Information about BelgiumBelgium is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO. It covers an area of 30,528 km2 (11,787 square miles) and has a population of about 10.5 million.
Belgium shares borders with France (620 km), Germany (167 km), Luxembourg (148 km) and the Netherlands (450 km). Its total area, including surface water area, is 33,990 square kilometres; land area alone is 30,528 km2. Belgium has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north-west and the central plateau both belong to the Anglo-Belgian Basin; the Ardennes uplands in the south-east are part of the Hercynian orogenic belt. The Paris Basin reaches a small fourth area at Belgium's southernmost tip, Belgian Lorraine.
Three languages are prevalent in Belgium. Flemish is typically spoken in the North, French in the South and German around the Eastern border.
Major cities include Aalst, Antwerpen(Antwerp), Brugge(Bruges), Brussel(Brussels), Charleroi, Genk, Gent, Hasselt, Kortrijk, La Louvi re, Leuven, Liege, Mechelen, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Roeselare, Seraing, Sint-Niklaas and Tournai. |
