual real growth rate (2004): 2.7%. Per capita income (PPP) (2004): $34,518. Natural resources: Coal. Agriculture: (1.4% of GDP) Products --livestock, including dairy cattle, grain, sugarbeets, nursery products, flax, tobacco, potatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. Industry: (24% of GDP) Types --machinery, iron, coal, textiles, chemicals, glass, pharmaceuticals, manufactured goods. Trade (2003 est.): Exports --$189.2 billion: Iron and steel, coal, transportation equipment, tractors, diamonds, petroleum products. Imports --$173 billion: Fuels, chemical products, grains, foodstuffs. Trading partners --EU 74%; United States 6%.
GEOGRAPHY AND PEOPLE Belgium is located in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea. Although generally flat, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and forested in the southeast (Ardennes) region. Climate is cool, temperate, and rainy; summer temperatures average 77°F, winters average 45°F. Annual extremes (rarely attained) are 10°F and 100°F.
Geographically and culturally, Belgium is at a crossroads of Europe, and during the past 2,000 years has witnessed a constant ebb and flow of different races and cultures. Consequently, Belgium is one of Europe's true melting pots with Celtic, Roman, Germanic, French, Dutch, Spanish, and Austrian cultures having made an imprint.
Belgium is divided ethnically into the Dutch-speaking Flemings and French-speaking Walloons, the 70,000 residents of the eastern German cantons, and the bilingual capital of Brussels. The population density is the second highest in Europe, after the Netherlands.
Before 50 BC Celtic tribes settle in the territory that is now Belgium. Approx. 50 BC Belgium comes under Roman rule. From 375 The Franks migrate from the Lower Rhine area to today's Flanders region. For this reason the Romance influence remains stronger in Wallonia to this day. From 890 Dissolution of the Carolingian Empire, division of the region into several counties, duchies, bishoprics and monastic estates; for a short time, Belgium is a part of Lorraine 12th to 14th century Economic and political prospering of the Flemish cities (cloth production)
king & queen of belgium
14th to 15th century The fragmentation is stopped by the Dukes of Burgundy, who temporarily become independent intermediaries between France and Germany. 1477 As a result of the marriage of the Burgundian Crown Princess Maria and Emperor Maximilian I, the greater part of today's Belgium comes into the possession of the Habsburgs. 1555 Legacy of Charles V divided and Belgium transferred to the Spanish crown 1714 After the Spanish War of Succession, the territory of today's Belgium falls to Austria. 1795 Annexation by France 1815 Belgium is annexed to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 1830 Belgium becomes an independent kingdom for the first time (Saxe-Coburg-Gotha dynasty). 1831 The first Belgian King, Leopold I, is sworn in (rules until 1865). 1865 Leopold II (rules until 1909) creates the Belgian colonial empire. From 1881 Establishment of a (royal) colony in the Congo 1908 The Belgian Congo is transferred to the Belgian state. 1909 Albert I (until 1934) gains high respect in World War I. 1919 Under the Treaty of Versailles, Belgium is given the regions of Eupen and Malmédy and assumes protectorship of Rwanda and Burundi (mandated territories). 1934 Succession of Leopold III (until 1951); the King does not go into exile in 1940, and is deported to Germany in 1944, returning only in 1950 1940-44 Belgium is occupied by German troops. 1949 Belgium becomes a (founding) member of NATO. 1950/51 Return of the King and abdication in favour of Baudouin I 1957 Belgium signs the Treaties of Rome (establishment of the EEC). 1960 The Congo is granted independence. 1962 Rwanda and Burundi gain independence. 1993 Albert II ascends the throne. 1994 Following constitutional reforms, Belgium becomes a federal state.
Belgium is member country of EU, capital of the EU is in Brussel.
