The Kingdom of Belgium /ˈbɛldʒəm/ (help·info) is a country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO.[3] Belgium covers an area of 
30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of about 10.7 million.
Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home for two main linguistic groups, the Flemings and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons, plus a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 59% of the population, and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 31%. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region and has 10% of the population.[4] A small German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia.[5] Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.[6][7]
The name 'Belgium' is derived from Gallia Belgica, a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul that was inhabited by the Belgae, a mix of Celtic and Germanic peoples.[8][9] Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed "the cockpit of Europe"[10]—a reputation strengthened by both World Wars. Upon its independence, Belgium eagerly participated in the Industrial Revolution[11][12] and, at the end of the nineteenth century, possessed several colonies in Africa.[13] The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of communal conflicts between the Flemings and the Francophones fuelled by cultural differences on the one hand and an asymmetrical economic evolution of Flanders and Wallonia on the other hand. These still-active conflicts have caused far-reaching reforms of the unitary Belgian state into a federal state.
30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of about 10.7 million.Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home for two main linguistic groups, the Flemings and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons, plus a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 59% of the population, and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 31%. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region and has 10% of the population.[4] A small German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia.[5] Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.[6][7]
The name 'Belgium' is derived from Gallia Belgica, a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul that was inhabited by the Belgae, a mix of Celtic and Germanic peoples.[8][9] Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed "the cockpit of Europe"[10]—a reputation strengthened by both World Wars. Upon its independence, Belgium eagerly participated in the Industrial Revolution[11][12] and, at the end of the nineteenth century, possessed several colonies in Africa.[13] The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of communal conflicts between the Flemings and the Francophones fuelled by cultural differences on the one hand and an asymmetrical economic evolution of Flanders and Wallonia on the other hand. These still-active conflicts have caused far-reaching reforms of the unitary Belgian state into a federal state.
Capital
Brussels50°51′N 4°21′E / 50.85°N 4.35°E / 50.85; 4.35
Largest metropolitan area
Brussels Capital Region
Official languages
Dutch, French, German
Demonym
Belgian
Government
Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy
-
King
Albert II
-
Prime Minister
Herman Van Rompuy
Independence
-
Declared
4 October 1830
-
Recognized
19 April 1839
EU accession
25 March 1957
Area
-
Total
30,528 km2 (139th)11,787 sq mi
-
Water (%)
6.4
Population
-
2008 estimate
10,666,866[1] (76th [2005])
-
2001 census
10,296,350
-
Density
344.32/km2 (2006) (29th [2005])892/sq mi
GDP (PPP)
2008 estimate
-
Total
$389.518 billion[2]
-
Per capita
$36,235[2]
GDP (nominal)
2008 estimate
-
Total
$506.392 billion[2]
-
Per capita
$47,107[2]
Gini (2000)
33 (medium) (33rd)
HDI (2008)
▲ 0.948 (high) (17th)
Currency
Euro (€)1 (EU)
Time zone
CET (UTC+1)
-
Summer (DST)
CEST (UTC+2)
Internet TLD
.be
Calling code
32
1 History
2 Government and politics
3 Communities and regions
4 Geography, climate and environment
5 Economy
6 Demographics
6.1 Urbanization
6.2 Languages
6.3 Education
6.4 Religion
7 Science and technology
8 Culture
8.1 Fine arts
8.2 Folklore
8.3 Sports
8.4 Cuisine
9 See also
10 References
10.1 Footnotes
10.2 General online sources
10.3 Bibliography
11 External links
2 Government and politics
3 Communities and regions
4 Geography, climate and environment
5 Economy
6 Demographics
6.1 Urbanization
6.2 Languages
6.3 Education
6.4 Religion
7 Science and technology
8 Culture
8.1 Fine arts
8.2 Folklore
8.3 Sports
8.4 Cuisine
9 See also
10 References
10.1 Footnotes
10.2 General online sources
10.3 Bibliography
11 External links
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